People Trust Their Lying Ears More Their Brain

Pop Quiz: How much spending is actually Constitutional?

On May 8, Neil Cavuto presented a show on Fox Business that IF YOU DON'T GET IT, DEMAND IT, called America's Trust Deficit. As with many shows that Mr. Cavuto presents, it hits the target. Particularly in the first ten minutes which dealt with American's lack of trust in the government. A lack of trust that the government has earned by wasting TRILLIONS of American taxpayer's dollars on various programs which are not truly authorized within the Constitution, but have been passed and signed into law. These laws were never challenged, they were just accepted and now they are out of control and NOW people are concerned.

So, the question arises, is it the government that cannot be trusted or is it the people who believe everything a politician or some “talking head” tells them, not bothering to stop and think, “Is this truly what our founding Fathers intended to be the role of the federal government in its citizen's lives.”

This was evident within the first ten minutes of Neil's show when the discussion began with the government's failures with its various programs and showed that even a well respected “talking head” like Steve Moore, a Heritage Foundation visiting fellow, seems to have a lack of understanding of the Constitution and the role of the federal government.

Mr. Moore began by bringing up how much Washington has change and federal spending increased in the 25 to 30 years he had been in the District of Corruption. According to Mr. Moore, federal spending has increased from about a trillion dollars per year in spending to about four trillion in the coming year. He then continued to discuss spending for schools.

Mr. Moore drew attention to the fact that the per pupil spending when compared with the 1950 and 1960's when schools were considered much better, the cost has increased ca. three times as much as it did then. He failed to mention however, that in the 1950's and 1960's there was very little federal money given to local schools.

What followed was usual discussion and various opinions on federal spending, which in my opinion is the same old B.S.. The same B.S. that many others and I have heard over the years from both sides of the aisle. HOWEVER, no where in the discussion about federal spending did anyone bring up the fact that a lot of this federal spending is no where authorized in the Constitution.

In fact, Mr. Moore said, “...(the) problem is this...that government has gotten away from the core functions of what its suppose to do,...its suppose to educate our kids, its suppose to build good roads and highways, its suppose to defend us...”.

Now, such a well educated man like Mr. Moore should realize that the founding Fathers DID NOT intend for the federal government to use tax money to educate our kids. To build (post) roads, YES (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 7). To provide for the common defense (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1) by raising and supporting an Army and a Navy (Article 1 section 8, Clauses 12 & 13) definitely YES.

No matter how hard I search the Constitution and read the Federalist papers, I can not find anything that says that the federal government should educate our children. In fact, even the Department of Education admits that “The responsibility for K–12 education rests with the states under the Constitution.”

So, where did Mr. Moore come up with the idea that the federal government is suppose to educate our children? Was it from the Manifesto of the Communist Party, “Free education for all children in public schools...” I don't feel so. 

Was it from the Socialist Party Platform of 1908 and bragged about by the Center of American Progress? Again I don't think so.

I feel that Mr. Moore and many Americans have forgotten one very important thing, even though Mr. Moore eluded to it, “schools were considered much better in 1950 and 1960's”.

That important thing is that “the primary source of federal K–12 support began in 1965 with the enactment of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).”

This law, basically took the funding of schools at the local level from the states and allowed for the redistribution of wealth from wealthy states to less wealthy states by the federal government. This redistribution of wealth also gave the federal government the opportunity to gain control of the school systems, can anyone say, “Common Core” or "standard testing" which has lead to corruption among those people trust to educate their children and this is just one case, how many more are out there not discovered.

This redistribution of wealth also lead to the increase in the size of government by the creation of the Department of Education in 1979.

I must ask again, just where is the use of federal taxes “to educate our kids” authorized by the Constitution?

This same question can be asked of Medicaid, the various welfare programs and unemployment compensation.

Just where are any of these programs authorized by the Constitution. Or were these programs put in place over the years as part of an agenda to slowly but surly change America from what the founding Fathers intended?

Over all, I found the show informative, but found that Neil Cavuto and the others did not fully explore the real reason why so many people do not trust the federal government or our elected officials.

The reason; is that to REALLY place the blame of this lost of trust would offend many of his viewers. The true source of this distrust is THE PEOPLE. The very same people who would rather believe the politicians who promise to bring “home the bacon” then stop and think, “Is this what the Constitution authorized the federal government to do?”

You tell me, is our current educational system better NOW or was it better before the federal government got involved? Is America better off now, either financially or spiritually, then before the federal government got involved in things not authorized in the Constitution.

Semper Fi!

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/

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/

"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/