A Page From Obama's Playbook: The BullChit Continues at VA

Everyone should remember the great fanfare when Robert McDonald was approved as Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary. Celebrity spokesman, Montel Williams appeared on "Your World with Neil Cavuto" said and I paraphrase "I'll give him 90 days". 

Its been six months and what has changed? NOT ONE DAMN THING!

Just as in the past, critters in congress and other politicians make promises, have hearings, spend money just to have Obama take it away, and still the same CHIT goes on.

Not only did Robert McDonald insult a decorated Marine and congressman, he has taken a page out of Boo Boo's book, lying on national T.V.

"Documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon cast doubt on claims made Sunday by the secretary for veterans affairs that 60 people who manipulated wait time data have been fired by the agency over the last half-year.

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald said on Sunday that the agency is improving and working toward holding officials accountable, firing 900 employees in the past six months.

“We’re making fundamental changes in the department. In terms of leadership, we’ve held accountable about 900 employees who are no longer with us, that were with us before,” McDonald said on NBC’s Meet the Press.

“900 people have been fired, since I became secretary. We’ve got 60 people that we fired who have manipulated wait times. We’ve got about 100 senior leaders who are under investigation now … so we’re holding people accountable.”

The appearance was McDonald’s first on a Sunday program since taking over the embattled agency in July 2014. McDonald replaced former-Secretary Eric Shinseki, who resigned after it was revealed that 40 veterans died while waiting to receive care at the Phoenix VA facility.

However, new documents obtained and viewed by the Washington Free Beacon raise questions about the information McDonald provided to NBC, specifically the claim that 60 employees were fired because they manipulated wait times.

According to these documents, as of Feb. 5, 2015, only 11 employees tied to wait time manipulations have been fired. (Union intervention?...OM)

The document, which was given to the Free Beacon by a Republican staffer, is sent to both the House and Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs for “official use only,” and “provides the Department’s weekly report on adverse employment actions initiated since June 3, 2014, on any basis related to patient scheduling, record manipulations, appointment delays, and/or patient deaths.”(What about how many Veterans were required to register their firearms?...OM)

The employees in the report are facing “adverse personnel actions,” which are either “proposed” or already “taken.”

The document lists the names of employees facing disciplinary action and their position title. For each employee, the report then notes the proposed disciplinary action, the date it was proposed, the action taken, and the effective date of each action.

Based on this report, from June 3, 2014, to February 5, 2015, the department has proposed a total of 74 personnel actions related to scheduling or record manipulation; five of them were actions against VA executives.

Eleven employees, three of whom held executive positions, are listed as having been removed. (That just 1.2% of the number that McDonald cited, Patriots should ask "what about the other 98.8%? Did they leave because of retirement, new jobs?...OM)

In other cases, employees are listed as resigning, being suspended, “demoted,” “admonished,” or “reprimanded.” In some cases, no disciplinary action was taken.

At least 15 cases are listed as “pending.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs did not respond to several requests for comment at press time.

Now is the time for McDonald to answer. "We (veterans) have served and defended our country. We were given a promise. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO KEEP THAT PROMISE?"...OM

Source: http://freebeacon.com/issues/documents-cast-doubt-on-claim-that-60-va-employees-have-been-fired-for-manipulating-wait-times/

Obama Says He Cares for the Veterans? How? By Stripping Funds?

Obama wants to strip funding from veterans' medical choice program

President Obama’s 2016 budget blueprint proposes rolling back a program that gives veterans the right to receive faster care outside of the long waitlists at the troubled Veterans Affairs medical system. (The Emperor giveth, The Emperor taketh away....OM)

Obama signed the Veterans Choice Program into law in August following months of partisan wrangling on Capitol Hill that finally led to a compromise measure to overhaul the agency.

The Veterans Choice Program was a key GOP provision in the deal.

Authored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the measure provides “choice” cards to veterans that can be used to obtain medical care at designated facilities outside of the VA system.

But Obama announced Monday he’ll send a legislative proposal to Congress that would allow the VA to raid the program's funding, now set at $10 billion.

Obama, in his fiscal 2016 spending blueprint, said the money is needed “to support essential investments in VA system priorities in a fiscally responsible, budget-neutral manner.”

Obama has requested a nearly 8 percent boost in funding for the beleaguered VA in 2016, for a total of $70.2 billion in discretionary spending. (Discretionary spending? Like bonuses for Union members that do substandard work, sounds like KY State government. OR for over budgeted VA center, should make people wonder what unions are involved in that boondoggle OR Big Screen T.V.s for information...OM)

Democrats have pushed for additional money for the VA to pay for new hospitals (Payback for Unions or BRIBES to UNIONS...OM) and more doctors, but Republicans contend that waste and mismanagement are the primary problems facing the VA, and the Choice Program gives vets a chance to escape the dysfunction by allowing them to receive outside medical care.

Veterans groups were angered by the move to divert funding from the program, noting that Obama had touted the legislation to reform the VA in the months leading up to the November election and did not express opposition to the choice cards.(Key phrase "leading up to the November election", REMEMBER the Socialist Clown in Chief & his minions will say ANYTHING to get elected....OM)

The program was funded to last until 2017 but would end sooner if money is diverted, critics said.

“That money was specifically allocated by him for the choice program,” Dan Caldwell, the legislative director for Concerned Veterans for America, told the Washington Examiner. “What that would do is cause the choice program to be a lot shorter and to inevitably serve fewer veterans.”

But in a conference call with reporters on Monday, officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs defended the move. They said the choice program was underused, and that many of the 8.6 million veterans who received cards said they would rather obtain care at VA facilities.

“What we are getting ... is that they are looking for more care within the VA system,” Helen Tierney, assistant VA secretary for management and the VA’s chief financial officer, said.

But veterans groups say the choice program rollout has been hindered by red tape, including a requirement that those who receive a choice card call the VA to determine whether they are actually eligible to use it.

Officials at the VA said they don’t know how much money they would like to shift from the program. Tierney said the VA has made “a tremendous number of calls to veterans,” and that the use rates are “much lower than anticipated.”

Tierney, however, said she did not know the specific use rates.

Republicans on Capitol Hill denounced the move and said they’d reject it.

“The president’s idea to reallocate a portion of Veterans Choice Program funding to other areas of VA is a complete non-starter, which I will not support,” House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, R-Fla., said. “When a near-unanimous Congress worked with President Obama last year to create the choice program, we made a promise to veterans to give them more freedom in their healthcare decisions. I will not stand idly by while the president attempts to renege on that promise.” (Everyone needs to REMEMBER, last year was an election year and does ANYONE really expect anything different from those critters, BOTH sides, seeking power. Not much difference from celebrities and "talking heads" who express outrage over the treatment/lack of treatment of American Veterans, then crickets....OM)

Source: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/obama-wants-to-strip-funding-from-veterans-medical-choice-program/article/2559681?custom_click=rss

Union Wants to Continue Paying for Substandard V.A. Care

A union representing government employees on Tuesday condemned a bill meant to reform how bonuses are awarded at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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?

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/01/28/union-condemns-va-reform-bill/

Our Veterans Still Facing Enemies Who Can Destroy Their Lives

Prior to the recent election, America was made aware of those who unselfishly gave up part of their lives to don the uniform of the American military were facing the broken promises of America just as those who went before them when it comes to receiving much needed healthcare from the VA.

Talking heads, T.V. and radio hosts jumped on the bandwagon, some even saying that they'll, "Give the VA 90 days for the VA to show some improvement" after Congress passed "emergency" funding and a new administrator was appointed and ratified. Where are they now?

Well, just as in the past there has been little improvement.

Some VA hospitals used the funding for big screen T.V.'s in the hospital, while the inpatient veterans were going without properly cleaned blankets.

Roughly 10% of all the Veterans Affairs patients are still waiting a month or more for appointments.

Now, though this may seem to be a minor problem for some, we learn that those who visit the VA are once again facing an enemy. This enemy may not take their physical lives but can take their personal lives.

Two years after a major security breach compromised the personal information of over 4,000 veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to suffer from systemic “security weaknesses,” according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

“While the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has taken actions to mitigate previously identified vulnerabilities, it has not fully addressed these weaknesses. … Until VA fully addresses previously identified security weaknesses, its information is at heightened risk of unauthorized access, modification, and disclosure and its systems at risk of disruption,” the report found.

The VA has experienced multiple high-profile breaches in recent years, and the report cautions that unless it corrects “underlying” security vulnerabilities in its systems, breaches are likely to continue and could result in unauthorized access and disclosure of personal information.

Many of the weaknesses identified in the report are not new, but the inspectors say the agency has failed to sufficiently address some of the “previously identified vulnerabilities.”

The VA Inspector General released a report in February 2013 that identified deficiencies in “management controls intended to ensure that VA’s critical systems have appropriate security baselines and up-to-date vulnerability patches,” and made recommendations to resolve the problems.

The VA said they completed the recommendations and would continue to improve those security controls but the recent inspection found that the VA failed to deliver on that promise.(Haven't "we" heard this before?...OM)

“The department has not yet effectively implemented a program to manage vulnerabilities and apply associated patches,” the report notes. “Until it does so, it will remain at increased risk that known vulnerabilities could be exploited.”

The IG made eight recommendations to correct the problems, but the agency appears to be off to a poor start implementing those.

The VA received a draft of the findings, and responded that six of the recommendations were implemented. However, the report notes that inspectors “are concerned that the actions VA described as completed for at least two of the six recommendations may not comprehensively address the weaknesses we identified.”

The latest report marks the 16th consecutive year the agency has failed a cyber security assessment. The House Veteran Affairs Committee held a hearing on Tuesday to address the ongoing concerns.

Chairman Jeff Miller (R., Fla.) said in his opening remarks that the VA’s Technology Office has “greatly contributed to the problems of data manipulation” by failing to address the persistent weaknesses.

“These failures are not because of a lack of resources, as some VA senior officials want us to believe,” he said. “Within the past decade, Congress has provided over 28 billion dollars to VA’s Office of Information and Technology to ensure its goals and actions are aligned with and driving the strategic goals of the agency. Given the availability of resources, it is apparent that this office’s lack of success and repeated under performance is a leadership failure.”

Let us know what you think.

Semper Fi!

Source: http://freebeacon.com/issues/va-has-not-corrected-security-problems/

More than 600,000 veterans wait a month or more for appointments at VA

More than 600,000 veterans — 10% of all the Veterans Affairs patients — continue to wait a month or more for appointments at VA hospitals and clinics, according to data obtained by USA TODAY.

The VA has made some progress in dealing with the backlog of cases that forced former secretary Eric Shinseki to retire early this year. For instance, the VA substantially cut the overall number of worst-case scenarios for veterans — those who had waited more than four months for an appointment. That figure dropped from 120,000 in May to 23,000 in October. Much of that improvement occurred because patients received care from private providers.

Since May, the VA has been reduced the number of veterans waiting longest for care — its top priority — by 57%, according to James Hutton, a VA spokesman. From June to September, the VA completed 19 million appointments, an increase of 1.2 million compared with the same time last year.

"VA's goal continues to be to provide timely, high-quality healthcare for veterans," Hutton said in a statement. "Veterans and VA employees nationwide understand the need for reform, and VA is committed to putting these reforms into place. And while we have significantly improved capacity and access to care, we have not yet achieved our intended state — systemic and timely access across the board. It will be an ongoing and significant effort to reach our goals."

To recruit more health care providers, VA Secretary Robert McDonald has proposed pay hikes for VA doctors and dentists, Hutton said. McDonald announced a restructuring of the VA on Nov. 10.

The new data show that dozens of hospitals and clinics leave a quarter or more of all their patients waiting 30 days or more for an appointment.

• Some facilities still have extremely long wait times for basic care, including 64 that have average wait times over 60 days for new patients seeking primary care. They include major facilities, such as hospitals in Baltimore; Jacksonville, Fla.; Temple, Texas, and Atlanta. All have at least 30,000 pending appointments.​

In Jacksonville, the average new patient is left waiting 77 days, a fact that previously obscured in the VA's data because it was averaged into the much-better performance of the nearby Gainesville hospital. Jacksonville only sees two-thirds of its patients within 30 days, the worst rate of any major facility in the VA system.

The VA is hiring more staff to deal with those delays, Hutton said.

• Ten facilities reported waits of more than three months for a new patient to see a specialist. At the top of the list: the Westmoreland, Pa., clinic, where patients are waiting 174 days — nearly six months — for a specialty appointment.

Thirty-three facilities have kept new patients seeking a mental-health appointments waiting for at least two months (I wonder if there is any data on if any of these veterans, committed suicide during those two months?...OM) . Among those are large hospitals in Martinsburg, W.Va., Amarillo, Texas, and Tuskegee, Ala. And 10 clinics and hospitals kept established patients waiting at least three weeks longer than the patients wanted for mental health appointments.

• Some small locations have big waiting times, too. The Wagner, S.D., clinic near the Nebraska state line, has only 155 total appointments of any type pending — and its new patient wait time is 153 days.

The data looks at nearly 6 million appointments until Oct. 1 and scheduled through Veterans Health Administration.

Members of Congress continue to express dissatisfaction (They "express" dissatisfaction, BUT not doing anything about it...OM) with the delays in disciplining VA employees involved in covering up the long wait times.

"The events of the last year have proven that far too many senior VA leaders have lied, manipulated data, or simply failed to do the job for which they were hired," said Rep. Jeff Miller, a Florida Republican and chairman of House Veterans' Affairs Committee, during a hearing Thursday. "It is also clear that VA's attempt to instill accountability for these leaders has been both nearly non-existent and rife with self-inflicted roadblocks to real reform."

What do you think? Please let us know.

Semper Fi!

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/11/16/long-wait-times-persist-at-many-va-hospitals/19033789/

Remembering the Veterans Year Round

                             

The election is finally over, the future course for America may have been changed and the various news organizations and “talking heads” are dissecting, praising or making excuses for the victories or defeats of the various political races.

With all the chatter, it seems strange that there is little to no mention of how these races will affect the forgotten men and women who sacrificed to make these elections possible, THE VETERANS.

Americans are celebrating Veterans Day (Remembrance) with various sales, a day off from work, maybe a parade or two, some small gatherings or just resting.

Most people will not really be thinking about or asking what they can REALLY do to honor and celebrate those fine men and women, who stood up when the American people called to protect the Freedoms that many sheeple have taken for granted.

As a Veteran may I suggest a few ways for people to truly honor the American Veteran.

To me one of the most important ways to honor and remember the Veteran is to remind those in Congress, the talking heads, celebrities (be fore warned some do not like to be called out) and others that just because Congress passed and POTUS signed “The Veterans Access,Choice and Accountability Act of 2014” that now all is “well” with the VA. IT ISN'T! 

So, what can YOU do?

Start by continuing to remind those who “voiced” outrage about the pi$ poor treatment that the Veterans have / have not received, then disappeared from the public eye. They got their publicity or whatever they were seeking but nothing has changed. The plight of the Veteran continues.

To do this, do what every warrior does, use every “weapon” available to you.

“Weapons” like twitter, snail mail, email, telephones whatever YOU can, its up to You.

Another way to honor the Veterans year round, not just on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month and it will mean a little sacrifice on your part. YES, a sacrifice.

This sacrifice will require some time and maybe foregoing that extra cup of custom coffee or that extra donut.

As far as time, search the Net for the phone number of the nearest VA in your area then pick up the phone and call the VA hospital and ask, “What 'health and comfort' items are needed for inpatient Veterans?” For those not familiar with “health and comfort” items, these are the things most Americans take for granted, things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.

Remember, a number of veterans admitted to the VA hospitals come in on weekends,completely unprepared and may not have someone to bring them these items,

"Those healthcare professionals who REALLY give a damn, have to hustle in the attempt to find those needed “health and comfort” items elsewhere in the hospital"

You may also ask them what other items might be needed to may help make the Veterans' stay in the hospital a little more pleasant. Items such as books, playing cards, etc.

As you can guess by now, the sacrifice of time and money are linked.

You are now armed with a “list” of needed items from your phone call to the VA and the money you save by foregoing that extra cup of coffee or donut; its time to “attack”.

On your next trip to the local Wally World (just as an example) wander back to the pharmacy section and look. You will find shelves of various travel sized “health and comfort” items, most cost about $0.97 plus tax.

You can also find other inexpensive items throughout the pharmacy area, use your judgment. Spend what you can afford. Remember every little bit helps.

You can figure out whether you want to take these items to the VA on a weekly or a monthly basis. OR if taking a trip to the VA hospital is not convenient, call the VA and ask them about mailing these items. REMEMBER to get the mailing address. 

Another way to help and remember the Veterans and I'm borrowing this from Jason F. Wright and his Christmas jar project. But instead of a Christmas jar, why not a Veteran's jar?

Mr. Wright's original idea was to have a jar, you may already have one, that you throw your change in at the end of the day. Then quietly and anonymously leave the jar on a needy family's doorstep during the Christmas season. Don't worry if there isn't a large sum of money in the jar, when a family is “hurting”, every little bit helps.

Let's just modify this a little bit. Instead waiting till the Christmas season, find a Veteran in your neighborhood that may be struggling and anonymously leave it for him or her on Veterans Day.

If you don't know of a Veteran who is struggling, donate it to one of the many Veteran's organizations.

Or you can use it to buy the needed items for those in the VA hospitals. IF you really care, want to help and honor the Veterans you can figure out what to do with the Veterans Jar.

So, as you leave the house this Veterans' Day to go and shop those Veterans' Day sales ask yourself, “Is this really the way to remember and honor those men and women who sacrificed for my freedom? Is there something more I can do?”

Semper Fi!

Once again, I must thank Igor for his proof reading and editing.

"We Need Reinforcements"...Gunny Sends

Source: Mike Shelton

Since Ebola, the Elections and the VA Scandal have overtaken the news cycle. WHAT the VA Scandal has "disappeared"? Oh, forgot, the Critters through more money at it and replaced the "captain" of the Titanic so all is fixed. NOT!

 With all of this, I feel like Marine Colonel Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War in 1950:

"We’ve been looking for the enemy for several days now. We’ve finally found them. We are surrounded. That simplifies the problem of getting to these people and killing them.”

I am not looking for the enemy, I have found them and they are the American sheeple. Instead of physically killing them, I would prefer to kill their lack on focus with information and here's where I'll need you, the readers help, but more on that in a minute.

Some may be wondering how does Ebola, the upcoming elections and the VA Scandal intertwine.

EBOLA

Boo Boo is sending 3900+ troops including the National Guard to the Ebola "Hot Zone", in fact a hundred Marines have been there since the 10th of October.

Now, looking at the chaos & panic that just 3 Ebola victims in the U.S. has caused within the healthcare system, can you just imagine what will happen if just, GOD FORBID, 2 or 3 of the original 100 Marines get exposed or worst yet one percent of the 3900 troops (39 for the sheeple) get exposed. How are those brave troops going to be treated? What about the troop's families? Are the base hospitals READY for this possibility? IS the VA system? Is our healthcare system?

The Election

There is nothing we, The PEOPLE, can do about the Clown in Chief and his complete incompetence concerning national security, ISIS or Ebola, BUT we, the PEOPLE can elect / reelect Senators / Representatives that will do something like securing our borders or stopping air travel from the "Hot Zone".

After all, it seems that Socialists  Democrats seem to back Boo Boo's Politically correct misjudgment at putting in to place a travel ban from the Ebola "Hot Zones".

What can we, the PEOPLE, do? Get out and vote, as the the old saying goes "kick the bums out".

The VA Scandal

As I pointed out, our troops are in the "Hot Zone" and some may return in fairly good shape and decide to leave the military.

Ebola may be laying dormant, no one really knows, so say in six months, a young Marine vet wakes up, he feels like chit and decides to go to the VA, since he can't afford healthcare under Obamacare or he's unemployed because of the Socialists Democrats backing Obama's non economical policy.

Our young Marine gets to the VA and there he sits, feeling worst as every minute passes.

Finally he is told that he has to make an appointment for two weeks later. That two weeks stretches into a month and unfortunately, our young Marine passes, cause of death, a new strain of EBOLA.

Now, here is where I need reinforcements and it won't cost a cent.

Since Montel Williams, Glenn Beck, O'Reilly and other talking heads have dropped the ball on the VA Scandal, it is up to we, the PEOPLE, to pick up the ball and run with it.

How? Lets start simple by keeping eye out for articles, news reports on the VA hospitals in your area. IF there is any information, good or bad, get it out there.

IF you need a place to post it, let me know. I'll be more then happy to post it here, full credit will be given. Just post links information in the comments section.

IF the talking heads, politicians won't follow up, We will.

"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory." General George S. Patton

Semper Fi!

"The Nation Which Forgets Its Defenders Will Be Itself Forgotten" - Calvin Coolidge

Special Bulletin! Ebola comes to the U.S.!

Source: Mike Shelton

Special Bulletin! Man jumps White House fence; Makes it into White House!

Special Bulletin! VA Hospital in Shreveport, LA lacks PJ's, sheets and toothbrushes

What, you didn't get the Special Bulletin about the VA hospital in Shreveport, LA? Well I guess neither did Montel Williams, Glenn Beck nor Mary L. Landrieu. More about them in a minute.

What connects the deadly disease Ebola to a veteran suffering from PTSD to a VA hospital in Shreveport, LA which serves about 37,000 veterans a year?

Washington's answers to every problem facing America is, “Let's throw money at it.” Or “There wasn't enough money.”

In the case of Ebola, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Democrat, wants to give “... CDC, or any public health system, needs more resources, Congress should immediately come back to Washington and vote to provide those funds before the November election...” KEY phase “..before the November election.”

When it comes to the veteran suffering from PTSD jumping the fence at the White House and the security lapse by the secret service, Congresswoman Eleanor Norton (D-D.C.) suggested at a hearing on Tuesday (September 30, 2014...OM) that budget cuts may have contributed to the Secret Service’s security troubles, saying Congress “has to take some responsibility” for the problems. In other words, “It's the GOP's fault.”

Does everyone remember the outrage expressed by just about everyone from POTUS down through the Critters on to the celebrities and finally to the American people that the American veterans were dying waiting for appointments?

Remember the outrage when Inspector General reports showed systemic problems within the VA system although theses problems were not really new?

Even Glenn Beck, Montel Williams as well as other "talking heads" and other celebrities got into the act by using their celebrity status to voice their “concerns” and “outrage” over the treatment of our veterans.

So what happened? As usual Washington replaced the captain of the Titanic and threw more money at the iceberg perhaps hoping the iceberg would go away before the November elections.

After Washington had done their “duty” for the veterans, they moved on to their much needed vacation and recessed. Montel Williams moved on to his next cause for publicity, Glenn Beck moved on to do his Glenn Beck things and America promptly and typically put the VA scandal behind them.

Much to his credit, Neil Cavuto would periodically mention the VA on his two shows, but no one even bothered to look or wonder if the “cure” is worse than the disease.

Nor did Mr. Williams, Mr. Beck or anyone bother to do what any regular person would do when they shell out a large sum of money to fix something. Follow up, check to make sure that the money is being spent wisely. After all, IT IS the American people's tax money and you would think that the taxpayers would want to know IF they were getting the most “bang for their bucks”.

Where is Senator Landrieu (D, LA) or Montel Williams when America's heroes have to wait while many nurses spend more time on cell phones, iPods or accessing their personal data on hospital computers while our heroes continue to get substandard care?(Ed. note: I have seen this in my own place of employment with KY state government and supervisors ignore it and those doing it get paid for overtime.)

Source: Mike Shelton

Where is Senator Landrieu's oversight and outrage when the Shreveport, LA, VA Hospital spent $3 million for solar panels yet runs out of sheets, blankets and even pajamas on the weekend because it waits for clean laundry to arrive from another VA hospital located 125 miles away? Couldn't the Shreveport VA hospital use that $3 million to build its own laundry or find a local veteran owned private business to supply the cleaning? Oh, yes, she's busy running for reelection and mostly "bragging" how she cares for the veterans. Has anyone bothered to ask her, "What took so long? Why Now?"

Where is Senator Landrieu's and Montel Williams' oversight and outrage when the linens, blankets and pajamas are worn and torn? Where is the outrage over pajamas that have holes and are missing buttons?

YET, this same hospital can spend $74,412 on wide screen T. V.s for the sole purpose of “broadcasting” employee and general information.

Where is the outrage that the hospital can spend $134,082 on furniture MADE IN CANADA when blankets return from “cleaning” with former patients' electrode pads still struck to them or pajamas that have a former patient's IV tape stuck to them.

                 Source: Mike Shelton

Where is Glenn Beck asking his listeners and viewers for money to help replenish “health and comfort” items like toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, combs and mouthwash that are normally supplied by volunteers and when these items run out, particularly on the weekends. Those healthcare professionals who REALLY give a damn, have to hustle in the attempt to find those needed “health and comfort” items elsewhere in the hospital, BUT, Glenn Beck can ask for his viewers and listeners to donate money in order for him to take a truck loads of comfort items, food and other items to the border for the “poor” ILLEGAL immigrants that have flooded our borders.

YET the Obama administration with the backing of his Democrat minions can use American taxpayer's money to ensure that the illegal immigrants that flood our borders have food, shelter and the “health & comfort” items. Those that are in the U.S. illegally are taken care of, BUT our heroes go without, counting on volunteers to supply the most basic of items.

Once again, the American people along with the “talking heads” and of course the Critters in the District of Corruption have moved on thinking that we have replaced the head of the VA and thrown more money at problem, so it can be forgotten, the problem is taken care of.....YEAH RIGHT!

Again, the American Veteran is the “Sunday go to meeting suit”. Taken out for special occasions or as political backdrops and then put back in the closet until next time.

Shouldn't everyone really wonder what is really going on in the many VA hospitals around the country? Or do all Americans feel that since the Critters have thrown money at the problem, all is well?

Main source: http://watchdog.org/174330/va-hospital-lacks-pjs-sheets/ previously linked.

Special thanks to @ABiCduckie for coming to my aid in editing while Igor is on vacation

Let me know what you think.

Semper Fi!

V.A. Reform Bill - Is the Cure Worse Than the Illness?

Editor's Note: As I was writing this and it was being edited by my friend and partner in crime, Igor, the bill was passed and the "duty experts" analysed the final bill but no one even mention the most important thing with healthcare, the providers...OM 

As the Critters rush to get a Veteran’s Administration reform bill before they flee the District of Corruption for their much deserved and hard-earned five week vacation, Fox News reports “Lawmakers to announce tentative deal on bill to overhaul troubled VA”. Needless to say I’ll bet that many will heave a sigh of relief and say, “Finally, the veterans are getting their “just due”, the Critters are finally doing something.” But are they?

In typical D.C. tradition, let’s replace the head of the V.A. with a businessman, not with a retired career military officer or senior Non-Commissioned Officer. Someone who basically KNOWS the true needs of a veteran. Granted, the nominee did spend five years in the Army, BUT in my not so humble opinion five years does not give anyone enough experience to know the needs of today’s veterans. But, he is a businessman, so he “knows” how to straighten out the system, JUST as all previous heads of the V.A. Yes, they did give him the authority to fire SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS with a 21 day appeal process, but as we all know, there are many times where the actual workers will not do their job and in some cases, the supervisor doesn't know about it or worse yet will cover it up by ignoring it. I work for a government agency and see it daily and when one draws it to the attention of the powers that be, it is ignored. NOTHING CHANGES. The fraud goes on.

Just as typical, the Senate, House and even the White House want to throw more money at the problem as if more money for newer buildings, hiring new doctors and other healthcare professionals would make a difference. HOWEVER, if those doctors and healthcare professionals come from those discharged honorably from the military, this will help with the unemployment rate among veterans. (According to 2013 data, Among the 722,000 unemployed veterans in 2013, 60 percent were age 45 and over. Thirty-five percent were age 25 to 44, and 5 percent were age 18 to 24.). Hiring veterans to help veterans would, in my opinion, improve service. After all, the military, thus the Vets have a better different work ethic, better attitude and know the military culture much better then most civilians.

Now, let’s talk about money being spent to allow Veterans to go outside the V.A. system IF there is an unusually long wait time for a Vet to be seen or if the Vet lives live more then 40 miles from a V.A. facility.

YES, it is a great idea and plan, BUT will the government be willing to pay full price for care given by civilian doctors and hospitals? Or will the Federal government want to seek a method where part of the payment is borne by the state, like they do with MEDICAID [Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) which varies by state based on criteria such as per capita income. The regular average state FMAP is 57%, but ranges from 50% in wealthier states up to 75% in states with lower per capita incomes (the maximum regular FMAP is 82 %).]

Maybe the Federal Government will want to make it like another “money saving program”, MEDICARE, where the Federal government pays approximately 80% of the total cost.

Or maybe, the Federal Government will eventually just decide to dump all the Veterans on the Federal Medical Exchange and make Veterans buy insurance and give the veterans subsidies.

Either way, by allowing Veterans to seek medical care outside the V.A. system MAY be a good thing BUT, and I know there is always a but, considering there are 6,616,963 total patients in the V.A. Healthcare system in FY 2014  and lets say 10% of these patients need to seek medical services outside the V.A. system, that will be 661,690 patients added to what is fast becoming an overburdened health system, thanks to Obamacare.

As Obamacare fully takes full effect in the next 12 to 18 months, it will not only add more than 30 million people, (I can't really say Americans because we don't know how many illegals will be included in the healthcare system) but it’s numerous provisions will soon alter the cost of health insurance, medical treatment, and prescription drugs. It will also affect the type and quality of healthcare available in the near future and very possibility the ability to get in to see a doctor (any healthcare provider, for that matter) of your choice.

Experts are predicting that this tsunami of new patients may very well cause a doctor and nurse shortage. A study has found that up to 40% of doctors are leaving the profession due to the overbearing and punitive regulations.

As these doctors and maybe other health care professionals leave the healthcare system, simple common sense, something lacking in D.C. and unfortunately the general population, should tell a person that if you loose 40% of the doctors and add 661,690 patients with a variety of injuries and illness not normally found in the civilian world, there is a possibility that once again veterans will face long delays which once again could result in life threatening conditions and long waits.

Finally, something that should really have people wondering. HAS ANYONE even thought that with $10 billion in emergency spending available for veterans who can’t get prompt appointments with V.A. doctors or live more than forty miles from a V.A. facility (Just who is to determine this and how long WILL IT TAKE...OM). JUST who will manage these funds and insure that there is some accountability? $10 billion dollars is a lot of money for most Americans, but for the critters, its just a drop in the bucket of overwhelming debt and like all “emergency funding” is there ever any accountability? Just look at the Porkulus money spent on the not so shovel ready jobs, the money for the B.P. oil spill, and of course the money authorized for hurricane Sandy. Is there any anyway to prevent fraud?

I am not even implying that the veterans would willfully commit fraud; they have more honor than that, BUT what about the heath care professionals and of course the government? Just look at Medicare and Medicaid.

“The acute problems of waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid are not a consequence of fee-for-service payment or any other particular design feature; they are a consequence of government. All economic endeavors involve the risks of waste, fraud, and abuse. But these problems are endemic to government for the simple reason that government spends other people’s money, and nobody spends other people’s money as carefully as they spend their own. The only way to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in a governmental activity is to eliminate that activity.”(Or the various unconstitutional Government agencies...OM)

Now, am I happy to see that the Critters HAVE FINALLY DONE SOMETHING for my Brothers and Sisters, DEFINITELY! BUT knowing the history of the problems within the V.A. system, I have to wonder will this really do any good? Along with that, I have to ask a number of questions and pray others will ask the Critters as well.

Is this another one of those bills that we’ll have to read to find out what’s in it?

Was this bill rushed so that the Critters can go home and say, “Vote for me. I care about the Vets, I voted for the money to reform V.A.”? (Note: While blog was in editing, Montel Williams appeared on Cavuto show 30 July, and mentioned the same thing and in the same interview, said that he has been speaking out about the V.A. for seven weeks. “SIR! In all due respect, WHAT TOOK YOU SO DAMN LONG and WHY NOW?”)

As far as the Critters are concerned, I feel that maybe, just maybe, the passage of the V.A. Reform bill answers the questions I've been asking, “WHAT TOOK SO LONG?” and “WHY NOW?”

It took so long because Congress and the sheeple just didn't give a damn and as the Critters face reelection with very low poll ratings, the Critters who are in danger of losing their power, have once again pulled out the “Sunday go to meeting suit” and once again using Veterans to win an election.

For the Glenn Beck (Who wants to have 9-12 a day of service for Veterans, WHY NOT EVERYDAY?...OM), Sean Hannity, Montel Williams, other talking heads and the American sheeple, “WHAT TOOK SO LONG?” and “WHY NOW?” and now an additional question “WILL YOU FOLLOW UP TO ENSURE THERE IS REAL REFORM?”.

What do you think? Please let me know!

Semper Fi!

A Long History of VA Problems, Have to Ask, "WHAT TOOK SO LONG" and "WHY NOW"

It’s a typical day at work and I as I sit at my desk reading, the phone rings. I put down the papers I was looking over and pick up the annoying device.

“Hello.”

The voice on the other end begins, “I have some bad news” and continues to let me know a friend has passed away. I asked, “What happened?” Then the voice goes into the details and when he finishes, I ask about the details of visitation and the funeral and jotted down the information.

I thanked the caller and hung up. While I filled out my paperwork for a day off, I thought to myself, “This is happening all too often.”

I arrive home at my usual time, fixed something to eat, put the dishes in the sink with the promise I’ll wash before bed, walked to the bedroom and opened the closet. As I looked at the typical contents of a man’s closet, I reached over for one of two garment bags hanging there; both black, one plain, the other with my name below the gold Eagle, Globe and Anchor. I reached for the plain one, brought it out and hung it on the door. As I unzipped it and took out what my Mother would call my “Sunday go to meeting suit”. I looked at it, checked it over knowing full well that it was clean and pressed, already for the next few days.

I glanced back at the closet, unzipped the other bag, looked at my Dress Blues and remembered how proud I was when I wore my first set. I remembered taking the oath “…support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies…” and being told that in turn for the years I would serve, America has made a pledge to me, that if I served honorably, the America would honor its pledge to other Vets and me. HOW WRONG that pledge has become.

My thoughts were interrupted by some “talking head” and a congress critter ranting about the treatment that veterans weren’t receiving from the Veterans Administration. I looked back at my suit and thought, “Isn’t it typical, Veterans and the active military (Vets will be used to encompass both veterans and active duty military) are just like my “Sunday go to meeting suit”, forgotten about UNTIL needed for a parade or some other special occasion, like when some politician needs us for a background to show “how much they care” about the Vets and Military. Then after being used, the Vets and Military are put back in the closet, just as I and I’d venture many others do, with their good suits, and forgotten about until the next time.

Truthfully, there is another way to describe the way Vets are being treated, it revolves around an old term for a quarter and slang for “a lady of the evening”, but I prefer to keep it family friendly.

Later as I listen to Neil Cavuto and Montel Williams, I thought to myself, “WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG AND WHY NOW?” WHY is the corruption and lack of care at the Veterans Administration suddenly on the front burner? WHY is everyone from critters to “talking heads” to television personalities crying and yelling how deplorable and insulting the treatment for those who served and PROTECTED our country has become.

I continued to listen and Montel begins to get angry and even a little emotional. Montel did bring out some good ideas, NOT necessarily new, mind you, but good.

SPECIAL BULLETIN: I must interrupt this blog for an important disclaimer. I am not nor will not show any disrespect for a brother Marine, NavalOfficer and fellow Marylander. Now, let’s return to our regularly scheduled blog.

I continued to listen and wanted to ask him, “Why are you suddenly speaking out about the VA now, when you must have known that there have been problems with the VA for many, many years?”

I must admit I really didn’t expect him to know about President Harry Truman accepting the resignation of VA Administrator Frank Hines after a series of news reports detailing shoddy care in VA-run hospitals in 1945.

Nor did I expect him to remember that the American Legion sought to oust five star general Omar Bradley from his position as VA Administrator in 1946, because of an ongoing problem with the lack of facilities and the troubles faced by hundreds of thousands of veterans in getting services and a proposal to LIMIT services for combat veterans.

Even though there were other times, such as in 1947 and again 1955 when government commissions uncovered enormous waste, duplication andinadequate care in the VA system and called for wholesale changes in the agency's structure. But, I wouldn’t expect him know about them either.

A few days later, I would once again hear this Montel on Glenn Beck’s radio show and again he made the same good points but again the same questions came to my mind, “WHAT HAS TAKEN SO LONG AND WHY NOW?”

As one who has watched and listened to Glenn Beck, I know that he is very much into history and having a staff to do research, I would have expected Glenn to at least research the problems that have plagued the V.A. in the past, although Glenn does have a selective view of history when it comes to his idol Martin Luther King, Jr.

I fully expected Glenn to bring up that during the 1970’s and 80’s there were problems with the VA like in the 1970’s, Veterans grew increasingly frustrated with the VA for failing to better fund treatment and assistance programs, and later the failure to recognize that exposure to Agent Orange by troops in Vietnam was a cause for numerous medical problems among veterans.

Nor did Glenn or Montel mention that Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic, the subject of the book and movie, "Born on the Fourth of July," led a 19-day hunger strike at a federal building in Los Angeles to protest poor treatment of veterans in VA hospitals. He and fellow veterans demand to meet with VA Director Donald Johnson. Johnson would eventually fly to California to meet with the activists, but according to Johnson's 1999 Los Angeles Times obituary, he left when the demonstrators refused to meet in the VA's office in the building. This uproar led to widespread criticism of Johnson. After President Richard Nixon announces an investigation into VA operations, Johnson resigned.

No one even mentions that in 1976, A General Accounting Office (GAO) investigation into Denver's VA hospital and the New Orleans' VA hospital found numerous shortcomings in patient care, including veterans whose surgical dressings are rarely changed and found ever-increasing patient loads were contributing to a decline in the quality of care.

How come neither Montel nor Glenn or any other “talking head” mentions anything about Robert Nimmo, a controversial VA director, who once described symptoms of exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange during the Vietnam War as little more than "teenage acne." Nimmo resigned under pressure from veteran's groups because according to a 1983 GAO investigation, he was criticized for wasteful spending, including use of a chauffeured car and an expensive office redecorating project. The agency also issued a report supporting veterans' claims that the VA had failed to provide them with enough information and assistance about Agent Orange exposure.

It seems that everyone from the critters to the T.V. / radio hosts wants to throw more money at the VA, as if that will solve the problem. They seem to forget that in 1984, congressional investigators found evidence that VA officials had diverted or refused to spend more than $40 million that Congress approved to help Vietnam veterans with readjustment problems.

Those same people talk of hiring more doctors are once failing to look at the past, forgetting that in 1986, when the VA's own Inspector General's office found that 93 physicians working for the agency had sanctions against their medical licenses, including suspensions and revocations.

I remembered back in 1989, when President Ronald Reagan signed legislation elevating the Veterans Administration to Cabinet status, thus creating the Department of Veterans Affairs. I and other Vets praised this, hoping that as a cabinet post, things would change within the VA system; how wrong we were!

1991 was a very interesting year: Montel began his seventeen year run as a syndicated talk show host and Sean Hannity was on the radio, while in Chicago there was a report in The Chicago Tribune that doctors at the VA's North Chicago hospital sometimes ignored test results, failed to treat patients in a timely manner and conducted unnecessary surgery. The agency would later take responsibility for the deaths of eight patients, leading to the suspension of most surgery at the center. I am not into talk shows, so I don't know IF Montel or Hannity mentioned anything about this or not. I'm sure if they did and someone has proof, people will let me know.

I wonder, considering Montel was on T.V. and Sean Hannity was on the radio in 1993, whether anything was said about a Washington Post report on VA Deputy Undersecretary of Benefits R.J. Vogel testifying to Congress that there was a growing backlog of appeals from veterans denied benefits due to a federal court established in 1988 to oversee the claims process, Vogel tells the lawmakers, (VA) [sic] is "reeling under this judicial review thing."

In 1999, as the Millennium draws to a close, there is the “great” fear of the Y2K meltdown and the Presidential campaign goes into full swing, The Los Angeles Times reports that the Critters in Washington once again have open an investigation into widespread problems with clinical research procedures at the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center. This investigation followed years of problems at the hospital, including ethical violations by hospital researchers that included failing to get consent from some patients before conducting research involving them.

A new Millennium, a new President and the problems with the VAcontinued and as will be shown in Part 2. The questions STILL REMAIN UNANSWERED, “WHAT TOOK SO LONG?” and “WHY NOW?”

 

A Long History of VA Problems, Have to Ask, "WHAT TOOK SO LONG" and "WHY NOW" - Part 2

While the Presidential election was in full swing in 2000, the GAO found "substantial problems" with the VA's handling of research trials involving human subjects. Was anything said by Montel or Hannity? Where was the outrage of using those who have sacrificed by putting a hold on their normal lives to defend and protect the sheeple of America? BUT like that “Sunday go to meeting suit” the Vets were used by politicians to show how much they cared and promises were made. However, when the election was over, the victors celebrated, the losers wept and once again, the Vets were forgotten and like that “Sunday go to meeting suit” hung back in the closet to be forgotten until September, 11, 2001.

2001 not only brought home to America that there were those inside and outside America that wanted to destroy our way of life, BUT also brought out the hypocrisy of the American sheeple as once again, the “Sunday go to meeting suit” was taken out of the closet, dusted off and worn. How many Vets were suddenly thanked for their service by neighbors of many years of living next door to them? How many Vets were suddenly thanked in stores they frequented for many years, despite that for those many years wearing a symbol of their service? While America was going to war in Afghanistan, The GAO once AGAIN releases YET another report that found despite a 1995 goal to reduce waiting times for primary care and specialty appointments to less than 30 days, the GAO found that veterans still often waited more than two months for appointments. Where were Glenn, Montel (considering he had won a Day Time Emmy in 1996 and his show had been nominated for Outstanding Talk Show in 2001) and Hannity expressing their outrage over this report? Where was the American sheeple?

President George W. Bush’s commission reported that as of January 2003, some 236,000 veterans had been waiting six months or more for initial or follow-up visits. The commission said that it was "a clear indication of lack of sufficient capacity or, at a minimum, a lack of adequate resources to provide the required care." Yet, as the Presidential campaign rolled on, the “Sunday go to meeting suits” that are the Vets are dusted off and put on display by candidates on both sides and once again promises are made. Promises as empty as all the other promises made through out the last century.

In 2005, anonymous tips lead to congressional testimony that revealed that surgical patients at the VA's Salisbury, North Carolina hospital had "significant problems with the quality of care". In fact, one veteran who sought treatment for a toenail injury died of heart failure when doctors failed to take account of his enlarged heart. Where was the outrage from Beck, Williams and Hannity and other “talking heads” speaking out against the quality of care at the VA? Where were the American sheeple, considering they had reelected the same critters?

2006 brought about a change in Congress as the Socialists took over while at the VA sensitive records containing the names, Social Security numbers and birth dates of 26.5 million veterans were stolen from the home of a VA employee who did not have authority to take the materials. VA officials thought the incident was a random burglary and not a targeted theft.

Once again “outrage” erupts in 2007, after documents are released that showed some senior VA officials received bonuses of up to $33,000 despite a backlog of hundreds of thousands of benefits cases. This was followed by an internal review that found numerous problems, some of them critical, at VA facilities across the nation. Again where was the outrage?

As 2008 Presidential campaign began, once again the “Sunday go to meeting suits” were taken out of the closet and used as the background for those seeking office. During this campaign season, then Senator Obama said while speaking at a campaign rally in Charleston, W. Va., then Senator Obama promised veterans he would fixthe problems plaguing Veterans Affairs hospitals: “At a time when we’re facing the largest homecoming since the Second World War, the true test of our patriotism is whether we will serve our returning heroes as well as they've served us,” Obama continued, “We know that over the last eight years, we’ve already fallen short of meeting this test (Isn’t it amazing that he ONLY blamed Bush, when there were problems at the VA under Clinton…OM). We all learned about the deplorable conditions that were discovered at places like Fort Bragg and Walter Reed. We’ve all walked by a veteran whose home is now a cardboard box on a street corner in the richest nation on Earth. We’ve all heard about what it’s like to navigate the broken bureaucracy of the VA - the impossibly long lines, or the repeated calls for help that get you nothing more than an answering machine. Just a few weeks ago, an 89-year-old World War II veteran from South Carolina told his family, “No matter what I apply for at the VA, they turn me down.” The next day, he walked outside of an Outpatient Clinic in Greenville and took his own life. “How can we let this happen? How is that acceptable in the United States of America? The answer is, it’s not. It’s an outrage. And it’s a betrayal—a betrayal—of the ideals that we ask our troops to risk their lives for. “But it doesn’t have to be this way. Not in this country. Not if we decide that this time will be different.” [1] As we all know, Obama won the election and what did he do to reform the VA, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! And where were Williams, Beck and Hannity doing what they could to hold Obama and the Critter’s feet to the fire when it came to the veterans, busy making money? They have the microphone and the audience. Where were the American sheeple? Were they too busy electing those politicians who promised freebies from the government while Vets continued to suffer from the broken promises from America?

In 2009, America was under a new administration, but to paraphrase Sonny & Cher “The problems with the VA go on” when it is disclosed that more than 10,000 veterans who underwent colonoscopies in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida were exposed to potential viral infections due to poorly disinfected equipment. Thirty-seven veterans tested positive for two forms of hepatitis and six tested positive for HIV. Irony of ironies is that these Veterans faced the possibility of injury and death by an enemy of freedom, just to be given a possible death sentence, thanks to the very government that made a promise to “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” VA Director Eric Shinseki initiated disciplinary actions and requires hospital directors to provide written verification of compliance with VA operating procedures. The Miami Herald reported that the head of the Miami VA hospital was removed as a result. The questions that should have been asked by the “talking heads”, celebrities and the American sheeple is “What about the heads of the other VA hospitals involved?” “Does providing “written” verification REALLY mean compliance?”

With a new year, 2010 came a new set of Critters as the TEA Party conservatives gained control of the House and once again the “Sunday go to meeting suits” were hung back in the closet and forgotten as the newly elected Critters jockeyed for POWER.

As 2011 dawned, another scandal comes to light at the VA when nine Ohio veterans tested positive for hepatitis after ROUTINE dental work performed at a VA clinic in Dayton, Ohio. A dentist at the VA medical center there acknowledged not washing his hands or even changing gloves between patients for 18 years. While next door in Oakland, Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports on an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the VA hospital. It will be later learned that at least five veterans die of the disease over the next two years (2013) as the newspaper discloses VA records showed evidence of widespread contamination of the facility dating back to 2007. WHERE’S THE OUTRAGE from the American sheeple, the “talking heads” and the celebrities? Is it like the old “Sunday go to meeting suits” that have began to show wear and tear, discarded and forgotten about? After all its only five people who volunteered the defend FREEDOM.

Its 2012 and once again the Presidential campaign kicks off in earnest and once again the “Sunday go to meeting suits” are taken out of the closet, dusted off and once again USED as a backdrop for politicians. And once again the VA is involved in another scandal. This time VA finds that the graves of at least 120 veterans in VA-run cemeteries are misidentified. This audit comes in the wake of a scandal at the Army's Arlington National Cemetery involving unmarked graves and incorrectly placed burials.

The following year, 2013, the former director of Veteran Affairs facilities in Ohio, William Montague, is indicted on charges he took bribes and kickbacks to steer VA contracts to a company that does business with the agency nationwide. Montague plead guilty and “He agreed to pay more than $390,000 to satisfy restitution and forfeiture requirements.” (Editor’s note: Research could not find any indication that Montague served any time in prison, much like those responsible for past and the current scandals, NO ONE goes to jail.)

We have seen that the various scandals and veteran’s deaths ARE NOT new to the VA, so when in January 2014, CNN and other news outlets reported that at least 19 veterans died at VA hospitals in 2010 and 2011 because of delays in diagnosis and treatment, the “outrage” began.

Now while, it may seem that I am targeting Montel Williams, Glenn Beck, and Sean Hannity, I’m not. They just happened to be three of the many “talking heads”, T.V. and Radio hosts and celebrities that are hand wringing and complaining about the deplorable treatment and America’s broken oath to those who have sacrificed, admittedly some more than others and as Vets, we don’t ask for or expect special treatment. BUT just as we lived up to our pledge to the country, we fully believed that America would live up to its promise and pledge to us.

I can hear some saying, “I’ve always respected and supported the Vets.” To those people I ask, then why did you keep re-electing the same Critters who knew about the scandals, BUT did absolutely NOTHING to at least attempt to fix the VA?

To Montel Williams, who claimed in 2009 that he didn't support Obama said “But I wasn't as aware of the genius in the man we have as our president. Across the board, hands down. And supported by a genius wife! That's the reason he's getting such rebuke from the right. There are a bunch of stupid people that are jealous of the intelligence the man has.” If you considered him such a genius, why didn't YOU use your time or at least part of your radio time to “hold Obama’s feet to the fire” when it came to the VA? WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? WHY NOW? After all as Jon Voight said on Huckabee (paraphrased) “I have a big microphone and its my duty to use it.” Why didn't you?

To the American sheeple, why do you keep electing critters who would rather spend money for social programs then straighten out the insult to the Vets that is the Veterans Administration. After all, HOW MANY ILLEGALS HAVE DIED WAITING TO SEE A DOCTOR IN AN EMERGENCY ROOMS? HOW MANY ON MEDICAID HAVE DIED WAITING FOR A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT? I bet that if just one of any of the two groups mentioned the LSM wouldn't let the world forget it. YET it seems that FOX News and FOX Business are the only news sources STILL keeping the VA scandal in the public eye.

To the Critters why do you constantly insist on having reports that FAIL to mention the DEATHS and Scandals of the past under Presidents of BOTH parties and are determined to throw good money after bad. Veterans ARE dying and for almost a century Congress has done NOTHING except use the veterans and throw money at the problem. NOW you want to replace the head of a private company with five years as an Army office to run this Chinese Cluster ****, that is the VA. Why not look to retired military officers to reform the VA. Why not hire VETS instead of equal opportunity hires who don't care about nothing more then getting a paycheck?

I wonder when Vets will finally get fed up and say enough is enough and just march on Washington, no permits, no real warning, just go after all World War 1 veterans did it in 1932, when thousands of World War I veterans and their families marched on Washington to demand payment of promised war bonuses (Shouldn't the Vets of all wars that are able do the same...OM). In an embarrassing spectacle, federal troops forcibly remove veterans who refuse to end their protest.

Maybe Glenn Beck would stop being so worried about the ILLEGAL ALIENS invading America and QUIETLY donate funds for support IF Vets do decide to march on the District of Corruption.

We lived up to our oath, shouldn't America? Shouldn't Veterans and those claiming to support the Military and Vets be demanding to know WHAT TOOK SO LONG? And “WHY NOW?”

To hear what others think check out Carolyn Elkins' post at http://politichicks.tv/column/va-lessons-learned-old/

"The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten."...Calvin Coolidge. Will America be forgotten and remembered as a nation that sent its citizens to protect and fight for FREEDOM and then forgot about them. OR will America survive and become a model for the world for the treatment of the VETERANS who live up to their oath to "defend and protect". Its up to you!

Let me know what you think.

Semper Fi!

Source of basic information http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/23/politics/va-scandals-timeline/