It is actually the Vietnam vets (yes, I am one) who are putting the stress to the VA health system. This is because we are reaching the age when we need more care. The Iraq / afghan vets have much more trauma to their bodies and so, individually, require more care, but the number of Vietnam vets are there.
^And that was BEFORE he gave up golf in respect for the troops. Hmm, just like he left Texas and his National Guard assignment to work on someone’s political campaign in Alabama, yes, “W” was so dedicated to disabled troops, he created tens of thousands more of them!! Obama is getting our folks OUT of Iraq and Afghanistan, and NOT sending more into senseless combat, that IS the BEST foreign policy, and domestic policy, relative to our troops. (I know, it reduces profits in the MIC.)
I pasted this in Rob Rogers ’toon a few pages back, and also post it here, in the frail hope that some “losers” here might learn something.___________________________________
msowards: Thanks for posting that link. I was equally impressed by the commentary about Rachael Maddox’s report. I think everyone should read it, and paste it below. -—————————————————————————————
Is Eric Shinseki to be blamed or lip service without action and funding by Congress?
Rachel Maddow’s well researched piece goes way back to pre-Iraq War. She highlights what seems to have been a continuous undermining of General Eric Shinseki for speaking truth to power. He correctly estimated the number of troops that would be necessary to occupy Iraq to the dismay of his bosses. Soon after, Eric Shinseki was no longer President Bush’s Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
President Obama picked Eric Shinseki to lead the VA because of his stature and his fearlessness to buck prevailing thought in order to do what is right for the troops. It was evident then as many pointed out that the VA was antiquated and underfunded. In other words, political resolve was necessary, not only by a president, but by a Congress willing to institute changes and increased funding.
The VA budget has increased by more than 50% since the president came into office. It went from $100 billion to $154 billion. Does that mean that throwing money at the problem is not what is required? Not so fast; the number of people eligible for VA benefits went from 400,000 to 918,000. That is more than a 125% increase in eligible recipients and counting. We sent thousands into unnecessary wars. Thousands were maimed. We are a lot better at keeping our soldiers alive but not very good about caring for them humanely when they leave the battle field.
The VA was given an impossible task given its structure, funding levels, and most importantly the number of bodies needing its services because our leaders fighting wars in a vacuum. They choose to forget that the fighters of those wars will need substantial care. To solve the impossible task, administrators likely fraudulently cooked the books to give a semblance of success. Of course the veterans ultimately pay the price with their health and their lives.
Rachel went on to point out that Congress cut $13 billion from VA healthcare as soldiers were invading Iraq in 2003. Even as the war became bloodier and it was evident that it would be long lasting, the claim in Washington was that no more additional resources would be required for the VA.
Ultimately the VA problem is a lack of resources. They will study it to death to avoid their ultimate responsibility. Conservatives will talk about privatization. Liberals in Congress will cower as they seek someone’s head on a platter. All will ask for the head of Eric Shinseki. But no one will tell Americans the truth. We love to send our citizens to war. We have no interest in paying the taxes necessary to take care of all the ills that come with war and veteran that has experienced real war.
ConserveGov almost 10 years ago
Yep
Nebulous Premium Member almost 10 years ago
Yep. Payne hates Obama and is skilled at Cut and Paste with artwork. Yawn.
Odon Premium Member almost 10 years ago
If we hadn’t gone needlessly into Iraq the demand for wreaths would be lower, as well as the demand for artificial limbs.
Theodore E. Lind Premium Member almost 10 years ago
Conservatives like veterans so much they keep creating them.
Mneedle almost 10 years ago
It is actually the Vietnam vets (yes, I am one) who are putting the stress to the VA health system. This is because we are reaching the age when we need more care. The Iraq / afghan vets have much more trauma to their bodies and so, individually, require more care, but the number of Vietnam vets are there.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member almost 10 years ago
http://theweek.com/article/index/235844/deconstructing-the-5-most-ridiculous-myths-about-barack-obama
Dubya took 477 days of his administration to golf, far more than President Obama.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member almost 10 years ago
Wipe your chin, Jethro, you’re frothing.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
^And that was BEFORE he gave up golf in respect for the troops. Hmm, just like he left Texas and his National Guard assignment to work on someone’s political campaign in Alabama, yes, “W” was so dedicated to disabled troops, he created tens of thousands more of them!! Obama is getting our folks OUT of Iraq and Afghanistan, and NOT sending more into senseless combat, that IS the BEST foreign policy, and domestic policy, relative to our troops. (I know, it reduces profits in the MIC.)
moosemin almost 10 years ago
I pasted this in Rob Rogers ’toon a few pages back, and also post it here, in the frail hope that some “losers” here might learn something.___________________________________
msowards: Thanks for posting that link. I was equally impressed by the commentary about Rachael Maddox’s report. I think everyone should read it, and paste it below. -—————————————————————————————
Is Eric Shinseki to be blamed or lip service without action and funding by Congress?
Rachel Maddow’s well researched piece goes way back to pre-Iraq War. She highlights what seems to have been a continuous undermining of General Eric Shinseki for speaking truth to power. He correctly estimated the number of troops that would be necessary to occupy Iraq to the dismay of his bosses. Soon after, Eric Shinseki was no longer President Bush’s Chief of Staff of the United States Army.
President Obama picked Eric Shinseki to lead the VA because of his stature and his fearlessness to buck prevailing thought in order to do what is right for the troops. It was evident then as many pointed out that the VA was antiquated and underfunded. In other words, political resolve was necessary, not only by a president, but by a Congress willing to institute changes and increased funding.
The VA budget has increased by more than 50% since the president came into office. It went from $100 billion to $154 billion. Does that mean that throwing money at the problem is not what is required? Not so fast; the number of people eligible for VA benefits went from 400,000 to 918,000. That is more than a 125% increase in eligible recipients and counting. We sent thousands into unnecessary wars. Thousands were maimed. We are a lot better at keeping our soldiers alive but not very good about caring for them humanely when they leave the battle field.
The VA was given an impossible task given its structure, funding levels, and most importantly the number of bodies needing its services because our leaders fighting wars in a vacuum. They choose to forget that the fighters of those wars will need substantial care. To solve the impossible task, administrators likely fraudulently cooked the books to give a semblance of success. Of course the veterans ultimately pay the price with their health and their lives.
Rachel went on to point out that Congress cut $13 billion from VA healthcare as soldiers were invading Iraq in 2003. Even as the war became bloodier and it was evident that it would be long lasting, the claim in Washington was that no more additional resources would be required for the VA.
Ultimately the VA problem is a lack of resources. They will study it to death to avoid their ultimate responsibility. Conservatives will talk about privatization. Liberals in Congress will cower as they seek someone’s head on a platter. All will ask for the head of Eric Shinseki. But no one will tell Americans the truth. We love to send our citizens to war. We have no interest in paying the taxes necessary to take care of all the ills that come with war and veteran that has experienced real war.
oneoldhat almost 10 years ago
what are you suggesting moose that a congressman or a general over throw bho?
moosemin almost 10 years ago
“Obama has as much blood on his hands then Bush. Difference is Bush had the respect of the Armed forces! "
Where, oh where do you get your “information”?
Often, I think you just do this to tease and rile us up!
d_legendary1 almost 10 years ago
MangeyMoose asked Harlekinns, "Where, oh where do you get your “information”?
Harlekinns replies, “From Allen West’s website.”
My question for Harlekinns: Allen West is the same guy who said that he questions Tammy Duckworth’s loyalty to the U.S.
In case you don’t know who Tammy Duckworth is here’s a picture:
He’s also the same guy who said that he’d beat Debbie Wasserman Shultz like a man. WTF dude?