Perhaps if the V.A. had more doctors, counselors and other support staff, our veterans would receive the timely care they deserve. But our arrogant Republican elites focus more upon gaining power in Washington, and use our money to put people like Karl Rove on the payroll.
The ’toon, intelligently actually, puts the image of all those seniors now signing up, and filling an underfunded system. Yes, there are bureaucratic bungles, just like in any large corporation, like well GM and ignition switches, or the other manufacturers with hundreds of recalls, but if you want real wrongdoing, “legalized” by Reagan et al, look at banking and “finance” industries, where outright stupid is encouraged in the clients.
Perhaps we should abolish the VA medical system entirely and replace it with something like Tri-Care or Medicade for veterans instead letting them use the civilian medical system instead.Less government, better service, and veterans get covered.
OTX, do you just type out what your thinking and hit the SUBMIT button?
In the last several elections, I, and probably many others, did not vote to “choose” socialism, or any other form of government, except a democratic one. (Not necessarily THE democrats) I voted for who I felt was lying the least. I voted for Obama with MANY misgivings because if McCain got in, it would have simply been another four years of unrestrained Capitalism, at the expense of many. Registered as an Independent, I have voted Republican and Democrat since the 1960’s, and voted twice for Ross Perot. While I believe the Democrats would sell off this country to the highest bidders, they would keep about 10% for appearance’s sake. The Republicans would not only sell off 100% of it, but they would gift-wrap it as well. BOTH parties are totally bankrupt of ideas, any sense of responsibilty, do not know history, and are so focused on keeping their lucrative positions that they have developed a contempt for most of us. The Repubs only do their masters bidding. The Dems think we have lots of money and keep up the taxes on the working man/woman. The fact that today’s military is sent into hellish conditions of combat, Congress doesn’t give a damn. The fact that millions of educated, experienced workers had their jobs taken from them, so owners could make greater profits by sending their jobs overseas; Tough! And millions more of under-employed, who worked for decades, had their jobs shipped elsewhere, but managed to get a job serving burger&fries, delivering pizza, or stocking shelves at a big-box store for $9-$10/hour; well that’s just too bad.
Most of us do not vote for socialism, communism, nazism or anarchy. Most of us are looking longingly for some candidate, perhaps a new party, that will restore fairness and prosperity for ALL Americans.There seem to be few choices.
Because it cannot work unless the freedom of opportunity we have now is squashed. It is unsustainable unless it transforms – in one direction or another.
Bruce; as I’ve said, VA has done some good, despite problems, it’s getting better. I filed in ’95 and it ONLY took 10 months to get a partial decision from VA, and four more years of appeals to get my conditions recognized: because the ARMY had thrown away all my medical records that could have resulted in disability claims! So, this actually goes back MANY DECADES with the PENTAGON, screwing over the troops, with complicity from multiple administrations, and CONGRESSES!!
Just spoke to my niece, whose husband his getting good care from VA in Southern California, though he’s a non-service connected veteran, who pays copays for his medicines he couldn’t afford without the help. BTW she also pointed out he’s being treated for several conditions at VA that his PRIVATE doctors never spotted! NO, it ain’t all the same in all places!!
When it comes to health care from VA, there are 8 (eight) PRIORITY GROUPS, under which veterans MAY qualify for VA health care. NOT EVERY VET QUALIFIES!
From Group one; veterans with 50% or higher service connected disabilities, all care is free, and they have PRIORITY FOR TREATMENT, as in appointments, level of care, etc.
Down in Group Eight, there are economic requirements, as in several other groups, that allow those who can’t get or afford other coverage or care through “the outside world of medicine”.
The wonder years of the Reagan through “W” administrations, with a pause actually under Clinton, have seen continual increases in needs of COMBAT CASUALTIES, as well as the influx of older vets who now look to the agency, as they can’t afford the geriatric (among others) care they need in old age, and don’t have the incomes to match. Even Social Security and Medicaid have passed these folks off to the VA.
I totally support, obviously as a permanently and totally disabled veteran myself, providing care for ALL VETERANS who need help. But an offshoot it seem of the “me generations” is that an awful lot of those stressing the system, and trying to con their way in, are those citing the positive aspects of “Reaganomics”, while calling for the “government” to support them. For example, folks trying to get diagnosed with PTSD so they can get the money, not treatment, even though they never left the states of Qatar or other non-contact locations, or MOS.
On our local news, I did see a guy, retired law enforcement with PTSD from service, who pointed out he wants psychiatric therapy, NOT JUST DRUGS OR MONEy, and he’s had trouble with VA. I’m sympathetic to him, because just as I found in over 30 years of “private practice” medicine, I was also just given more drugs, rather than other therapies. VA did provide me with outpatient (fee basis) visits to a psychologist on contract, and in my time with her, I went from 50-80 “flashbacks” a WEEK, to one or two a month. BIG improvement over drugs because she was good and knew PTSD well! Other practitioners may indeed NOT have the experience or skill to accurately treat PTSD, and it does often require some searching for the right practitioner.
The points being of course, the situation is a LOT more complex than people, or ’toonists, realize!
moosemin almost 10 years ago
Perhaps if the V.A. had more doctors, counselors and other support staff, our veterans would receive the timely care they deserve. But our arrogant Republican elites focus more upon gaining power in Washington, and use our money to put people like Karl Rove on the payroll.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
The ’toon, intelligently actually, puts the image of all those seniors now signing up, and filling an underfunded system. Yes, there are bureaucratic bungles, just like in any large corporation, like well GM and ignition switches, or the other manufacturers with hundreds of recalls, but if you want real wrongdoing, “legalized” by Reagan et al, look at banking and “finance” industries, where outright stupid is encouraged in the clients.
Enoki almost 10 years ago
Perhaps we should abolish the VA medical system entirely and replace it with something like Tri-Care or Medicade for veterans instead letting them use the civilian medical system instead.Less government, better service, and veterans get covered.
moosemin almost 10 years ago
OTX, do you just type out what your thinking and hit the SUBMIT button?
In the last several elections, I, and probably many others, did not vote to “choose” socialism, or any other form of government, except a democratic one. (Not necessarily THE democrats) I voted for who I felt was lying the least. I voted for Obama with MANY misgivings because if McCain got in, it would have simply been another four years of unrestrained Capitalism, at the expense of many. Registered as an Independent, I have voted Republican and Democrat since the 1960’s, and voted twice for Ross Perot. While I believe the Democrats would sell off this country to the highest bidders, they would keep about 10% for appearance’s sake. The Republicans would not only sell off 100% of it, but they would gift-wrap it as well. BOTH parties are totally bankrupt of ideas, any sense of responsibilty, do not know history, and are so focused on keeping their lucrative positions that they have developed a contempt for most of us. The Repubs only do their masters bidding. The Dems think we have lots of money and keep up the taxes on the working man/woman. The fact that today’s military is sent into hellish conditions of combat, Congress doesn’t give a damn. The fact that millions of educated, experienced workers had their jobs taken from them, so owners could make greater profits by sending their jobs overseas; Tough! And millions more of under-employed, who worked for decades, had their jobs shipped elsewhere, but managed to get a job serving burger&fries, delivering pizza, or stocking shelves at a big-box store for $9-$10/hour; well that’s just too bad.
Most of us do not vote for socialism, communism, nazism or anarchy. Most of us are looking longingly for some candidate, perhaps a new party, that will restore fairness and prosperity for ALL Americans.There seem to be few choices.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
^Buying your buddies drinks after work is obviously wrong, as it’s socialism spreading your wealth.
JoeRaisin almost 10 years ago
Because it cannot work unless the freedom of opportunity we have now is squashed. It is unsustainable unless it transforms – in one direction or another.
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
Bruce; as I’ve said, VA has done some good, despite problems, it’s getting better. I filed in ’95 and it ONLY took 10 months to get a partial decision from VA, and four more years of appeals to get my conditions recognized: because the ARMY had thrown away all my medical records that could have resulted in disability claims! So, this actually goes back MANY DECADES with the PENTAGON, screwing over the troops, with complicity from multiple administrations, and CONGRESSES!!
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
Just spoke to my niece, whose husband his getting good care from VA in Southern California, though he’s a non-service connected veteran, who pays copays for his medicines he couldn’t afford without the help. BTW she also pointed out he’s being treated for several conditions at VA that his PRIVATE doctors never spotted! NO, it ain’t all the same in all places!!
Dtroutma almost 10 years ago
A note of clarity?:
When it comes to health care from VA, there are 8 (eight) PRIORITY GROUPS, under which veterans MAY qualify for VA health care. NOT EVERY VET QUALIFIES!
From Group one; veterans with 50% or higher service connected disabilities, all care is free, and they have PRIORITY FOR TREATMENT, as in appointments, level of care, etc.
Down in Group Eight, there are economic requirements, as in several other groups, that allow those who can’t get or afford other coverage or care through “the outside world of medicine”.
The wonder years of the Reagan through “W” administrations, with a pause actually under Clinton, have seen continual increases in needs of COMBAT CASUALTIES, as well as the influx of older vets who now look to the agency, as they can’t afford the geriatric (among others) care they need in old age, and don’t have the incomes to match. Even Social Security and Medicaid have passed these folks off to the VA.
I totally support, obviously as a permanently and totally disabled veteran myself, providing care for ALL VETERANS who need help. But an offshoot it seem of the “me generations” is that an awful lot of those stressing the system, and trying to con their way in, are those citing the positive aspects of “Reaganomics”, while calling for the “government” to support them. For example, folks trying to get diagnosed with PTSD so they can get the money, not treatment, even though they never left the states of Qatar or other non-contact locations, or MOS.
On our local news, I did see a guy, retired law enforcement with PTSD from service, who pointed out he wants psychiatric therapy, NOT JUST DRUGS OR MONEy, and he’s had trouble with VA. I’m sympathetic to him, because just as I found in over 30 years of “private practice” medicine, I was also just given more drugs, rather than other therapies. VA did provide me with outpatient (fee basis) visits to a psychologist on contract, and in my time with her, I went from 50-80 “flashbacks” a WEEK, to one or two a month. BIG improvement over drugs because she was good and knew PTSD well! Other practitioners may indeed NOT have the experience or skill to accurately treat PTSD, and it does often require some searching for the right practitioner.
The points being of course, the situation is a LOT more complex than people, or ’toonists, realize!