Dan, this taxpayer would vote for you and your qualifications are perfect. I would not post numbers in this Zoo forum, many communists live here. Good luck to you sir and thank you for your service.

Sorry Dan but you are over qualified and would fix the problems at VA which some folks do not want to happen as it would cost money. The cost for all Wars does not end after cessation of combat it goes on for the next 60+ years to care for the wounded and broken bodies. War was hell and too many politicans send guys like us to fight while they stay home, get rich, pay no taxes on their stock portfolios and Cayman Island investments.

It took over 1 year for me to get my VA Rating and then they cut it so I was not paid what the CFR called for my injuries.

This situation is what needs immediate attention, ahead of damned immigration.

Let us see if Mr. Obama will back up his campaign PROMISE or was it just for VOTES ?

Yeah, figure the odds.

However, it is a reasonable bet that Amnesty, Gun control, and more SPENDING are at the top of the Progressive ladder.

If anything is done for the Veterans, it will probably be "just throw more money at the problem"....that will fix it. Just like education.

You can put whoever you want in charge of the VA, but it won't matter one bit if the Obama administration won't put cash in the till. So far it's all words, and the reality is that 50% of the people believe his words alone will make everything better. I just can't believe how easily this politician has pulled the wool over this country's eyes.

Eyepublius

Thank you for your service. Do you really want that draft dodger Ol' Stupid Joe calling you, can't imagine what a that cowardly moron could say of any value.

As the article stated - It's easy to blame and fire and replace, however, that alone will not fix the problem. The GOP Congress is/would block any bill that costs money and this problem needs more people hired in order to be able to actively work on the huge amount of veterans seeking assistance from the VA. Also, the GOP Congress always seems to speak highly and praise our military but when it comes to the VA, the damn GOP considers VA help as an "entitlement" and they, the GOP does not want more people taking "handouts: from the government teat! This is a disgrace! These men and women served our country bravely and proudly, however, their military needs do not end when they leave a war zone such as Iraq or Afghanistan! These defenders of our freedom deserve better! Come on Washington DC, leave the "spending argument" for another cause and help these American soldiers in a timely manner!!

You're hired. When can you start?

Follow the money trail and see who refuses to increase funding for our Veterans when they return from war and it's not the Gutless Damn Democrats. The Republicans while waving Old Glory and willing send America's troops to save the Damn World everywhere continue to defund our Veterans here when the come home. OH we have money for their endless Wars, but not for the returning wounded Vets.

It's always been that way and it always will be that way. Fricking unbelievable....

OH diberginct, You obviously ignore the votes against our veterans and it's not from Obama's party dude, get your facts stargt before you spit out your Bull$HIT.

What makes anybody think that this community organizer is even able to understand the problem let alone try to fix it. He's never done anything productive in his life. Does he even know what the VA is?

mattfromwash & Everett W Springer & rockjock

You Sirs are Arses

Here are a few examples of what the dem-orats think of the American Vets:

That's the difference between myself and my opponent: As long as I'm commander in chief we're going to make sure that our veterans are properly cared for. And we have [sic] expand our funding and improved how we are working with our veterans. But we've got more work to do, and that requires resources. We're sure not going to spend that money better on tax cuts for me. I want to make sure that a young man or woman who has served our country, who has fought for us they shouldn't have to fight for a job or a roof over their heads when they come home."

According to Democrat Congressman Bob Filner, the level of service being delivered to our veterans is an insulting disgrace. And why should it be anything else? We need look no further than the V.A. Secretary Eric Shinseki, a Hawaiian Democrat and retired Army General, to understand why the VA is a mess. Shinseki knows nothing about running an organization of the size and scope of the Veterans' Administration, and it shows.

Because Obama chose to appoint a typical Democrat hack to an important position such as Secretary of Veteran's Administration, the number of backlogged VA disability claims can be counted in the hundreds of thousands, with some estimates putting the number of cases that stand unresolved after 125 days at over 900,000. This is the truth about how Obama treats our Veterans. Why would anyone think he would do better in a second term?

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Obama Administration on Friday threatened to veto a Defense Appropriations Bill in part because it does not include higher health care fees for members of the military."The Administration is disappointed that the Congress did not incorporate the requested TRICARE fee initiatives into either the appropriation or authorization legislation," the White House wrote in an official policy statement expressing opposition to the bill, which the House approved in May.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance.

Tell me again how the rats will take care of the Vets?

I also applaud your service, but you must realize Obama/Biden HATE YOU and every other vet. We are enemies of the state. So please stop dreaming,this government will NEVER help us vets. They just talk a good game. Remember the last war we won? We bombed the @!$%# out of everybody until they could not support their government anymore.

News flash to Veterans. Obama does not care about you or anyone else in this country. He only cares about his own personal gain.

Rob

Not only that, but all Vets are to be watched as tho they are terrorist according to the hand-out the FBI is passing around.

Reader In North Texas; YeeHaaw!

Zombiequest

"Draft Dodger stupid Joe"??? Do you know how many times Cheney dodged the draft??? FIVE TIMES!!!!

FIVE TIMES!!!! really? the same number as Ol' Stupid Joe

Good luck with that. If you really think Obama is going to fix the military medical and VA problems you are sadly mistaken He just bankrupted the country on Obama Care, both he and his wife hate the military, and he has robbed the Medicare system of about 700+ billion dollars to pay for Obama Care. He can't even fix the Medical system for the general populace and you want him to fix the VA system. Do you really think he gives a damn about the VA. We can't afford to spend, spend, and spend. We are bankrupt. And that is the problem. Now with that being said, people like the zombie idiot above will continue to lie because most won't look up the facts to see that he is lying. Did Cheney dodge the draft? No, he was not accepted by the military because he had heart disease. The very same problem both his parents had. It has plagued him all of his life, but don't expect Zombi-liar to tell you that, it does not suit his liberal agenda. He had a heart problem that has plagued him to this very day and the military would not take him if he paid them. The very fact that they turned him down 5 times should tell you that the idiot Zombie is a liar.There is your liberal lie. They just don't tell the whole truth. Oh, you are right. The VA system does need fixing, but you can't fix what you can't pay for. All the money that is going to Obama care could have solved the issue or at least given it a start, but you see. Obama didn't give a damn. It too was not on the liberal Agenda.

What a sorry-assed country we are and what a despicable president we have! His concerns are about frigging illegal aliens and stupid gun control. Shame on you Dumbama, you are a traitor to our troops.

Fix this problem now. These people have put their lives on the line and deserve immediate attention. Even 125 days are too much for getting a Veteran his due!!!!!

What kind of a sad society are we to let lunatics like Dumbama and Biden misguide the stupid voters that voted for them? Shame on you people.

I don't care what they have to do, fix this NOW. That means congress has to FULLY FUND all and hire more people to process claims. Obama needs to keep this issue on top and make sure congress does its job. FIX THE DAMN PROBLEMS.

As the wife of a decorated Vietnam veteran it is a DISGRACE the way our troops are being treated. I have seen it first hand. Illegal aliens are treated better. My husband is dying of Agent Orange and we had to hire a lawyer to get my husband's disability pushed through. This country needs to WAKE UP. Your military men and women and your veterans need YOUR help.

yo O, jay z says fix it. so you best get ta steppin g. fix something.

Blaming the backlog of claims on General Shinseki is hog-wash; no one could do better. He is one of the finest gentleman & devoted officers / SOLDIERS I ever met. Here is my assessment of the supposedly 900,000 "claims;" probably about 45% - 60% are totally bogus...especially the PTSD ones, claims submitted by USAF & USN weinies who never got w/in a 1,000 miles of combat, or the "Fobbites" who never left the fwd operating base (FOB). I suppose they got their PTSD from watching "Blackhawk Down" too many times? But- the ones who did the real thing- those whose helmet got hit w/ hot brass- my hats off to ya, & I hope ya gets what due to you. It's too bad it takes so long...but I suspect the system is jammed by the fakers looking for "easy money." Rakkasan!

our government sucks

veterans give their lives and bodies and wait years for help

Congress argues about control and doesn't pass any bills, nor balance it's checkbook, nor keep our credit good.

they waste our tax dollars everyday for corporate giveaways and foreign aid for countries that hate us, and for weapons programs that don't work....

and our taxes go up, our rights are taken away, and we cant get credit, or medical insurance at reasonable rates, and our wages have been flat in inflation adjusted dollars for 30 years.

regular people have less, give more, and have less rights than they did in the 80's

thanks Obama, Bush, Clinton, and Bush.... we really appreciate how you guys sold out to corporations and don't have the money to care for us now....

Money is not the problem if a claims officer can only process 73 claims a year.

That is only 1 1/2 claims a week.

How long do you have to look at a guy to tell he has no legs?

Well, Dan, I cannot hire ya... But I am a vet as well.. Would I be out of line if I called you?

The fix is simple. I know from personal experience. LET SDI HANDLE ALL CLAIMS, VETERAN AND CIVILIAN. Hubby filed with the VA for a third time in September 2011 with SDI in November 2011. SDI had to get records from VA since only clinic my husband goes to. SDI approved in February 2012. Still waiting on VA. We even wrote Senator Barbara Boxer five months ago for assistance. She responded with wanting a release signed to get info on his file. He signed and returned to her and still nothing. VA claim is not 9 month wait. It is over 19 months and still waiting.

Oh, by the way, if you like VA health care you are going to absolutely love Obamacare

Rob Roy McGreggor

I also applaud your service, but you must realize Obama/Biden HATE YOU and every other vet. We are enemies of the state. So please stop dreaming,this government will NEVER help us vets. They just talk a good game. Remember the last war we won? We bombed the @!$%# out of everybody until they could not support their government anymore.

Name ONE Administration in the last 20 years that did a lot for Vets after they returned from war? One. GW started the last two wars. What did he put in place at the VA for returning Vets? What?

You want to place blame (like typical Americans with no answers)...then go back farther!

I am an Independent and a US Navy Vet. BOTH parties don't care much about Vets after they have been used up and now need assistance.

Number ONE priority for a Congress and President, who sends our boys and girls off to destroy, should be PREPARING TO ASSIST THEM when they return, whole, broken or injured - especially permanent disability.

Where the HELL is Johns McCain and Kerry on this? They of all politicians should be LEADING this issue. I'd love to hear from Colin Powell also. Why are these prominent veterans silent? This is TOTAL SHAME on American Congress and President.

How about a "SURGE" in fixing the VA? We can hurry up to destroy and kill in a short time. SHAME!

Mrs. Georgia Peech

I guess it works in totally goofy ways. We have been trying to get help for our son.

My wife was talking to an agent at the fair grounds. He called and said he needed my signature.

About 2 weeks later they had my Agent Orange disability approved and the money on the way.

We still don't have my son squared away.

God Bless and hang in there.

Baby boomers unable to gain employment,with a vast knowledge of how to process records backlogs and purify up data bases,this is a no brainer on who to hire to clean up this mess.I'm looking at huge amounts of paper that people are too lazy to file.All of these records need to be transferred to a computer database.These veterans served their country without being drafted and deserve to receive their benefits pronto.There is no excuse for a backlog like this.some of these veterans are going to be hard to find as many have become homeless since serving.This is shameful to treat anybody this way.Fire this head honcho,offer early retirement to the senior slug civilian employees and bring in a fresh crew..

Eyepublius: Please let me know when you are hired so that I can send you my resume. I'm excellent at organizing, connecting networks and building databases. I'm also good at sorting out the detritus, and putting priorities in order.

I don't understand why we can't have this all now. It's not a matter of money, it's a matter of organization and prioritization. Of course, it will need a few bucks for the fix, but getting it together will fast track the process. Why the current VA is so far behind, technology-wise, is beyond comprehension. I see no valid excuses for these failures. The powers that be have had enough forewarning that our veterans should not be given short shrift upon their returns home.

Thank you for your service.

Gramps-2646644: I am not crazy about lawyers, but when we kept getting the run-around from the VA, someone told us about a lawyer who only handled cases for soldiers who were having difficulties getting their DESERVED disabilities. We were so thankful we found him. I was so afraid my husband would die before we could get his disability. I cried when the lawyer said he would not charge us a penny because he was ashamed of how the United States government had treated my husband. So, if your son is deserving, look for you a lawyer that handles these types of cases. They know the ropes. Veterans should not have to hire attorneys, but today unless you have all the time in the world, hire an attorney.

Times-Running-Out look who's an arse. GW Bush went to war with Iraq even though they had no involvement in 9-11 and lied about weapons of mass destruction, basically sending nearly 5000 troops to die and 32000 injured for no reason. It's the democrats that actually care for vets.

Lt. Dan...

Ex Military here too and I would not touch anything that had to do with VA. System has been left to fester too long and from first hand experience at dealing with the VA healthcare system out here in Long Beach, It's a giant cancer. Too many people that don't give a damn.

I applaud you for your caring though.

Now..PLEASE indulge me for a moment...

Lieutenant Dan, ice cream!!!!

Ok...I'm better now....If anyone thought even a serious thread was above reproach..well, then, you'd be wrong....

I don't know at what point the American people are going to come to their senses and rise up. We have become slaves for the top 1% and I include the politicians with that 1%.

my experience with the VA(Somerset Cty NJ) for the most part is one of frustration , part of the problem is alot of the people hired by the VA are the ones we used to derogatorally call "THE LIFERS"(I was USAF)..sure they did their 20 , but most of the time they skated walked around with a clipboard to give the impression of some sort of authority and never ventured to far from a coffee pot an ashtray or spent alot of time with their feet upon their desk like are dear POTUS does on the phone talking to God knows who...seems nothing changes ironically when they become civilians...lazy bastards .. were sticklers for AF reg 35-10 but yet they barely knew how to read TO's , fill out a 347 nor did you ever see them on the flightline working on aircraft even to train & supervise most especially if the weather was bad , and I'm sure every branch had this sort of lazy useless(mostly NCO's) self important individual in there ranks(our VA guy was Navy)...and now that they are employed by the VA their stock lamo answer is always look it up on the VA website when you have a question , instead of trying to give you assistance and guidance thru the beaurocratic maze that the gov't has created , to me they're doing the same thing they did while in the service , "skating" to that 2nd pension and making $50-75,000 a year doing it....thats where I see the problem is..to much dead weight doing nothing....they remind me of why I didn't stay in for the 20 myself in the 1st place , that wasn't my idea or way of leading....in the 70's their were just to many of these an-al orifices for my taste and sense of duty and I stayed 7 years on active duty and discharged honorably an E-5(73-80)..it so bad at the VA , I recently read an article at military.com of some guy in FLA who was kicked out of the Army after only 3 months but some how BS'ed his way to a 100% disability claiming he was wounded in combat but yet never went overseas and also recieved a wounded warriors vacation to Hawaii on the VA's dime...and I can't even get a measly 10% for hearing loss working around one of the loudest aircraft ever( F-111's)...hearing protection in those days was a joke , they issued these orange rubber flimsy ear plugs to stick in your ears... and this hearing loss was even documented during my discharge physical and this POS scammed these idiots for 100% ?..unfriggenbelievable...the problems with the VA are deep and mainly from the incompetents of these lazy a$$ lifer types..not to mention the employees that never served and were hired due to gov't affirmative action programs and frankly don't really care about the Vet......rant over...but I will give kudos to one VA employee , my primary care LPN at Lyons NJ VA , she has been great and is a hard working concientous caring person who has helped me immensely ..the VA needs more like her but they seem few and far between.....also we have a congress/senate and a POTUS that are not Vets...so they just don't get it....were just throw aways to them it seems at times

The House just passed the new/Old Ryan Plan...cuts benefits to Vets while giving more tax breaks to the Romneys/1%.

Rt wingers bitch about the V.A. Slow service for Vets....while they just voted against jobs bill for Vets while vets commit suicide at a record pace.

Repubs filibuster and block every bill that would help or be good for America...just as they pledged to do 4 years ago...just to make President Obama look bad. Repubs even blocked healthcare for 911 first responders....

Vote Democratic party...remove those roadblock republicons so we can help our Vets! The greedy rich don't need taxbreak loopholes, Our vets need benefits promised.

screminmimi, I totally agree with you. Since when do illegals get more rights and government assistance than those that fought and protected this country? Only when there is an alien leading our country.

Good luck in getting a community organizer to get this mess cleaned up!

It's not Republicans making a mess of things "starsailing". But, with your simple minded ranting you'll never question your own parties incompetence. The questions out there from many of us on whether you ever served anyway. You don't seem to have the integrity of retired military.

The problems at the VA have very little to do with politics or politicians. The problems at the VA are a classic example of "the road to hell being paved with good intentions".

In order to fully understand what's causing these problems one needs a thorough understanding of military culture, military duty, and federal bureaucracy.

Fact is, 90% of today's force,(regardless of branch of service), will never fire their weapon at an enemy combatant, nor will they ever come under direct fire. Even within the same branch of service,(I'll pick on my branch which is the Army), an 11B infantryman who stays in 8 years, will have a very different daily job description than say a POG 71L paper pusher. Yeah, in order to get the job done, the 11B needs the support personnel to succeed, but one of them is getting shot at wondering if he'll live to see his family again, and the other is safe at an FOB usually enjoying air conditioning, or worrying about whether he'll get hot chow that night.

When they get back from war, our "everybody's special" Government will guarantee that they come home with the same medals, and the ME generation will guarantee that they all tell the same "horrors of war" stories, even though 90% of them never got within a 100 miles of any actual fighting. This is evidenced by the recent uproar caused by DoD putting a lame ass POG drone pilot medal ahead of a Bronze Star.

Understanding these facts is imperative to grasp the problems that are currently engulfing the VA. Simply signing up for the military and deploying to a war zone does not entitle someone to be called a war hero. Not in my book anyway.

The problem at the VA actually starts in the recruiter's office when the new prospect is selecting his MOS. Since our society places great value on the ability to do the least amount of work, while drawing the maximum amount of pay, most recruits will select jobs that reflect the attitudes of our overall society. Since there is no draft to force lazy asses to select an MOS that will serve the needs of our country, most recruits select MOS's that serve themselves and no one else. Again the goal is "least amount of work" for "maximum amount of pay", not "serve my country".

Then there is that special 10%. They join for different reasons. Most frequently heard are "serve my country", "not go to jail", "wanted to see the world", and last but certainly not least, "I just wanted to blow some @!$%# up".

So fast forward 5 years. They get out with their honorable discharges, and go to looking for a job. Well what better place to seek employment than the Federal Government? I mean hell, just like the military, you can't really be fired, you don't have any real performance requirements that have to be met, you can pretty much just show up and draw pay, you get plenty of vacation and holidays, and essentially free health care!!!! And who pray tell does the VA give hiring preference to? Well returning vets of course!!! This is where the problem begins.

Since 90% of the recruits were lazy asses that just wanted to show up and draw pay, it stands to reason that 90% of the "vets" that VA employs as claims processors are gonna be lazy asses too . And since this is a protected group, you're damned if you criticize their performance.

The second problem at VA also revolves around the lazy ass ME generation. They believe that just a few short years of military service entitles them to lifetime healthcare, and a lifetime VA compensation package, whether they were injured during their service or not. Since it costs them absolutely nothing to apply and appeal over and over, they keep doing it hoping they get lucky. This is also exacerbated by the recent fact that many law firms now represent vets on a contingency basis. (no fee unless you collect). Logic would dictate that a lawyer wouldn't take the case if it weren't winnable, but this logic seems to no longer hold true.

Another problem is the recent advent of "presumed service connected" conditions. Well meaning politicians have slammed the VA with this one. Let's take a hypothetical situation. A guy enters the Navy in 1968 at the age of 20,(presumably healthy). He never gets anywhere near Vietnam, in fact he never leaves San Diego. He completes 2 years on his draft then gets out at the ripe old age of 22,never sustaining any injury during his entire military stint. 2010,(42 years later), he is now 62 and is diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. This is presumed service connected. Yup, that's right. He walks down to good old DAV, files his claim, gets a rating back at less than the 100% he feels he's entitled to,(100% is around 3k a month tax free, plus 100% healthcare coverage and medicine), then he calls up Mr. "no fee unless you collect" and appeals, and further adds to the backlog. Mind you, this example is just one of hundreds.

Keep in mind, the person who lost their legs to an IED in Iraq, won't be given anymore consideration than the person suffering from "presumed service connected" illnesses such as PTSD, sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or hearing loss.

The problems at the VA go much, much, deeper than any political party, politician, or bureaucrat. Throwing more money at this problem won't make it go away.

Americans will keep voting the same Politicians the money tells them to vote for, so eat cake people this is your vote at work. The Democrats want to tax and spend the Republicans don't want to pay taxes but still want to spend on their pork. Both parties are selling the country out and both parties need to be fired. We need to get third party candidates elected to dilute the rats nest and break up their monopolies. Divide and conquer buy off both parties, pass the hot potato of blame back and forth and watch the fools fight each other while they vote you right back in. Sheep being led to the slaughter it's just too easy, people don't pay billions of dollars to campaigns for nothing suckers.

Once again:

"Too many voters embrace feel-good propaganda that they want to hear instead of learning the basic facts about issues they care about. They should do a better job of calling out dishonest politicians -- and shunning media outlets that stoke political food fights."

http://money.msn.com/investing/11-things-wrong-with-congress

Semper Fi(delis) Eyepublius,

In most cases they will not hire you, their excuse is "Overqualified" as the H.R. Politically Correct Term for "Too Old" (Age Discrimination).

The current Veteran's Affairs System is not the same as before. I have been a US Military Veteran after many times after Vietnam, till now (back on Active Duty) so I have seen the changes to the Veteran's Affairs (previous name Veteran's Administration) numerous times.

You might try:

Contact President

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

I do know what the current problems with the Veteran's Affairs are; I am going to keep my mouth shut as not to get any sh!t in my mouth from all the manure uneducated no information non factual no firsthand experience opinions being flung all over everyone here.

They don't want solutions based on my decades of firsthand experience, and they cannot develop their own solutions because they do not want to figure out nor admit the Causes.

What the hell do you know of integrity, dr821? A ridiculous idealogue who toes the Repuke line only because his friends do, that's about as low as anyone can get. I think if a bunch of Republicans were asked to work the VA they'd end up in jail for theft by the time it was done with twice the backlog....that's judging by your recently past performance at, like, everything. That's if they'd take the job, since it doesn't have a ridiculously bloated salary. Attacking isn't fixing, but you people don't have any idea how to do much else so I guess you'll keep at it.

Black Knight you lie like a rug......

.President Obama did not remove 700 billion from healthcare....they invested the 700 billion from streamlining and upgrading the system...and put the 700 billion right back into it making MORE COVERAGE AT LOWER COSTS...

YOU ARE A LIAR on that issue. the RYAN PLAN ACTUALLY REMOVES THAT 700 billion AND USES IT TO OFFSET TAX BREAKS FOR THE LIKES OF ROMNEY.......

mattfromwash - GW Bush went to war with Iraq even though they had no involvement in 9-11 and lied about weapons of mass destruction, basically sending nearly 5000 troops to die and 32000 injured for no reason.

"Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it" - Chancellor Adolf Hitler.

Clearly obvious you were not involved with Afghanistan nor Iraq (wanting to know the Real Reason(s) you might get Killed). Every little detail was extremely important to us as Situational Awareness and Situational Intelligence to stay alive.

DR821 ....you are a name calling coward hiding behind your stained keyboard from your previous website you were on before coming to this one. If you sit around with others wondering whether I served or not....you have serious mental health problems that need attention. Seek help asap....Do try and offer some kind of solution for Vets or proof republicons helping Vets....we will be waiting....

David...is your last name ...Van Winkle....you had to be sleeping the last 20 years to not know the truth Matt posted. Rt wingers seem to read stuff about Hitler alot...they admire his teachings.

David-475775 ......to take a line by Jack Nicholson in the film A Few Good Men, "you can't handle the truth". We had no reason to be in Iraq what so ever.

starsailing

Your a fake. You hide behind your keyboard. Retired military carry themselves differently regardless of how difficult the burden. You're a fraud and a disgrace. You have mental problems. Get help.

Fat chance of that happening as Obama is to worried about other like the gays getting married, and his bid to make the Republicans look bad...

Yeah, this is one issue where I feel personally insulted when someone tries to make it political.

Lets recap the Iraq war.

1: The White House, Senate, and Congress vote almost unanimously to invade Iraq.

2: Democrat politicians start taking flak for their vote to go to war during the 05 election season.

3: Democrat politicians blame vote to go to war on faulty intelligence and White House lies,(Bush/Cheney).

With me so far?

The whole scheme would have to be predicated on the assumption that the White House has better CIA access than the Congress and Senate. Anyone with working knowledge of D.C., knows this is simply not true. Since when does a politician from the opposing political party take the White House's word on anything without independent research?

I could probably be persuaded to agree that the reasons for invading Iraq were never fully disclosed to the public, HOWEVER, if we were lied into a war, that lie transcended both sides of the aisle. Anyone who thinks differently is seriously misinformed, or just parroting talking points.

leave Starsailin alone, we all know he's a liberal troll, don't feed the troll!

GI JOE-1977278 I can agree that both parties were at fault but I remain strongly opposed in our invading of Iraq with our vets(hero's) paying dearly for it, and will be for years.

Obama urged to step in to fix VA backlog

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!

You might as well ask Barrack Hussein to present an effective budget. It will never happen.

The typical mindless Liberal/Progressive knee-jerk response to all problems is “SPEND MORE MONEY”!!!!!

Of course PMSNBC will never run any articles about the massive waste, fraud, abuse and corruption. Here are a few excerpts from the latest report from the House Committee on Government Oversight.

Federal government agencies rife with waste, fraud and abuse (WFA) have missed billions of dollars of savings by ignoring recommendations for improvement from their respective inspectors general, according to a new congressional report.

Once again, our own government is telling our own government that it isn’t listening to all the recommendations to SAVE MONEY!

How many recommendations? How much money?

Last year alone, federal agencies failed to respond to nearly 17,000 IG audit recommendations, which could have saved an estimated $67 billion, according to a report released Tuesday by the House Committee on Government Oversight. There has been a steady rise in the number of unimplemented IG proposals dating back to 2009, when committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., began surveying IG reports --from 10,894 then to 16,906 in 2012.

17,000 recommendations. SEVENTEEN THOUSAND RECOMMENDATIONS!!!!! At a cost of $67 BILLION.

More importantly the Inspector General proposals has increased by more than 6,000 in the past 3 years.

In reference to this article.

The five worst departments for responding to IG recommendations include the State Department, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and the International Development Agency. Three of those agencies – State, HHS and IDA—note that they have not had permanent IG’s to work with since 2009.

Hmmmmm, so we have massive backlogs for Veterans benefits but they don't respond to any oversight agency to find out why. Of course this makes sense only to the Liberals/Progressives who don’t care how much waste, fraud and abuse occurs in our criminal government because they never contribute, they only walk around all their life with their hand out and take more than they deserve.

http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/03/06/Government-Audit-Shows-Agencies-Waste-Billions.aspx#page1

This is just another example of the the longest running comedy in the United States called "The Government can't run anything right".

You will not believe your eyes or empty bank accounts after a year or two under BarrySoetoroCare.

Dr821....,I can take care of a sucking chest wound anytime........you have one on your head that can't be plugged...... Never any solutions or facts, or anything to contribute as usual......can't respond to facts I post because they are true...maybe ...saying you are sorry for sending troops to Iraq for war profits would be a start......The reason you can't is because you have no conscience and republicons are hoping for another war to get more!

I retired from the military in 2004 under President Bush. I've gone into debt nearly $400,000 to take care of injuries from my time in service. 9 years later and another President and the government is still unwilling to keep their side of the bargain which I signed up for. How much do we pay these millionaire Congressmen and the rest of these Washington politicians who take our tax dollars so they can have free medical care and retire at 100% pay? Why can't they take care of those very few (less than 1% of all Americans since WWI) who sacrifice and fight for the country? Why do veterans have to struggle so hard to get the benefits they were promised by our government?

that's nothing look at all of us viet nam vets that have not have our claims settled or denied.

Thanks to George W. Bush! First spending money for the war for "weapon of mass destruction" now this.

"WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?" (hillary clinton, 2013.)

You all think this is bad, wait until Obummercare comes online. We will all be waiting for years to get any health care issues aproved for care unless you want a suicide shot.

Capital is whining because healthcare will be getting better and more cost efficient....Just what the repubs don't want because they pledged to vote against America the very day President Obama took office to make economy worse.

Repubs like capital want everything privatized for higher profits for the greedy rich...that's why they Hate Obama....better healthcare and lower prices....means...less profits for the greedy rich.

Bush/Cheney should be forced to read every Vets problem story on this blog, then take the money from their war profits and apply it to restoring the vets claims and needs.......

Surtax the war profits and pay to the vets!

deberginct

You can put whoever you want in charge of the VA, but it won't matter one bit if the Obama administration won't put cash in the till. So far it's all words, and the reality is that 50% of the people believe his words alone will make everything better. I just can't believe how easily this politician has pulled the wool over this country's eyes.

I guess you missed the part of the 2013 Budget where he wants a 4.5% increase ($64 billion) in discretionary spending for the VA. Oops, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to toss a fact into your rant.

i am a veteran us navy 1970 -74 to all you vets out there bend over cause here it comes again! i was just at white rvr jct va yesterday and the kings obamacare is starting to take effect. cant get the meds my doctor would like to try until they sent me out to have tests done costing thousands of dollars! these guys in washington are either total friccin idiots or their in bed with someone. spent thousnads to save a couple bucks on pills. not to mention all the new paper work i have to fill out! i guess i would be better off if i was a deadbeat welfare sucker instead of serving my country at least i would get a free phone out of it.

Dan, first off, thank you very much for your service to our country.

Second,you DO realize that you are applying for a job headed up by someone who believes that Veterans should get regular heath insurance when they get out of the miliary, and that the private insurance should cover sickness and injuries that were military related.

Obozo doesn't want anyone to do the job. He wants someone who will keep it backlogged as long as possible so that veterans will either get fed up or die. Whichever comes first.

\

Out of 72 statements on this article, only a handful of contributors have stepped up to the plate to offer some solutions. The remainder are busy pointing fingers and blaming. I ask you, "How are we going to solve problems, if all we do is blame?" This is an all-encompassing problem, and it's time to stop. If folks are sincere about their points of view, then they need to get to work on them. Just growling and grumping gets NOTHING done. That's what's wrong with the current system, and that's why it FAILS.

If you want to make a positive effort, at least make a list of items and prioritize them: What gets fixed first, what gets put on the back burner, what affects what, etc. Post it here. Give those of us who will WORK to solve the problems a place to start. Make the effort, because if you don't, who will?

The VA does not want to "fix" the problem. My husband applied for benefits related to ischemic heart related to two tours of duty in Vietnam. He served as a River Rat, taking fuel upstream to the outposts. He was "rained on" routinely by planes flying over. The VA requested records from every doctor he had seen in the last 10 years. The first doctor, a total quack that we saw only twice before seeking a better doctor, stated that there was nothing wrong with my husband. The VA denied his claim on ischemic heart, related to that doctor's statements. He did get a 50% rating for PTSD. It took 20 months to get a rating at all. I joked may times that they were waiting for him to die. He did die on January 17th of this year. The autopsy showed clearly that he had severe ischemic heart disease. The VA is programmed to decline claims, to keep expenses down.

@starsailing your a "donkey's behind" and don't have a clue where the real problems are in the VA system alot of it is because of your belief in liberal feel good policies that have hired too many unqualified non vets and good many vets who were slackers in the 1st place to work at VA facilities due to affirmative action , nepotism, and a good 'ole boy culture which isn't giving us the best to serve the best...people who don't care and at times don't know what their doing ...INCOMPETENCE AND LAZINESS is the biggest problem and mounds of paperwork..NOT just Bush/Cheney(whom I don't like either) and Obama isn't going to do anything as nor did Clinton(draft dodger) , Reagan , Bush I , Carter , Ford , Nixon or Johnson ..to see it you have to be someone who uses it to see whats really wrong with it....I have felt this country has renigged on the contract I signed on with in 1973 because of these type of incompetent employees....its not Rep/Dem issue..its a congress and a white house over many many administrations that have failed the Vets of all conflicts and the not so cold at times" cold war"....long before I even enlisted ...the VA was even worse than it is now then from what I hear....and I'll bet your one of those turds that treated GI's as 2nd class citizens and pariahs of society back in the days of "Nam" and just after that conflict in the mid 70's , like it was our fault...I'll never forget that sort of treatment ...we didn't make the gov't policy we followed are orders and did our duty and our jobs...throwing money at the problem won't change anything..but cleanning the house out of the dead wood would IMO...every employee should be critiqued by us that use the VA and if they fail to make certain score over a set time period...terminate them and hire someone else that will do the job RIGHT

"and the beat goes on, and the beat goes on..."

I am a navy vet served in Nam and have been in the VA system, since 1986. I applied for disability back in 2010 and never thought that I would get it approved. I did. 100%. of course it took 120 days to receive that letter. But, with that, I got great retroactive back pay too boot, Now, I sit here at my desk and read the crap that is coming from both the libs and the cons. I haven't read one remark of what type of disability has been applied for. There are two types, one is non-service connected disability and of course the connected. Sure, I am sorry for my fellow warriors as to wait as to hear of positive results, but that is going to happen, in any government system and, if you think about whom is working in that government agency, is uneducated morons, in the adm section and not in the medical, (I can attest to this) as being in the Bay Pines community (so to speak) here in Fla.

I can give a prime example of sloppy adm. backlog of medication needed. I called for a refill of heart meds and was told that they would be sent on a certain day. that was three weeks ago. I called to find out what the hell happened? Got the response by the pharma, that the date of refill was not sent down to them. I questioned who was in charge of that dept and once had the answer, told them that the person was a moron, in no uncertain terms. that was the only time this has happened in all the years that I have been with the VA.

Now, as to get back of the back logs.. with the new crop of vets coming from Iraq and Afghanistan the VA is over whelmed with paperwork as for ratings. look how long it took to be rated for PSTD and from agent orange (from Nam). I know it is slow, and wish that it could be speeded up, but the idiots in Wash. are more concerned with illegals as to give them status in obamacare and taking away funds for continuing education for service personal, (one is full steam ahead and the other is going to be shot down) . And dummies should not be running the VA, (especially in Adm dept) as to clog the system. (Yes, as with anything else, it is political in a major way. but, that will not change, and if it does and the VA goes private, then all hell would break looses.

Now for the last thought of the day...people have mentioned about the Dems working for the health for the vet. BS. Take a gander of Tricare ins. what a joke, they, the dems want that co-pay paid by the VA vet. as for the Va to save a dime. when they, the dems want to spend and tax the hell out of everybody. and give money for complete nonsense for lib causes. The dems don't give a sh0t about the vet. never did, never will. the proof is in tricare, taking away funds for education while in service, ratings, saying we are terrorist and want to take away our guns, ect. yep, trust a lib. Bad mistake!!!

BTW...I applied back in 1986 for VA, never used it, before then, since my old man was a MD, and could get into a hospital, and receive meds, until he had to pay on his ins (Blue cross/ blue shield) and then decided to apply for medical care.

The game of chicken is getting real old ~ Congress can act like the big boys and girls that we elected and get going, as well. Having said that, I read an article about the DOD having no less than $170 Million earmarked to replace assault weapons even though it was determined that the number was too high and with the soldiers coming home, it was even higher. So, before you lambast the Prez, take a look at the Pentagon who is supposed to be fiduciarily responsible as well.

Simple problem, simple solution: most veterans actually deserve the benefits they apply for, therefore grant them their benefits. VA's own statistics show less than ten percent of claims are fraudulent. Put all the claims assistants into fraud checking after the fact. There goes the backlog! This was published in Readers' Digest in February 2010. I finally got 100 percent VA disability benefits in December 2011, first claim was in December 1978, only got one year back pay.

Hey GI JOE? Are YOU including yourself in your #1.46 rant against the 90% (if fact) non-combatants serving voluntarily like you?

Were you forced to be Infantry or chose it? I would submit you chose Infantry; others chose differently. ALL PERSONNEL play a part in the functions of the military, be it shooters or ITRWTG (In The Rear With The Gear) staff.

So the, I'll use "Others"...are lazy and their reason(s) for serving is questionable because YOU chose to be "in the action" shooting at & being shot at by the enemy but Others chose support roles? You do realize that for every shooter it takes 3-4 soldiers in support roles for that shooter, don't you? Sounds like you're saying "choose what I choose" or your service is not so honorble or well intended. Well, you're WRONG!

And leave the Navy out of your rant, ok? Why? If you were Navy, you'd know there's no such thing as "in the rear with the gear", while at sea onboard warships, regarless of whether your work-station is FORE or AFT on the ship.

Destroyers, Cruisers, Frigates, Subs, Carriers and Support Ships take ALL RATES / RANKS with them, so if a ship is attacked, ANY or EVERYBODY may die, Cook or Captain...it makes no difference. Get it? Feel free to insult your Army/Air Force personnel all you want, but I'm sure they would not agree with you either. YOU dishonor them because they are not you.

I commend yours and ALL OTHER military personnel's service no different because of the roles played. Thank you to ALL of our Vets.

I was a YEOMAN for 7yrs and served in VA/VFA-113. I made two WESPAC deployments onboard USS Ranger (CV-61) before shore-duty. You serve a sea-duty tour, then your shore-duty,if you re-enlist. GO NAVY!

DB akron: not only is funding down and less people at the VA , but the average wait time is 10-14 months to even get a response about even enrolling for benefits !

Our troops have sacrificed alot for this country and time and time again WE HAVE FAILED THEM !

We need more surprise news crews to show up at VA hospitals and to do stories that embarrass the white house to take action...

I'm currently using the Post 9-11 GI Bill and Obama signed (after I matriculated, mind you; planning my finances based on the previous version) an "improvement" to it that ended up costing me $15K per year in tuition.

He essentially reduced the payments to private schools to 15K per year down from being equal to the cost of a public school. I've heard people argue that it was to avoid paying ridiculously high private school prices but the most you could receive was the rate of public tuition anyway so....I think he just found a convenient way to cut costs.

I wouldn't be surprised if other similar things were happening with the VA healthcare system.

I'm not saying he's the devil, but he certainly is not doing right by veterans.

actually, Mike, the initial response should be instantaneous---look at ebenefits on the web, you can file your claim electronically, if you have one. The wait time is not near that long, though some cases do go to appeals which takes longer. Part of the reason of the backlog is that across the board, many legal definitions of what constitutes a service connected disabling injury have been liberalized---and we have more vets with more issues. In the past WWII vets were loathe to admit anything wrong. The system really did not get going until well after Vietnam, and now many cases have 15-20 issues that have to be addressed separately, and to the full extent of the law. If only we gave money as easily to vets as we do to corporate welfare recipients, war contractors, and wall street lobbyists.

Hey Tim... McCain actually voted AGAINST increasing the GI Bill... before you point fingers know your own party 1st. Doing "Right" by Veterans?? GOP will NEVER increase Veteran Benefits.. because you're no longer useful in stopping a bullet.

Mr BertandRusselljr you seem to understand what is at the heart of the problem that plagues the VA. You are absolutely correct!! The legal definitions you refer to is 38 CFR part 3 and 4. This is the law that tells the VA how to administer benefits. I applaud you for your insight. How do I know that you know what you're talking about? I work with the VA. Court decisions, changes in administration and change in law changes how we process claims.........in my experience evertime we learn of new court decisions or law changes we sigh,,,,and just know that another layer of redundant steps have been added to what is already a cumbersome process. The new transformation for the VA????? This does not streamline the process of working a claim...all it does it reorganize people within the organization and changes workflow. In other words the VA is re-arranging the furniture on the deck of a sinking ship..............this is only my opinion but I bet I am right in my assessment!!

As Usual DB Akron,

You can't ever get your right wing Bull$hit lies about Obama right can you dude???? Why don't you look at who keeps defunding the Va FOOL...... IT's your ring wing war monger Repuklican party...

Look at the votes in the Congress and Senate sir...

Did any on you geniuses ever hear of Congress. The House of Representatives, which is run by the rethuglicans, continues to disallow any increase in funds the President requests for the operation of any department. Just keep voting those creeps into power and blame it on the colored guy. See how easy it is?After all, he's just trying to single-handedly run the country since he can't count on any help from the hill. Geez.

Our President, as Commander in Chief, has the ability to apply a highly trained and highly competent workforce to the task of removing the backlog. Military Clerks are already familiar with the mumbo jumbo of military/government speak, and the President can work them 24/7 if he wanted.

Zombie. Don't lump me in with republicans...or democrats. They both suck and anyone who considers themselves a hardcore supporter of either is the equally to blame for the downfall of this country.

You, like so many others, believe in a false dichotomy. Just because I don't like democrats doesn't mean I like republicans.

For the love of God, learn to think for yourself.

And pay for it with what? It isn't like he can go in and fix the backlog by himself and the House sure as heck isn't going to turn loose with the money to fix the backlog and then once the claims are processed?? The Republican House already wants to cut/gut anything that even looks like an entitlement. They refused to pay for security upgrades at the Embassies but since Libya they have wasted more money on holding hearings than the the security upgrades would have cost. Fmr. Secretary of State Clinton's request is still laying on Boners desk 5 YEARS later, do you honestly expect them to cough up Billions to take care of Vetrans needs?

VA finding is "actually down" compared to what? Your statement is a ridiculous, vague lie with the vagueness designed to mask the fact that it's a lie. I am sick to f88kin death of you people "demanding Obama fix the VA" when Obama's not the VA director and "demanding Obama fund the VA" when YOUR Republican House members control the purse strings. I demand that anyone who says "Proud to be American, Ashamed of my Governement" pull your head out of your arse and accept responsibility for it. YOU ARE the government WHICH IS WHY IT'S SHAMEFUL. Obama isn't your goddamned slave: YOU get off your FAT ARSE and DEMAND that YOUR Republican Congress FUND the godamned VA, you fat, lazy, pathetic liars. Go to YOUR godamned TEABAGGER rally and get your lazy arsed compatriots to lobby YOUR Republicans in Congress, and if that doesn't work STOP REELECTING them!!! If you elected these people you should STFU, but Obama is running a whole country, not the VA whose tasked with taking care of the damage YOURS and George Bush's stupidity caused! The President of The United States CANNOT dissolve and usurp the authority of Congress of The United States who's in charge of the VA's funding. READ A BOOK. (Jesus-Effin-Christ, where do these morons come from, "newsmax"?!)

GBaby1....Great post.........

Hopefully these rt wing crazies get paid for writing that stuff...because if they actually do it because they just believe it....so sad to see people duped into thinking they are the same as the greedy rich 1% ROMNEY, ROVE , KOCH, RUSH, ETC.

We need to look at the "people" who are handeling the claims!

Most of them have been there and know they can't be fired due to thier time as "civil servants" and due to the quota system that was put in place Many Years Ago... If you get my drift.

I have found out that if you are of a particular, shall I say light persuation, you are going to have a hard time with the process!

This has happened on to many occasions with simple requests (where can I find this clinic)?

I can't get attention unless I like HIP HOP!

I thought the process was for everyboby.

Silly me.

Starsailing:

Please don't post when you are drunk. Thank you.

Ferndoc....go back to talking to your plants, maybe they will care to listen to you....we don't.

The VA problem will not be fixed as long as the Republicans rule the Congress.

This is a funding problem.

Congress either allocate enough money to fund services to vets, or they go on holiday and let vets wait. Speaker Boehner lets Congress takes two days off for every one they work, and those workdays rarely exceed four hours on the days that they work at all!

Our president has instructed the VA to fix this. but to hire several thousand claims processors, get them computers and telephones and desks, that takes a commitment from the Congress. That's just processing the claims. Congress then has to enact funding for the benefits themselves.

Currently, the Republicans are blocking all such funding. Currently, Republican chairmen are blocking any attempt to fix the jobs problems, the financial problems, the housing problems and this, the VA problem.

that's right! let the less healthy die uninsured so the rest of us don't have to wait in line! God bless America! Pass the chicken fried steak and 44oz. big gulp!

Bert....You know as well as I that what you suggest isn't happening. In fact, the people that have the lowest life expectancy already have universal care in medicaid.

except the ones that are just poor enough not to qualify, and not wealthy enough or employed enough to buy it themselves. You know, those 30 million plus folks.They are the ones running to the hospital with no insurance, which in turn up premiums for everyone else. Everyone is going to need health care sooner or later, so everyone should not only pay, but they should also be covered. We are the only advanced country in the world that does not offer health care to all of it citizens, and the model we have now does not work. This is why the Affordable Care Act was a victory for those that need it most.

Bert.....No, I bet most of them would pay cash instead of running to the hospital. Hospitals don't just let anyone in their for free. They often have to make a payment plan. We are the only one that doesn't have problems, but the situation in the VA is all too common in those other countries. I wouldn't call that modle working. I have seen it first hand in both the UK and Canada in regards to procedures that are not life threatening.

ok.

In fact, the people that have the lowest life expectancy already have universal care in medicaid.

Sorry, but that is not true.

We have the highest costs in the developed world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems

We aren't even close to the best systems.

http://www.businessinsider.com/best-healthcare-systems-in-the-world-2012-6?op=1

If we had a better system we would lower costs AND improve our care.

Mike-259... you wrote,

..but I wouldn't hold my breath about biden calling you "he cant read" and thinks everything is a punchline !

It is "Biden" - not biden. Biden is a proper noun, and proper names that are proper nouns are always spelt with the first letter in capital!

It is "he can't" or "he cannot"...not "he cant"

And punchline is usually spelt "punch line".

Mr. Mike 298...., you cannot read or write. But I'll give you credit for "arrogance and self importance"

Big ego with too much ignorance, lots of confidence with poor self awareness and too many opinions with too little thinking spells "idiocy".

That is why we are becoming rapidly an "Idiocracy". People like you, who accuse someone else of not being able to read while writing badly, make "Idiocracy"!

You are officially added to the statistics on "American idiots"! Please congratulate yourself. I am sure your big ego can take it!

Dr. MS

Do you mean spelled? The word spelt means "an ancient wheat" usually used by the British. You need to be very careful when pointing out someone elses faults. 'Ever hear the story about people in glass houses? You might want to watch out for broken glass.

NEVER capitalize joke biteme's name, it is very bad form!

The most effective system for managing health on a national scale is a single-payer system. Insurance requires extra personnel to process paper. It requires executives to determine how to increase profitability by denying claims. Single payer system instead is focused on managing costs.

The Va is a single payer system. Either you are on the list or not. If you are on the list, you get health coverage. No insurance forms, if you have the card you can go to any VA hospital or facility.

Single payer is the best way to control costs and get the most benefits to the most people.

Jon Peckham II,And that is it in a nutshell.The V.A. has probably not hired any new employees to make sure that this backlog didn't occur in the first place.

Even though the GOP Tea Partiers will object, hire more clerks, more veterans, to work in the VA.

I think oblamo would rather fill those jobs with ILLEGAL Mexicans...he cares more about them than American Veterans...

Oblamo is incapable of "fixing" anything (although he sure seems to have put our economy in a hell of a "fix"!)

Ferny............Yeah he did a hell of a fix all right, restored jobs back to above the freefall level , Wallstreet setting records everyday, manufacturing setting record profits, fixing all kinds of things despite your pledges to vote against America. So well in FACT...President Obama was re elected.....!!!!!!!

Gordo.......WRONG as always.....Why the Ryan plan the house just passed cuts more benefits for Vets and give more tax breaks for the greedy rich.......REAL Americans check the reality pages.....they don't watch Fox news or make things up like you!

Thank you! The first --and possibly, only -- sensible, and accurate comment in this thread.

I am a VA employee. So, I guess, according to most of the posters, I am one of the thousands of stupid, lazy, uncaring, good-for-nothings, who are responsible for wasting unimaginable sums of money, and for ruining the lives of deserving veterans and their families.

I am not a veteran, and I did not get my job because I am part of a minority group, or any other group, that so many of you seem to hate. Like thousands of my colleagues, I have a post-grad education. I'm going to look past the majority's insults, and let anyone who is really concerned with the truth, know that VA employees care more than any people I have ever had the pleasure of calling "co-workers." VA employees are part of a culture that deeply honors and respects our veterans, and we consider it an honor and privilege to serve them--this is no bull; it is why we chose the VA, and why we come to work each day.

We are severely understaffed in most areas, at most facilities, across the nation. We use outdated equipment; various software programs that don't crossover with each other, resulting in the need for duplication of "productivity;" work flow processes that don't "flow" expediently or efficiently inter-agency; we often need to trade office supplies with each other--i.e.: Liquid Paper, for a couple of legal pads; a handful of binder clips, for some Scotch Tape or yellow highlighter pens--and, many of us have to purchase our own desk calendars, organizers and other common work aids, in order to try to get our routine tasks done properly.

The IT servers are very slow, and outages are common. This creates, and/or adds to backlogs in our workloads, across the system. Much of our data input, in all areas of the VA, is manual--in other words, there is very little automation; millions of encounters that are already in the electronic system, are opened, and their corresponding entries are entered, one-by-one, by hand.

Offering new ideas, submitting suggestions for change, is very difficult; close to impossible. Numerous federal forms need to filed through several chains of command, and, if an idea is finally considered, it often takes years to be reviewed, let alone, implemented. Meanwhile, many egos have been ruffled...

Our Secretary and our President would do well, in my opinion, to create an emergency task force, made up of representative VA employees at all levels, from across the system (including VHA) to report on, and make recommendations on the key needed improvements--and, then, be willing to act upon the recommendations.

You can not blame the President for the lack of effective management of the VA without Congress providing the proper funding. These wars cost a lot, and we never ever asked the taxpayers to pay for them. Now, there is not enough money to take care of our veterans.

We should enact taxes to provide benefits to these wonderful people who have served our nation selflessly while the rest of us sat and profited while the vets were out doing the 'heavy lifting' for the rest of us.

As long as the Republican partisan Congresspeople continue to block progress in a continuing effort to make the Democrats look bad, America's veterans will suffer.

Solution: Get the Republican obstructionists out of Congress!

corporate lobbyists?

Illeagals have priority with the Demodogs!!!

illegal citizens vote by the millions? Or did the old white people vote just dry up when Romney came a callin'?

The GOP Tea Party members in the House of Reps and in their respective Red States considers the VA a, "government entitlement," that must be cut and/or eliminated. (Of course, they want themselves and their conservative peers to be exempt from these cuts).

Back in 2004, Bush wanted to slash the VA's budget 11 months after he declared, "Mission Accomplished," during the second year of this decade-long war, started on the basis of his and Cheney's manipulations and lies.

And now -- since a Democrat of a mixed race sits in the White House -- Ryan, Romney and Bachman separately proposed to slash the VA's budget. In each case, the Oval Office said no to any of their proposed automatic cuts. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be stopping Paul Ryan and his friends in the House from continually proposing these cuts, though.

House passes GOP budget plan promising deep cuts

http://www.nbc29.com/story/21752947/house-on-track-to-pass-budget-plan-with-deep-cuts

best president of the last 30 years, hands down.

Only if your Gay, an illegal alien or on Govt assistance. I see where your comming from Bert and Russell. However i beg to differ.

I beg to differ. I'm a US citizen, Navy vet, and college grad with a full time job. Lost my previous job during the GOP led wall street meltdown, and now I own a home, have a family, and a solid job. that's not possible unless the current president's policies go into effect. He's not only been great to folks like me, but to the less fortunate and marginalized people among us like the ones you mentioned.

your home ownership, job, and especially having a family have nothing to do with any president, so get off your knees with the hero worship...

hmmm...again, the president sets forth his agenda that trickles down and gets enacted by the legislative branch, which in turn effects all of us. So you're saying that every president since Washington has nothing to do with the fortune or folly of the citizens he leads?

maybe,maybe not.I can recount a similar time just after gulf 1 ended.it was 'all quite on the western front' to say.The then va secretary paid a visit to cntrl texas.it took all but 10min from time he came in the facility I was at then to come,see,and leave.A bit different problem today true,but its in the plumbing I think,and should be unclogged asap.I never had or have a problem giving my time up to any vet who needs it more.

Read your Constitution: While the President has many powers, however, providing funds for the Veterans Administration is Congresses' job. Republicans in Congress are defying the will of America.

The lack of funds at the VA is the clear result of Republican cost-cutting so they could rationalize the biggest tax windfall ever for the wealthiest Americans (eleven years of underpaying their taxes, funded by inflating the national debt under Bush and Cheney).

If the Bush tax cuts had not given all those billions to the wealthy, we could have funded the VA much better.

This is the direct result of Republicans in Congress blocking funding for the President's programs!

Vic, I spent six in the AF, also worked with people from all services and Marines could always be counted on. Went to various schools with personnel from all services and Army was worst, except for Rangers. Why is it the ones that should be best are worst and the ones that are first to go and last to know are best?

Drink that koolaid and this is what happens!

Wow. Never thought the Dem brainwashing was that effective.

brainwashing? check out how many former or current democrats served in the military vs. republicans. Now look at those that clamor for war, and those that employ reasoned, restrained sense. Finally, check out what republicans did to vietnam vets like John Kerry and Max Cleland. Most republican politicians, when not arguing for women to accept rape, vilifying gay marriage while disrespecting their own, are busy flapping their chickenhawk wings loudly, signifying nothing.

BertrandRusselljr

brainwashing? check out how many former or current democrats served in the military vs. republicans. Now look at those that clamor for war, and those that employ reasoned, restrained sense. Finally, check out what republicans did to vietnam vets like John Kerry and Max Cleland. Most republican politicians, when not arguing for women to accept rape, vilifying gay marriage while disrespecting their own, are busy flapping their chickenhawk wings loudly, signifying nothing.

Speaking of miltary service and rape, how is that draft evading sexual predator hero of the liberals - Slick Willy (aka "BJ") Clinton?

NH....you talking about Bush jr going AWOL to campaign for $$$$$$ ?.......Or Bush/Cheney lying nation and world into Iraq war killing over 100,000 and thousands and thousands more wounded and dying and still suffering(see above posts) while the greedy rich reap the war profits!

Maybe you would like to talk about Traitor Nixon who blew up the signing of the peace negotiations about to take place killing another 22,000 American and wounding thousands more....Yes?

How about a surcharge tax on all the war profiteers that Cheney gave no bid contract to(only repub companies were allowed)to give back some of that profit to pay for our Vets?

Actually I was talking about Bill Clinton evading induction into the armed forces and gaming the system so he could head off to England to lead protests against the war and start his career as a sexual predator; while some of us who were not as well connected (or rich) as Clinton, Biden etc served.

Sure lets have the discussion and while we are at it we can discuss why your master and "supposed" CIC isn't doing anything to insure that those he continues to send into harms way are being taken care of?

He doesn't have the power to fix it when Conservatives vote NO for any Veteran Benefit.. they will NEVER vote yes to someone no longer in service.

a---rand (#15):

What a stupid comment! You can't be serious, can you???? WAKE UP! The Repuklican-controlled Congress is the problem! All they can think about is cutting taxes (but God forbid they cut their own $175,000.00 salaries and shift that money to Veterans' benefits) and giving everything to the rich (AND Big Oil). They are the ones who don't give a rat's behind about our veterans AND our servicemen/women.

Roger that.

In addition to employing the veterans it would definitely get the job done!!

The Government was pushed into hiring minoreties that should never have been put there!!!!

what about minority veterans? are they ok?

what the hell is a minority vet? A Hispanic, black, indian, what? I thought that someone who went into service and came out was a VET. Now we have a new lib name for vets. Majority, minority. Whewww!!!

Yeah, the Dem billionaires are just chomping at the bit to give up their money too. Listen, the wealthy made their American dream come true. Just because we didn't doesn't mean we need to equalize the scales. The Dems and liberals are laughing their asses off at the "proles" who are doing the dirty work for them. Wake the hell up.

Obama is too busy lobbying for a Palestinian state....

deberginet:::: Polosi-Feinstein - Reid - Kennedy - Bidden- Obummer to name a few !!!

Rt wingers bitch and name call, Dems ask what can we do to help....rt wingers block the solutions as they pledged to .......rt wingers then complain about the the problems they caused by blocking solutions and blame all other people for nothing getting done.

At the beginning of the Iraq war....our troops had outdated bullet proof vests, unarmored vehicles etc...NO preparation as Bush had NO plan once in Iraq....Al Franken and Parents of troops mobilized and started the solution by investigating and forcing the solution. Parents were buying equipment for their sons and daughters before Bush would help. Too busy hiding on record amount of vacation....sure as hell wasn't looking for Bin Laden either.....

Vote out the roadblocking republicons....1% do not need those tax loopholes...our Vets need their benefits first!

Our veterans would benefit greatly if we were to stop giving billions to countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, not to mention F-!6 's , tanks, and other weapons made available to terrorists states, governed by Islamists... for all that we must thank our " commander in chief."!

J. Sh. #18.5:

I know you're referring to the FORMER commander in chief, GWB. (Did you forget that he started this war???? Guess so.) Plus your beloved Repuklicans in Congress (who hold the majority and could get something done quickly to help our vets) only care about cuts, cuts, cuts except for themselves.

To you libs out there...

I remember back in the 60's and 70's. this was the time that the rumdumbs were taking drugs and protesting the war in Nam, think they were called liberals. They not only protested, but became draft dodgers and ran to Canada. some (SDS) and (Weathermen) even bombed recruitment centers. and when we vets returned home, you were not done with us. You bitched and complained that we received benefits, as funding for school and free medical. you sang that same old song, "here comes back the baby killers." and when we went to college or university, you downgraded us in history and political science class. oh how I do remember those days. now, it is 2013 and you baby boomer libs have a different tune to sing, called, "we got to help the Vets. unbelievable!

The tea nuts? Really? Are you that stupid that you type a statement like that without any real information or knowledge of the situation? You left or Obama people or whatever you are, are just ridiculous in your admiration of this administration that I swear if they took your kids out and beat them on national tv you all would blame Bush, or Fox news, or tea party people to defend them.

Unfortunately, I'm quite aware of it. And I am more aware of how political misinformation gets people like you to spout this kind of drivel. It's a game of posturing and negotiation, played at a level beyond your scope. You are the one who has no idea of what is going on. Unless of course, you are a key member of Congress, the administration, or the backers thereof.

Quit being an internet billboard. It's demeaning.

bigobama.....Where is your link story for proof?...oh that's right...a teabagger email.....made by Rove and and Koch Bros.uh huh!

My sister worked 2 hospitals in Calif/Surg Nurse.....overwhelming number of wounded vets coming through...and the posts of vets and families above in postings verify that fact. Just like not having a plan once in Iraq....Bush and his band of chickenhawks had no plan or $$$ to pay for the vets and war.....Oh wait....Bush said the oil from Iraq would pay for it......How's that working for ya?......took years to put the oil fires out first...DOH! War profits were well planned out though...they got their billions!

Can you say that in English?

Here it is in english:The only thing Republicans have a reputation for as far as veterans, their healthcare or any healthcare system in the government is when they're stealing from it while simultaneously using it as an example why government should be dismantled and/or destroyed. No person has any room to criticize a government that they are committing treason against by word and deed. Veterans are a group to be used by republicans for false wars, fake patriotism and sympathy after which they want them to go away quiely and die cheaply. The VA is a "socialist" program that republicans have consistently stolen from or 'un' and underfunded just like Medicare, soc Sec and Medicaid, NSF, etc. while railing against it at TeaBag rallies. If they cared about Vets they'd never have sent such amazing, talented, young patriots to lose limbs and suffer in a useless, unwinnable lie like Iraq and would've focused on Bin Laden more.

DKL....The greedy rich 1% push the less government theme...because they want to privatize all operations for ...PROFITS for themselves. Like dismantling Soc Sec, Medicare and the Post Office....

So they bitch and tell everyone how bad government is....then they run for office....(if so bad why do they want to be in office?)republicons and teabaggers......and do everything they can to eliminate taxes on the very rich.....

oh....yeah...they want you ...the middleclass and poor and vets to pay for their taxbreaks...There...does that help you? Simple truth is so clear.

Just wondering who that is.....George Soros? Warren Buffet? John Kerry? Nancy Pelosi? Bill Gates? Hollywood celebrities? Kennedy family? Rockafellers? You people always try to make everyone believe all liberals are poor. Some real honesty would be nice for a change. There are rich people on both sides of the fence. You want to check out some interesting stats, try looking up who gives more to charity....right or left. Biden donated a whopping $300 a couple of years ago. Wow, what a guy!

Republicons....are the GREEDY Rich ......

Being rich is not bad,,,,,but GREEDY rich repubs love taking American jobs overseas so they can hide their profits in off shore accounts....

Greedy rich republicons block removing tax breaks for companies taking American jobs overseas.

Greedy rich republicons vote against jobs bill for Vets.

Greedy rich republicons just passed a budget in the House cutting benefits to vets while increasing tax breaks for themselves.....See the difference being rich and the greedy rich republicons?

Actually, those people we refer to as "vets" are just asking for the fulfillment of the promise. Young men and women signed-on to participate in two wars that very few Americans understood from the start, and fewer Americans understand today. The commitment from the DoD was to be there for our returning vets in the event they required specialized support following one or more tours in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. No one could predict in 2003 what 2013 would bring, because our leaders never planned for a ten-year war. The net results for many who feel forgotten or felt cast aside can be reviewed daily all across our country. The magnitude of the problem has overwhelmed the bureaucracy, and the solutions might just be found outside the government bureaucracy. We had a trial run at these issues forty years ago, and the net results of that war can be reviewed daily at VA Hospitals all across America. The VA System is not broken, it is overwhelmed, and the old men who sent our youth to war in 2003 are now faced with the daunting task of funding the recovery. Like Wall Street, those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan need a tarp, not as a bailout, but rather as cover and support as they rebuild their lives. Perhaps every Member of the House and Senate should volunteer one day each week at a VA Hospital or VA Claims Center. If the media can find these stories of our forgotten vets, why is it our political leaders fail to hire professional guides to lead them to these problems, and perhaps the solutions needed by millions of returning troops with issues yet defined and uncovered. We are seeing the tip of the iceberg.