Do you agree that Veterans Policy Is About More Than The VA?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 08:48:47 -0500

Do you agree that Veterans Policy Is About More Than The VA?

There has been a lot of negative press and things said about the VA and the continuing problems they face, but there is more to Veterans Policy than just the VA.

Here is an article that shares some of my views, but not all of them. Should the candidates be focusing on more than the VA?

You can agree or disagree or provide your own feedback RP Members

http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2015/11/11/veterans-policy-is-about-more-than-the-va/

The leading presidential candidates, on the right and the left, are missing the big picture on veterans policy.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson proposes we completely get rid of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), stating, “We don’t need a Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans Affairs should be folded in under the Department of Defense.” Donald Trump, on the other hand, has rolled out a plan to “make the VA great again.” How? By simply “firing the corrupt, incompetent VA executives who let our veterans down.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has politicized veterans health policy, claiming “the constant berating of the VA” by Republicans is part of their candidates’ “ideological agenda.”

It would behoove those seeking the White House to remember there’s more to veterans policy than the VA.

Forbes Welcome

Forbes Welcome page -- Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Nov 18 at 2015 8:51 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 08:51:26 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I completely agree that it's about more than the VA; however, the majority of action will be centered on that department. While I like Dr. Carson, I disagree on his position.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 18 at 2015 9:12 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 09:12:20 -0500

It should be a holistic approach to all veterans issues

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 18 at 2015 9:46 AM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 09:46:22 -0500

It's unfortunate that some if not many in the general public views veterans based on VA.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 18 at 2015 10:38 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 10:38:56 -0500

I suspect that Presidential candidates have larger fish to fry than veterans and their issues. We are a minority, a very small minority. We're not even a voting block, nothing some some minorities that participate in group-think. We also tend to be conservative in a world wherein progressive ideology dominates. So, no, I don't expect much...

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 18 at 2015 11:20 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 11:20:47 -0500

100%

Local governments and state governments all have a stake in this. As do myriad NGOs and non-profits...

Response by COL Ted Mc made Nov 18 at 2015 1:16 PM

COL Ted Mc — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:16:50 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs - Mikel; Of course they should. They won't because that would mean actually revealing a PLAN that contains DETAILS and you never want to do that if you are running for office.

Keep your political platform restricted to "Let us all move forward together, because together we can move forward and forward is not abandoning the past because if we abandon the past like the __[fill in the bland]__s do we can never go forward and realize our destiny of being the greatest country on Earth as we have been since 1776." and you will do just fine.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 18 at 2015 3:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 15:53:26 -0500

Much like the war, candidates and politicians are unaware of the VA problem of leadership, illegal ordering, illegal gifts, 350,000 dying waiting on appointments, cronyism, stealing, unfairly firing, over budget on construction, and generally being inefficient.

Response by SSgt Robert Dant made Nov 18 at 2015 7:59 PM

SSgt Robert Dant — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 19:59:43 -0500

It is unfortunate that even the Veterans in office see it all about the VA. The VA is the result of the true problem - "Veterans put it on the line for less than most minimum state wages" and yet for that investment - we get educated and maybe some poor health care. Someone mentioned it is because we are not a voting block - sad but true. That is what I think we should change and thing we can. Stop being the political stick and be the stick of the political engine!

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Nov 18 at 2015 10:32 PM

SSG Michael Scott — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 22:32:58 -0500

American Veterans, especially homeless ones, should and must come 1st before any refugees or illegal immigrants. Period .

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2015 11:46 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 23:46:27 -0500

Yes I definitely agree with your opinion . Let's try this idea. Get rid of the idiots who think they know what is best for our Nations Veterans and find solutions not the same rhetoric. S/F JK