Here Are the Enemies of America's Veterans.. :( It's not Eric Shinseki..

[Cha]

[Cha]

1. ..

[AnalystInParadise]

5. Also the Veterans Legion

and the CVA, I suspect the VFW will be not be far behind.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/05/politics/veterans-groups-seek-shinseki-resignation/

[AnalystInParadise]

2. They are part of the problem.

Shinseki and the corruption in the VA is the other half of the problem. What about the lying about wait times, or the lying about suicides, or the lying about psychiatric care, or the lying about drugs stolen and sold........seems to be a culture of lying in the VA. I suspect it was there before Shinseki but after 6 years it doesn't seem to be getting any better. Seems a respected member of the Congressional Black Caucus feels that Shinseki is to blame. As does Jon Stewart. And another.....Congressman Barrow of Georgia also feels that Shinseki is part of the problem.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/05/21/john-barrow-becomes-first-democrat-to-call-for-shinsekis-resignation/

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/05/20/jon-stewart-explodes-in-epic-rant-on-va-scandal-fix-this-fcking-thing/

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS22897.pdf

[Cha]

14. Eric Shinseki is not the problem.. I give you Skidmore's on the ground personal experience..

"Back during the Bush years, the husband of a friend of mine worked on the staff at a VA hospital. He witnessed similar shenanigans used with psychiatric patients there. He reported it and his fellow docs did everything under the sun to squeeze him out of his job to the point that he was in great distress himself. This sort of duplicitous gaming has been going on for years in the VA. It does not surprise me that Shinseki was unaware. We have seen it surface from time to time. Remember the mess with mold growing in the hospitals? The VA system is overtaxed in the extreme right now. It is underfunded, understaffed, and the patient rosters are filled to the max. This is a systemic issue and it needs to be addressed by the Congress by more than grandstanding and speechifying."

http://sync.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4983723

[Scarsdale]

68. Blame

All the people connected to profits from W/Cheney's two wars, should have to forfeit those profits to the VA. They vote to send the young people off to war, profit from it, then ignore them if and when they return. How many of those useless representatives actually served? Count out McCain, he would not have been captured had he followed orders. Besides, he was well protected by being related to his father and grandfather's high ranks. These people listed will be first to vote for the next war.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

84. Or the Right Wingers who claim there are no homeless vets while they claim we spit on soldiers.

[Egnever]

3. You know I was listening to one of the right wing blowhards the other day

Going on and on about how this situation was a disgrace and we should be ashamed. I kept thinking wait, havent your guys consistently voted against veterans benefits for years now?

I am constantly amazed at how these guys get all outraged and pretend they aren't a large cause of the problem. They are masters of wearing pins and mouthing support but when it comes to the vote they consistently deny veterans benefits.

[Cha]

7. The gopa$$holes give lip service to the Vets and then Vote Against them, Egnever!

[Marie Marie]

11. But wait Cha...

I'm sure every one of these Republicans have one of those cheap, plastic, made in China "Support Our Troops" ribbons on their vehicles. See, they ARE doing their part.

[Cha]

13. They're Disgusting, Marie Marie. :(

[Bernardo de La Paz]

67. Coming home

[Cha]

69. Excellent depiction of what republicans blab about but when it comes time

to do something it's a big resounding "NO!".

thank you, Bernardo de La Paz

[NuclearDem]

4. I've no doubt the general is doing what he can to fix the problem.

But I hold absolutely no grudge against anyone who's angry at the VA because they've lost someone close to them.

[Cha]

8. :(

[Egnever]

6. Here are some more

Last edited Wed May 21, 2014, 11:40 PM - Edit history (1)

DETAILS OF BILLS REJECTED BY REPUBLICANS:

H.R. 466 – Wounded Veteran Job Security Act – This bill would actually provide job security for veterans who are receiving medical treatment for injuries suffered while fighting in defense of their country. It would prohibit employers from terminating
employees who miss work while receiving treatment for a service-related disability.

H.R. 1168 -- Veterans Retraining Act – This bill would provide for assistance to help veterans who are currently unemployed with their expenses while retraining for the current job market.

H.R. 1171 – Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization – This bill would reauthorize programs in support of homeless veterans, to assist them with job training, counseling, and placement services through the Department of Veterans Affairs through 2014.

H.R. 1172 -- Requiring List on VA Website of Organizations Providing Scholarships for Veterans which does nothing more than direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to include information about scholarships for veterans.

H.R. 1293 -- Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act of 2009 – Here’sanother bill in support of those who have fought for their country, passed by House Democrats and blocked from becoming law by Republicans.

This would increase the amount paid by the VA to disabled veterans for necessary home structural improvements from $4,100 to $6,800 for those who are more than 50% disabled, and from $1,200 to $2,000 who are less than 50%, disabled. This means, if a veteran lost the use of his legs in service of his country, the country will pay for the wheelchair ramp so that he can live at home.

By the way, the last time this ceiling was lifted was in 1992. There isn't even a fiscal reason for being against this bill, as the total cost of this bill, according to CBO estimates, would be a “whopping” $20 million. That's about a quarter (25 cents) per family of four.

H.R. 1803 -- Veterans Business Center Act – This bill would set up a Veterans Business Center program within the Small Business Administration, which would specialize in such programs as grants for service-disabled veterans, help them develop business plans and secure business opportunities. In other words, folks, it would create jobs and offer opportunities those who have fought in defense of our country.

H.R. 2352 – Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act – This bill essentially combines a number of other bills that Republicans had blocked in the Senate previously, and adds a few elements. The bill would again establish a Veterans Business Center Program; .... it would establish a Military Entrepreneurs Program; ...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/16/1091597/-GOP-Voted-Against-7-Bills-to-Help-Veterans#

[Cha]

9. Thank you this, Egnever..

[AnalystInParadise]

10. I also thank you for this

The Repukes are at least 55% if not more of the problem here. The mechanism to replace them is elections. The mechanism to replace Shinseki is resignation. I am fine working towards both goals. The manager takes the blame, you fire the boss, not the team. As for the Pukes, now is the time to start organizing to replace each and every one of them.

There is nothing wrong with working to elect Democrats to replace these Republicans and ALSO demanding the resignation of Eric Shinseki.

I know some people think you can't multi task, but I am here to promise that it is ok.

[moondust]

12. Is there a link to this list?

Is it only Republicans "rejecting" these?

Why aren't the media reporting on them?

Thanks!

[Egnever]

29. Added link

Sorry!

Looked into one of them and it passed the house and died in the senate.

Heres a story on one of the votes.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2012/09/23/senate-gop-obstructionists-throw-veterans-under-the-bus-vote-down-bill-to-help-vets-in-need-of-jobs/

[copperearth]

38. The media won't report on it

because it isn't "sexy". Much more interesting to look for scapegoats in the Democratic hierarchy. Can't blame the Repubs for not helping veterans, heaven forbid!

[moondust]

40. That's that librul media for ya.

[ancianita]

24. Wow. Seven damned times. Talk about enemies. Vets have to know this despicable shit.

[YOHABLO]

35. Yes, thank you for printing this. Let the truth be told.

So when they have their big congressional inquiry lets just watch how these Repugs will blame Obama for the underfunded needs of our service men and women. MSM will follow suit .. lets see how CNN and the rest cover this. We know how FOX will cover .. that's a no brainer.

[Scarsdale]

78. Experience

Mitch McConnell will NEVER need to utilize the VA, after all he only served 6 days in the army. He was discharged after "an incident in the showers" Imagine stooping to pick up the soap, standing up to find the Turtle grinning at you! Fortunately, he found a "beard" in the form of an Oriental woman and gave her a high paying job in government. Why do the people in Kentucky vote for this useless person? He is now a multi millionaire, he should retire.

[Cha]

15. ..

[Cha]

16. ..

[ancianita]

17. Thank you. It's important to keep that out front and center.

[Cha]

18. Thank you, ancianita!

[Cha]

19. ..

[Cha]

20. ..

[raising2moredems]

21. The VA has been understaffed and underfunded for years

My great-grandpa was in Hines VA Hospital in the late 50s - a WWI vet. My parents described the place as horrid at the time. As with all too many government programs, little, if any, analysis, planning, and/or review is done.

[Cha]

22. Yes, and I've heard from respected DUers whom I "known" over the years

that there's been vast improvement since Shinseki took over. But, so much More to go, raising2moredems!

[MohRokTah]

23. DU Rec

[Cha]

26. Thank you, MohRokTak!

[AnalystInParadise]

25. Oh BOG

you amuse me so...........

[Cha]

27. Too bad you're not "amusing".

[AnalystInParadise]

28. I suggest you read for comprehension

You amuse me, I don't amuse you. Try to keep up please.

Mahalo Nui Loa...........

[Cha]

30. All you have are insults.. but thank you for kicking this Thread for the VETS.

[AnalystInParadise]

32. I am a vet (recently retired)

so I don't mind kicking myself.

You are fun.

[Cha]

33. Our Vets..

Thank you for your Service, AIP~

[Cha]

31. ..

[Shemp Howard]

34. Shinseki must resign.

Shinseki is a good and honorable man. But he must resign. This outrage happened on his watch, and he is ultimately responsible. There must be real consequences for a failure.

Consider the captain of a naval vessel. Suppose he is in his cabin when the officer at the conn runs the vessel aground. And let's further suppose the grounding is due to old and unreliable equipment.

No matter. That captain's career is over. It might be unfair, but that's the way it has to be. Otherwise, no senior officer need worry about anything. Just blame someone else, and move on.

[Cha]

36. I disagree.. Skineski needs to stay.

[Hekate]

46. No. This outrage has been going on for decades, and he's trying to clean it up. I'm sick to death...

...of Dems caving to GOP demands that the Obama Administration fire someone every time they (the GOP) get a bug up their collective butts, which is a chronic condition for the GOP in Congress.

[MADem]

51. Rick is a good guy and he can fix this.

Get rid of all those cretins who started out as appointees and switched to General Schedule three quarters of the way through Bush's term.

I think Zero Forgiveness is bullshit, myself. Every situation should be viewed in context.

Did you know if the Navy always applied that stupid "ship running aground" rule, that we never would have had an Admiral Chester Nimitz?

The war scare over, Decatur operated independently for almost two years in Philippine waters. In July 1908, on entering an unfamiliar harbor in Manila Bay she ran aground and had to be towed off the next day. Relieved of command and court-martialed, Nimitz was found guilty of “neglect of duty” and sentenced to a reprimand. The Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Naval Forces Philippines declared in his endorsement, “The promulgation of the proceedings and sentence will be regarded as constituting in itself the reprimand.” Later in life, as an admiral, Nimitz was quick to cite this incident when questioned if anyone who ran a ship aground could have a future in the Navy.

[Cha]

54. Than Thank you for this, MADem.. I use to live in Ocean Beach, California and we had a

Nimitz Blvd running through town. I never did know who he was until now.

[Shemp Howard]

73. Good point regarding Nimitz, but...

It is worth noting that Nimitz still paid a price for his actions, having been found guilty of "neglect of duty", as you mentioned. That was probably unfair, but as I noted previously, it really has to be.

When there is a major foul-up, someone in a command position must feel some pain. However, that is often not the case. In my profession (I am a public school teacher), I often see new (and poor) curriculum fail. When that happens, the teachers get the blame. Never the supervisors who picked the curriculum, and who were supposed to be monitoring the effectiveness of the curriculum. No, it's a teacher or two who gets reprimanded (or even fired). Luckily, that's never happened to me.

I'm sure every person has work stories similar to mine.

So yes, people in command positions need to feel some pain if and when something fails. It is the best way to keep them focused on the job.

And as an aside, I wish the GOP would stop crowing about all this. The VA scandal is deplorable, but much of it can be traced back to Bush II's disastrous decisions. Did Bush resign after no WMD's were found in Iraq? Nope.

[MADem]

82. If the teachers teach what the school district demands, then the teachers should not be faulted.

However, Rick Shinseki is a really TALENTED leader and administrator. It would be a shame to toss that over the side because he was blindsided and bullshitted by entrenched entities. At minimum, there's a six month curve for any leader to acquire the culture of of an organization, and another six months to really get the vibe. That would leave a new guy almost no time in this administration to get stuff done.

I will wager that a lot of the people who were troublemakers at the VA with regard to this matter were Bush era appointees who slid over to General Schedule jobs to preserve their paychecks. There are a lot of those creeps in government, and once they get on that GS hayride, they never get off. The irony is, if they had to apply for the job like the rest of the minions out there, they wouldn't qualify--they only qualify based on a job they were unqualified for and got appointed to!

As for Chester Nimitz, it didn't really hold him back, big picture--Fleet Admiral/CINCPAC/POA is nothing to sneeze at! There weren't many "O-11s" in Naval history and he was one of 'em.

[Cha]

94. And, thank you again, MADem! I'll wager on that one, too.

"I will wager that a lot of the people who were troublemakers at the VA with regard to this matter were Bush era appointees who slid over to General Schedule jobs to preserve their paychecks. There are a lot of those creeps in government, and once they get on that GS hayride, they never get off. The irony is, if they had to apply for the job like the rest of the minions out there, they wouldn't qualify--they only qualify based on a job they were unqualified for and got appointed to!"

[applegrove]

37. Shame!

[Cha]

39. Indeed, applegrove.. cutting Vet Funds to keep their Koch Billionaire Donators Happy.

[bnolkyz]

41. Shinseki is one of the Good Guys

He warned us about Iraq. Remember? Fuck those who want him to resign!

[Cha]

42. Mahalo, bnolkyz.. And, welcome to DU!

[bnolkyz]

43. Thanks!

[Cha]

44. You're Welcome!

[Hekate]

45. Thanks, Cha. Straight party line vote, too. nt

[Cha]

47. Mahalo for Highlighting that, Hekate! Thank you!

[Cha]

48. ..

[Cha]

49. ..

[Cha]

50. Kick for those who are

too busy!

[napkinz]

52. ...

When Fox News Shrugged Over A Military Care Scandal (Hint: Bush Was President)
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2014/05/21/when-fox-news-shrugged-over-a-veterans-care-sca/199406

[Cha]

53. Yes, the republicons went nowhere calling for Kathleen Sebelius' resignation so now they're Going

after Eric Shineski the Head of VA.

thank you for these graphics, napkinz. Less Than ZERO.

[Cha]

55. ..

[Cha]

56. ..

[giftedgirl77]

57. K&R

As a vet who is dependent on the VA.

[Cha]

58. Thank you, giftedgirl.. and

Thank you for your Service.

[ananda]

59. That's more like it.

At the same time, the VA system needs to be fixed.

[Cha]

60. Yes, it does, ananda.. thank you.

[MaeScott]

61. K and R. nt

[Cha]

62. Thank you, MaeScott!

[Jefferson23]

63. Republicans hate people, unless they're part of the 1%...no surprise here. n/t

[Cha]

64. It's not GOP anymore.. it's GRU..

Greed R U$.

[Jefferson23]

65. They have been doing this for a long time and I do hope this election Republican voters

realize they are voting for people who will just as soon see a Vet die than willingly
support more funding for their care and well being...sorry, that is how I see it.

PTSD has had devastating effects on returning soldiers..the Republicans in office
do not want to talk about that..reminds them of all their bullshit wars.

[Cha]

66. ..

[Dustlawyer]

70. We need to make them pay for their votes against the troops!

The military is very Republican, it is pounded in to them. Democrats need to campaign outside the bases with this stuff to show them the hypocrisy of their candidates! I would love to see a bunch of protestors outside the big Army and Air Force bases here in Texas showing them what Cruz and Cornyn have done to them! It is amazing that these groups stay so loyal to the party screwing them, but I think it's because we don't try hard to show them the truth.
My mailman hates Obama and when I pointed out that it was the Republicans who were killing the Post Office, he tried to explain that it was because of Democrats. I had to show him proof, then he was seriously conflicted because he was caught up in the right wing bubble. He finally started asking the right questions and really looking at his issues. He was really pissed that he had been duped. One down, 100 million to go!

[Cha]

90. Thank you, Dustlawyer.. for setting your postman straight! Good Grief! A postman hating

on Obama and liking those who are trying to Kill his job!

[Dustlawyer]

108. Almost as sad as the local unions here where I live.

Yes we still have unions in some of these refineries. What is sad us that many of them vote Republican. They just don't understand that they would not have a bass boat, weekends, overtime, employment protections, health care... without the unions. Unions have done a terrible job at motivating their membership and responding to their critics. Having said that, their critics, or should I say enemy's, are many and extremely well funded. It is a losing battle most days.
I am glad to see the Mc Donald's workers protesting the annual stockholders meeting!

[Cha]

109. It does seem so hopeless sometimes when we see all the money being poured into

to defeating workers and their rights.. along with every other Rights of the People. But, we just keep plugging away and not ever even giving up!

[gtar100]

71. What can we say. They have the majority - 41 out of 100.

That's republican math at work. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain pulling a filibuster with the greatest of ease.

[Cha]

72. ..

[Cha]

74. ..

[Cha]

75. ".. For example it called for 27 new health facilities to help a healthcare system.. "

EarlG http://sync.democraticunderground.com/1017193453

[Progressive dog]

76. K&R

[Cha]

77. Thank you, Progressive dog

[1StrongBlackMan]

79. Not to make small this issue; but, the corruption of systems ...

is common place in all organizations (public and private) where targets are demanded (be it growth, fixes, or whatever) and resources are limited.

[Cha]

89. I can imgaine, 1Strong.. it is what it is. And, I do have hope that Eric Shinseki and the President

Can fix it.

[1StrongBlackMan]

96. They can, and will ...

to the extent that a 153+ facility, 8,000,000 participant system can be "fixed."

But to think it will be solved today, tomorrow or next year ...is pure fantasy. And my OD experience tells me, that "fixed" is a mirage, and given the size of this agency and the political environment, any problem ever uncovered, ever again, will be evidence of the system being broken and the administration has failed.

[Cha]

97. Just like with Obamacare.. all the screaming that it's Broken!@@@111.. Waterloo!

Gawd, I'm glad Obama's on this!

[1StrongBlackMan]

98. Yeah ...

If anyone can marshal the forces for change, PBO can. But, again, I caution ... moving an organization this large and entrenched will take time and resources. And the gop with its vote against giving the Chief the power to fire bureaucrats, change will be even slower.

[Cha]

100. I know.. we need

8 more years! I hope the next Dem can keep moving this along and they're able to get help in Congress. Who knows maybe President Obama can get some more help in November?

[Enthusiast]

80. Kicked and recommended a whole bunch!

[Cha]

92. Thank you, Enthusiast!

[ProSense]

81. Program for veterans with traumatic brain injuries endangered because Republicans and funding

Program for veterans with traumatic brain injuries endangered because Republicans and funding

by Laura Clawson

Here's a great encapsulation of our broken government:

Hundreds of veterans with traumatic brain injuries will get kicked out of assisted living facilities this fall unless policymakers in Washington soon extend an expiring pilot program. <...>

The VA has notified Congress that a pilot program for injured veterans will expire at the end of September without congressional action.

A Senate bill that included language to extend the program stalled on the floor earlier this year because of a fight over how to pay for it. The House Veterans’ Affairs panel plans to hold a hearing on two measures to reauthorize the popular program, but time on the legislative calendar is running out.

The program costs between $100 million and $200 million, and the alternatives are more expensive in the long term and less effective for the veterans. Republicans and Democrats both want to pass it. But Republicans already filibustered a veterans' healthcare bill in February, and now this small piece is being held up by, y'know, cost concerns.

Can we just get reporters to admit that any time they're writing that something stalled "because of a fight over how to pay for it," what they're really saying is that Republicans are starving the government of revenue it needs to pay for even programs they claim to support? Because, really. Just do it! Close one corporate tax loophole and fund it for a century ... except Republicans won't do that, so we have these endless, mysterious, "fights over how to pay for" every damn thing.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/05/22/1301187/-Program-for-veterans-with-traumatic-brain-injuries-endangered-because-Republicans-and-funding

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024986699

[Cha]

93. Thank you for that, ProSEnse.. my blood is

getting properly boiled now.

[WillyT]

83. K & R !!!

[hue]

85. Repukes have NO SHAME!!

[Cha]

95. Sociopaths don't, hue. They just need to be Fired so they can get their shameless a$$es

out of our government.

And, thanks!

[FSogol]

86. K & R. n/t

[ca3799]

87. I called Cornyn and Cruz

I called Cornyn and Cruz, both offices, and asked why each Rep voted against Sander's bill called "S1982 The Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Benefits Restoration Act of 2014"- the bill that would have funded the VA clinics, etc.

Staff in both offices told me they did not know why the Senators voted against this bill but kindly offered to add me to their mailing lists. I'm already on their mailing lists so asked them to respond to my direct question. They said they would research the answer and email me.
Cornyn 512-494-8535. Cruz 202-224-5922.

[Cha]

99. Thanks for trying, ca.. I think it's because they hate America except for what their

rich Koch type donors can do for them.

[swilton]

88. Authority, Reliability, Accountability

Drilled into me at OCS - Shinsecki should go!

[Cha]

101. Sorry, I think Skineski should stay!

[alarimer]

91. Isn't it nice how Republicans LOVE veterans when it serves their political purposes.

But vote against actually funding adequately the VA and other programs that are supposed to help them.

Notice they are not crying out about all the thousands that will DIE because Republican fuckers refused to expand Medicare.

Not to mention the thousands that will die because we have a stupid health care system that won't treat people who can't afford all the co-pays and deductibles.

[Cha]

102. Exactly, alarimer! They don't give a shite about anybody but themselves and where they next

Koch $$$$ is coming from.

[Cha]

103. ..

[Cha]

104. ..

[Cha]

105. ..

[Cha]

106. ..

[Cha]

107. Eric Swarmface Cantor says..

[ChiciB1]

110. Thanks For Posting This...

I've told some people about this, "the other side" and they don't want to believe certain facts. Of course facts don't necessarily mean much to people who keep blinders on. But at least I can give it a try.

[Cha]

111. You're Welcome, ChiciB.. Thank you!

[Cha]

112. ..

[spanone]

113. wake up america....wake up

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[Cha]

114. YES, Please Wake UP America and Smell the LIES that are

Disintegrating your Lives!

mahalo spanone

[spanone]

115. mahalo Cha !

[Cha]

117. you're Welcome, spanone..

Mahalo to you~

[madville]

116. Money alone can't fix the VA

They recently admitted they failed in two separate IT system and database revamp attempts after spending over 3 Billion on the projects with no positive results.

The overall hierarchy and bureaucracy are it's undoing and that has been bred by the truckloads of rules and regulations Congress heaps on federal agencies. They have to work within those regulations and it can be paralyzing, imagine having a great idea how to do something better and it is impossible without "an act of Congress", that's literally true in many cases.

The President himself has said it in regards to the ACA, it's pretty much impossible to do anything efficiently within the federal government.

[butterfly77]

118. Kick,kick,kicked&Recommended!

[Cha]

119. mahalo butterfly~