An Honest Man: Sec. Shinseki (Gen.-Ret.) Versus the GOP

[xocet]

Sec. Shinseki appears to be quite an honest man who deserves support. On the other hand, the GOP continually refuses to "support the troops" whom they so love to thank:

U.S. Senate Republicans block veterans' health bill on budget worry
By Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON Thu Feb 27, 2014 3:50pm EST


(Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republicans blocked legislation on Thursday that would have expanded federal healthcare and education programs for veterans, saying the $24 billion bill would bust the budget.

Even though the legislation cleared a procedural vote on Tuesday by a 99-0 vote, the measure quickly got bogged down in partisan fighting.

Supporters said the measure would have brought the most significant changes in decades to U.S. veterans' programs. For example, it called for 27 new medical facilities to help a healthcare system that is strained by veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

With Democrats pressing for passage this week, Senate Republicans, backed by their leader, Mitch McConnell, attempted to attach controversial legislation calling for possible new sanctions on Iran that President Barack Obama opposes.

...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/27/us-usa-veterans-congress-idUSBREA1Q26O20140227

Were these funding levels sufficient?

Veterans Affairs: Historical Budget Authority, FY1940-FY2012
Veterans Affairs: Historical Budget Authority, FY1940-FY2012
Congressional Research Service

Table 1. Historical Budget Authority for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in
Current and Constant (FY2011) Dollars, FY1940-FY2012 (dollars in millions)

...

2000 44,818.9 58,531.5
2001 48,665.2 61,449.3
2002 53,495.0 66,372.7
2003 59,673.1 72,445.7
2004 63,824.8 75,827.4
2005 69,436.4 80,084.3
2006 73,736.8 81,924.4
2007 82,013.8 88,823.3
2008 90,525.5 94,538.6
2009 99,447.3 102,425.9
2010 112,694.6 114,957.6
2011 124,383.5 124,383.5
2012 125,304.3 125,304.3

...

https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS22897.pdf

Speaker Boehner and Senator Mcconnell - simply saying thank you without supporting proper funding is false gratitude - no matter how floridly, frequently or profusely you intone the words 'thank you':

Speaker Boehner's Veterans Day Message from Nov. 12, 2012:

Senator Mcconnell's Veterans Day Message from Nov. 11, 2013:

Bush et al and the GOP wanted the war in Iraq - now the GOP needs to agree to pay for the consequences of its warmongering.

It is time for the GOP to consent to proper funding for the support of US veterans instead of playing political games with that funding. It is time for the GOP to stop treating veterans like throw-away rag dolls who may be summarily thanked and then discarded at the end of their service.

Sen. McConnell and Speaker Boehner, either you truly support the troops or you do not. Which is it?

[KauaiK]

1. Sec. Shinseki is from Kauai...

I do not for minute second believe that he knew about the deliberate delays at the VA.

I DO know he was working diligently to build housing for Iraq and Afghan vets who are a horrendous time readjusting to civilian socialization. Because Hawaii's climate is temperate, the vets camp up in the uninhabited areas of the mountains & valleys with other Iraq and Afghan vets. These areas are not easily accessible so they are not bothered there.

I attended seminars with reps from Sec. Shinseki's office asking local agencies for assistance to encourage these homeless vets into proper housing (together) and treatment.

Congress absolutely needs to step to the plate and truly support these troops as much as they support Wall St.