Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

madfloridian

(88,117 posts)
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 01:53 PM Jun 2014

VA Veterans say Shinseki not the problem. Angry "at the regional level of VA operations"

From a Daily Kos post about events in Florida following Shinseki's "resignation".

VA vets say Shinseki not the problem. Chaos reports pouring in.

Well I woke up to a mess. Calls pouring in from veterans on how this firing of Shinseki is not going to help. They are angry at the regional level of VA operations and privatizing is NOT the answer. Oversight from congressional leaders and those oh so concerned I support the troop republicans who were notified years ago are the problem.. One of many.

The no bid contracts and no contracts in Gainesville has proven chaotic !!! Who do we see about that ?????? Not Shinseki. These regional managers at local areas have lied, farmed out and covered up their shenanigans for bonuses. How was one man to know all of this. Hundreds of thousands of vets returning and local VA's IMO said, " Let's look like we have funding for staff and treatment and no one will know". Threats to whistle blowers were made !!!! At Regional levels. Congress....Listen up... The general gave orders and expected them to be carried out.. They weren't and the private hospitals they were sent to were worse than VA healthcare by a long shot.

We the people who truly care for our veterans need to demand accountability from those who are finger pointing to privatize. It is just another way to make the ACA look bad and being politicized while veterans are paying the price for their politics.


She talks about problems at the North Florida South Georgia facility for veterans. Apparently partially privatized. My own question....why does only one facility serve north Florida and south Georgia? That's unbelievable.

This NFSG VA Medical Center has the largest intake of veterans in the country.
They by Shinseki were put under investigation. Then suddenly all the calls for resingation begin...

I could make my own thoughts on that timing !!!!! 3 were suspended in management at that facility. This facility has huge problems and been known to privatize many things which make things much worse. Give the VA ..VA healthcare...properly funded and staffed, forget the private nonsense, I have seen how that works, and congressman and women, take responsibility for wars created and lack of oversight on your own watch !!!
The scapegoat has fallen on his sword, the problems continue and you want to make it worse.






6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
VA Veterans say Shinseki not the problem. Angry "at the regional level of VA operations" (Original Post) madfloridian Jun 2014 OP
Be sure to read some of the comments at DKos. madfloridian Jun 2014 #1
.... madfloridian Jun 2014 #2
So after Shinseki's push to investigate privatization, there was a push to investigate Shinseki Mc Mike Jun 2014 #3
You are right. madfloridian Jun 2014 #5
Privatization is never about savings and more efficient delivery of services. Mc Mike Jun 2014 #6
K&R Katashi_itto Jun 2014 #4

madfloridian

(88,117 posts)
1. Be sure to read some of the comments at DKos.
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 02:33 PM
Jun 2014

They are heartbreaking. Vetwife is a volunteer, and her OP was in the Veteran's forum...getting a very emotional response.

Mc Mike

(9,107 posts)
3. So after Shinseki's push to investigate privatization, there was a push to investigate Shinseki
Sun Jun 8, 2014, 08:33 AM
Jun 2014

for terrible conditions at the VA. Terrible conditions caused by privatization.



It reminds me of a high profile VA failure during l'il bush's Admin. --

From Democracy Now 3/6/07: Privatization of Services at Walter Reed Criticized

"Meanwhile Vermont Congressman Peter Welch said a major factor in the conditions at Walter Reed might be the result of the privatization of services. Welch cited a five-year $120 million contract given to a company called IAP Worldwide Services, which is operated by a former Halliburton executive. The Corporate Research Project is reporting IAP has close ties to the Republican Party. Ownership of the company is controlled by the giant hedge fund Cerberus, whose chair is former Bush Administration Treasury Secretary John Snow. The IAP board of directors includes former Vice President Dan Quayle and retired Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee."

madfloridian

(88,117 posts)
5. You are right.
Sun Jun 8, 2014, 12:35 PM
Jun 2014

It reminds me of Florida's Division of Children and Family and their awful problems. They became partly privatized, partly not, and very unsupervised for years...and children died because of it.

Mc Mike

(9,107 posts)
6. Privatization is never about savings and more efficient delivery of services.
Sun Jun 8, 2014, 03:08 PM
Jun 2014

It's always about stealing the public's money, to give to a few well-connected individuals.

And cons are ideologically opposed to any thing good the gov can do for Americans. If some kids or vets suffer, that's acceptable collateral damage to them.

Thanks for posting the info on Shinseki's attempt to bring some oversight to privatizers' crooked practices. First I've heard of it, despite all the media 'coverage' of the issues.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»VA Veterans say Shinseki ...