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nitpicker

(7,153 posts)
Mon Jul 28, 2014, 05:28 AM Jul 2014

Deal struck on VA reform bill

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/213457-significant-progress-made-on-va-bill


Deal struck on VA reform bill
By Julian Hattem - 07/27/14 04:24 PM EDT

Leaders in the House and Senate have reached a deal on legislation to reform the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department and are poised to unveil it on Monday.

Michael Briggs, a spokesman for Sen Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), told The Hill in an email that an agreement has been reached that will “deal with both the short-term and long-term needs of the VA."

The VA bill appeared in doubt last week as Sanders and Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) — the chairmen of the two Veterans Affairs' committees — butted heads over rival proposals. But they kept talking over the weekend, and on Sunday suggested a deal was at hand.

(snip)

Sanders and Miller will appear together at a joint press conference at the Capitol on Monday afternoon, and are likely to announce a final agreement at that time.
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Deal struck on VA reform bill (Original Post) nitpicker Jul 2014 OP
$10 billion in emergency funding alone. Just a drop in the buck of the high cost of war. merrily Jul 2014 #1
$10 billion is a start. unhappycamper Jul 2014 #2
In my post, I made the point that the money is buried in the budgets of more merrily Jul 2014 #3

merrily

(45,251 posts)
1. $10 billion in emergency funding alone. Just a drop in the buck of the high cost of war.
Mon Jul 28, 2014, 05:52 AM
Jul 2014

At least when it was called the War Department, we were a bit more honest.

I don't begrudge veterans a penny (assuming the money/benefits of spending actually gets to them). However, I wonder if anyone has even tried to calculate how much, all in, we actually spend on "defense," both at home and abroad. So much is stashed away in the budgets of so many different Departments. Trying to make fewer enemies would probably be a lot cheaper.

I also wonder how much of the "solution" to the VA is going to be privatization. It's been fairly clear that is the route they are going in the short term and it is probably necessary, as are some additional firings. For one thing, I doubt Shinseki falsified any scheduling info.

unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)
2. $10 billion is a start.
Mon Jul 28, 2014, 06:31 AM
Jul 2014

The problem is we need to build/buy new stuff for new wars. The old stuff is for old wars and we need to remain strong and resolute.



Only one US President since WW II has not been in, started or kept a war going.

Wars R Us.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
3. In my post, I made the point that the money is buried in the budgets of more
Mon Jul 28, 2014, 06:36 AM
Jul 2014

than one Department. And that the true cost may never be known.

As far as remaining strong and resolute, come on now, we could do that spending a lot less than we do.

Largest air force in the world? USAF

Second largest air force in the world? USN

And we don't spend so much just to be strong. We fought Desert Storm because we told Saddam his borders were his business, then changed our minds when he claimed portions of Kuwait. We didn't invade Iraq just to be strong, either. Come on, now.

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