"they never fathom the power-mad, angry, ill-trained, under experienced, job entitled and often, downright cruel bureaucrats who screen eligibility in all government programs.
Goodness help the person who answers a question wrong on a form, because they'll get bounced out of the system on their sick tails, without so much as a howdy do by these people."
Actually, it's WORSE than that.
There are parties in administrative review positions in the VA who get BONUSES for denying claims....sort of a "quota" system, if you will...this is madness, bordering on the criminal.
I know quite directly of the autocrats to whom you refer....and, I've BEATEN them [somewhat] at their own game. Unfortunately, you have to be RUTHLESS and UNRELENTING to get there in most cases.
The saddest part of this whole mess is the grief I've had to take from other veterans in the process. This is about acquiring life-saving health care and improving the quality of life for veterans....NOT about some personal crusade or "favor".
Had I done NOTHING, I would LITERALLY be dead now...and others as well. Can I personally attribute any advances to my own credit...??? I don't know, furthermore I don't CARE.
It's just that I'm CERTAIN of what happens and who "wins" when we do NOTHING. People have to get over the social labeling and work TOGETHER if this is ever going to improve.
Unfortunately, it's near impossible to get ANYONE to act on these matters...it just stings more when they call themselves "conservative" or "patriotic" and then do NOTHING.