05.15.08
We desperately need Democrats in charge
Look at what the VA is doing (from ThinkProgress):
VoteVets.org and CREW released an e-mail today that reveals “a Veterans Affairs (VA) employee directing VA staff to refrain from diagnosing soldiers and veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).” The e-mail, dated May 1, 2008, complains about “compensation seeking veterans” and urges VA staff to rule out PTSD and “consider a diagnosis of ‘Adjustment Disorder’” instead:
Last month, RAND released a study showing that nearly 20% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan — nearly 300,000 in all — “report symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder or major depression, yet only slightly more than half have sought treatment.”
Zach said,
15 May 2008 at 2:27 pm
Forgive my ignorance Michael; how exactly is this story related to party affiliation? Is it that Dems would get us out of Afghanistan, and that would mean less vets, or that unnamed despotic VA employees are likely appointed by the Bush administration, or is this about universal health care?
LeisureGuy said,
15 May 2008 at 3:11 pm
The VA is under control of the Bush Administration and, true to its pattern, it has placed incompetents in charge and also (to keep that tax cuts coming) not funded the VA for the expected load it would have to bear as a result of the on-going wars.
I didn’t consider the universal healthcare aspect, and in a way it’s not relevant, since we already owe appropriate healthcare to our vets.
For a look at the VA’s record under Bush, scan these stories.
So far as this Democrat is concerned, I think a strong shift in emphasis (and personnel and matériel) from Iraq to Afghanistan is called for. Indeed, we should have continued to focus on Afghanistan and never invaded Iraq in the first place. But the need for a better VA is already acute, with thousands of vets ill-served by the current administration (which also doesn’t want to update the GI Bill).
Zach said,
15 May 2008 at 3:43 pm
Thanks Michael.
From my meager understanding, based on the few vets that I call friend, their feelings are (let’s say vs. The Clinton White House) “meet the new boss, same as the old boss”
I think asinine government management crosses party lines; just a humble opinion.
LeisureGuy said,
15 May 2008 at 3:49 pm
I understand, and certainly the Clinton Administration wasn’t free of incompetent appointments, though I think many fewer. FEMA, for example. And the VA was hobbled by refusal to pony up the money needed to run it. And Walter Reed wasn’t the terrible thing it became under Bush. If you look over the stories at the link, I think you’ll find the VA changed, with changes documented.
LeisureGuy said,
15 May 2008 at 4:13 pm
Also ponder this previous post.