Posted on 01/29/2011 9:06:02 AM PST by Recovering_Democrat
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) broke unexpected ground this week, presenting a budget plan that included freezing Veterans Affairs health care spending and cutting veterans' disability benefits considerably.
To put it mildly, the Bachmann proposal has not gone over well among groups representing the needs and interests of veterans.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonmonthly.com ...
Welfare has been cut and will be again one way or another. So let us forgo cynicism and rather work to cause and manage a rational and honorable reduction of the welfare state including the benefits provided to veterans.
Our son-in-law (inactive reserve) went to the VA hospital emergency room in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago. He was having severe abdominal pains. He sat there from 2 in the afternoon until 9 that night without being seen by a doctor. The way he described what transpired while he was there was horrible - people barfing in the corners, people near death in the waiting room, etc. Our daughter finally talked him into going to regular emergency room. They couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him, but at least he got to see a doctor.
I don’t know what she was thinking on this one. I could tell the minute I first heard it that this wasn’t going to fly well.
Dude! You think you are standing on principle but in truth you are spouting crap. Do you really think there is no fraud or waste whatsoever in DOD or DVA? Do you really think that education should be cut to zero and that all educators are freeloaders and lazy SOBs who do no work and receive free money? If you are seeking to personify a stereotypical know-nothing right-wing hothead then mission accomplished. If you would like to make an intelligent contribution to a rational discussion of the present funding levels and spending priorities at the USDVA then try again.
Bravo, and thank you for your service!
Every government program is rife with fraud and waste. They must all be cut and cleaned up.
Reducing waste and fraud in the USDVA is not "taking money from our veterans".
Ignoring fraud and waste at USDVA is not serving our country or honoring our veterans.
You mispelled “poop.”
These slackers are a disgrace to true combat disabled veterans!
Did you not read my previous post? I said to not only cut education funding to 0, but also all social services as well. None of these are delegated as responsibilities to the federal government, so there should be no funding for them. Military concerns, on the other hand, are delegated to Congress, and should be funded. By definition, all military spending should take priority over social spending.
As per the 10th amendment, education is a state and local concern, and should be handled as such.
If millions of welfare recipients have to die on the streets to pay for the benefits duly earned by even one single veteran, then so be it.
Well, those are two ways to better America. You have my vote.
That is completely unacceptable.
I volunteered for 5 years in our local rural EMS unit, tryng to pay back on my part. We would on occasion transport a vet to the nearest VA hospital which is 30 minutes away. They weren't usually "emergency" transports but they were justified as they usually were WW2 vets, up in age with chronic health problems, bless 'em all.
We would arrive at the VA hosp. and the emergency room would still be dark and cold, this after radioing in advance that we were coming with a patient. Sometimes it took the "doc on duty" 30 minutes to open up, turn on the lights and heat, can you imagine what a morale buster that is?
After about the forth transport ending the same way, we started transporting our vets to the local hospital. They would ask us why them instead of the VA and when we explained they encouraged us to just bring them there and they'd worry about the paperwork and logistics later in the day when the VA staff woke up! It was great.
The regular hosp. staff was so refreshing, no "territorial" attitudes, they just wanted the old gents (the vets) to be comfortable and get them on the road back to health.
I have no doubt of that, but keep in mind that 100% of all federal spending on education, welfare benefits and other social services is fraudulent because it is not authorized by the Constitution. Once the latter is cut, we can worry about fraud when it comes to care for our veterans.
You are unwittingly aping a leftist argument. To wit: Because conservatives are savaged by leftists this proves that conservatives are "stupid" because if they were "smart" they would "know" not to say things that "cause" leftists to savage them.
Here's how I see it: Conservatives say conservative things because that is the only way to promote conservatism. Leftists respond with outrage whenever conservatives say conservative things because leftists are crazy and evil. People who blame conservatives for leftist outrage are themselves either crazy and evil leftists, or else they are stupid and are allowing themselves to be suckered by the leftists.
The USDVA is rife with waste and fraud. That is the reason to cut it.
Either/or thinking will not get the job done. Cut everything all at once!
While his "disability" may have given him challenges participating in particular events in his life, he was by no means "disabled", as he enjoyed riding motorcycles, race cars, not to mention being able to work a physically challenged job for 30+ years before retiring.
He unfortunately passed away from cancer in his 50's.
My sister shortly after his death had gone to the local veterans center regarding matters related to her continuing to receive his benefits....and was told either by the representative there, or by someone else outside of the veterans office, that there were questions(rightfully/wrongfully)regarding agent orange, other suspected ailments related to Vietnam vets(specifically areas of operation that his combat unit were in)that MAY have contributed to his health issues...and as such she was able to apply for and receive additional benefits/compensation...and continues to today.
To the extent my BIL's early departure from this earth was related to his combat experiences in Vietnam....I'll never know...nor will my sister OR the folks at the vet's office. I do however know he was a fairly heavy drinker/smoker, worked in a factory/other environments not exactly conducive to good health, all of which "may" have contributed to his early passing.
I am as patriotic as the next guy when it comes to those that have served their country, and also believe vet's deserve all the respect they not only earned, but were promised.
But putting aside the 30+ year compensation my BIL received for his "disability"....my sister was around 15-16 years old at the time of his service in Vietnam, did not know, date, or was mother to his children at that time. She also has a friend who is married to a Vietnam Vet who truly suffered war related disabilities which literally left him eating through a straw most of his life. But because of red-tape, other gov. related clusterf###'s fought constantly just to receive the care HE EARNED AND DESERVED.
Meanwhile, my sister spends her monthly check on...whatever she want's/needs.
As much as I love my sister, I don't see how she can feel comfortable every month she receives that check in the mail...as I consider it blood money...bought(or is that bled)and paid for by someone else's sacrifice.
I suppose it's up to everyone's own conscience to reconcile those type of issues.
$4.5 Billion : Cap increases in Department of Veterans Affairs health care spending, and reduce disability compensation to account for SS disability payments. Reduce Veterans’ Disability Compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments."
What's wrong with Michelle Bachmann proposing to cap spending increases and to stop double-dipping?
This thread should have been about four posts long, but for the power of self-interest.
It's not Michelle who has the tin ear.
If you thing that any amount of form of "media savvy-ness" will cause leftists not not trash conservatives then you are simply too stupid for words.
The leftists are pulling your strings and you don't even know it.
Bravo! Here’s some straight talk!
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