The guiding principle I have observed at various agencies by personnel at all levels is: ‘What can we get away with today?’
Recruitment, hiring (especially for internally-posted positions), ratings, reviews, promotions, etc. are rarely if ever based on knowledge or merit and are, of course, political in the casual and formal senses of the word.
As so-called stewards of public funds, they are beyond irresponsible. Massive surpluses of everything - vehicles, computers, supplies - are commonplace in order to meet or exceed budget thresholds and ensure future funding. Some of the same funds are also used for what can only be described as recreation - cookouts, volleyball games, etc.
So-called business travel to conferences, meetings, etc. is routine and routinely wasteful - conference calls, video conferences and good old e-mails would suffice.
Like a criminal syndicate, there is massive pressure on each and every individual to participate, to approve. By becoming soiled that individual is no longer a threat to reveal wrongdoing. The security clearance system is a joke, with Edward Snowden merely the tip of the iceberg. Such clearances are another portion of the code of Omerta, since few will risk their clearance and thus their livelihood by becoming a whistleblower.
Public employee unions have a lot to do with the criminal activity. I worked with one in CA and I was shocked to see how they operate. They detest taxpayers and businesses.
These crimes are being committed at multiple VAs using the same precise methods. This is not a coincidence. This means there is coordination from above and is not a local phenomenon.
I think I know why General Kinsheiki has not been fired. I think this comes from the top! This administration has and continues to put out fraudulent numbers concerning Obama Care until recently. Now they are refusing to put out any numbers. This administrations lies to us with regularity. I believe Kinsheiki is up to his neck in this scandal. That means he was ordered to do this. His boss is Obama.