The bill, which was recently introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller, would allow the secretary of Veterans Affairs to decide what employees at the VA get bonuses and awards. However, the American Federation of Government Employees argues the bill will only worsen problems that have plagued the agency. (In other words, let's continue giving bonuses to those who do substandard word...OM)
Last year, the VA became the center of controversy when dozens of military veterans died while waiting to get help. The issue has been blamed on everything from bureaucratic incompetence to the VA not having enough funding. (Just as in the past, addition funding has been wasted for things like Big Screen T.V.s and other things or like mismanagement of various V.A. construction projects including over budget BILLION dollar project in Colorado. Everything EXCEPT what is needed to improve service for the Veterans...OM)
The bill would also grant the secretary of Veterans Affairs the authority to take bonuses away from bad VA employees.
“It’s time to turn the page on morale-busting measures like Rep. Miller’s proposal and focus on the mission of delivering top-quality care to America’s veterans,” AFGE President J. David Cox Sr. declared in a statement.
“We can’t forget that it was strong-arm tactics like this that were used to retaliate against employees looking to speak out against secret wait lists and mismanaged care,” Cox argued.
“The VA needs more vehicles to reward good behavior and attract talented employees, not a cudgel to silence dissenting voices,” Cox said. “Secretary McDonald has charted a promising course for the VA, and our veterans will be best served if Congress follows suit and works to improve care and working conditions at the VA.” (What does Cox want, MORE MONEY?...OM)
AFGE National VA Council President Alma Lee argued, “Our focus must be on fulfilling the mission of the agency and not on legislation that arbitrarily punishes hard working employees.” (IF the employee doesn't perform, why should he/she get bonuses? If fact, why should they have a job. This also goes on at state government....OM)
Aleks Morosky, deputy director of the national legislative service for Veterans of Foreign Wars, disagrees, arguing that the bill could help award good workers.
During a hearing for the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Morosky declared, “The VFW agrees with this legislation.” (I wonder where Montell Williams was or did he get his publicity and has moved on to "more" important things?After all he did say he give the new secretary 90 days, that was back before Christmas. Oh I better be careful, he might block me on twitter because I asked the same thing...OM)
“Employees receive bonuses as an incentive and recognition for their superior work performance,” Morosky said. “But if a bonus is found, after the fact, to be awarded to an employee who manipulated data, put veterans at risk of harm or in some other way defrauded the government to receive that bonus, the Secretary should have the authority to recoup the bonus amount.” (IF any money is recouped, maybe just maybe the V.A. could improve the phone system so that homeless Vets can get in touch with the V.A. Call Center or improve computer security so that Veterans' personal data can not be hacked....OM)
Final questions: I realize that Veterans are not as sexy as the NFL deflated balls. The Veterans just defended the country. But you have to ask: Where is the outrage? Where is the coverage? Where are the "celebrities"? Where are the legal eagles?
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