If FIFA can suspend top leadership, why hasn't the VA?

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 11:59:22 -0400

I'm sure all the soccer fans have heard the news about the suspensions handed down to 4 of the top level leaders of FIFA. As I read this article, the thought went through my head of why haven't we seen actions like this taken within the VA? With the reports growing and more and more Veterans entering the system, would it take some sort of action like this to help turn the ship around for the VA?

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Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 12:03 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:03:59 -0400

? what is soccer?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 8 at 2015 12:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:15:31 -0400

FIFA is an international organization which is not really answerable to anybody or any nation because the number of people who are zealous about football (soccer in this country) outnumbers any nation including China SGT Ben Keen.
In our nation you need a majority of 450+ different legislators to focus on something like reigning in the Federal bureaucracy and developing rules for removing "senior civil servants" [oxymoron in many cases since they serve their own interests more than the people of the USA]. If those legislators develop legislation then you need a POTUS to concur and sign the bill and wait for it to take affect, pass Federal Court review, etc.
Impeachment is rarely used but it may make sense in some cases. Next best thing is relief for cause or whatever the civil agency term is for that military action.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 8 at 2015 12:25 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:25:08 -0400

Civil service protections...

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 8 at 2015 12:30 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:30:01 -0400

We can't. If you do suspend them, now you have their lawyers and the union to contend with. And as was seen in the Phoenix case, they'll take you to court, win and you're going to end up paying them any back monies due. We just need a more effective means of official termination for cause that union reps cannot deny, and allows the government to remove non-performers. I think we should try this out on Capitol Hill, see where the dust settles as a "experiment" then see how we could use the data gathered there to implement change in VA.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 8 at 2015 12:35 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:35:23 -0400

Let me approach this from an economic perspective: FIFA functions in a capitalist market economy. It's continued growth (profitability) is directly impacted by the decisions of its leadership. To this, FIFA needs to present a model of accountability and integrity to both its sponsorship, members, and fans. Conversely, the VA functions on a socialist economy model. Their funding is controlled by politicians and political appointees. These folks are more interested in their own jobs vice the services they provide. Thus, to hold the VA leadership accountable is a direct threat to their own preservation. Just my cynical $0.02.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 8 at 2015 12:43 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:43:51 -0400

Different organization, different rules. False parallel.

The United States Federal Civil Service has A LOT of protections built in to prevent Civil Servants and the Civil Servant system (aka the Government) from being "unduly" burdened every time we have a change in political figures (elected officials). That's based on historical precedent. In other words, past performance has shown we can't trust our Elected Officials not to fire the actual government based on "whim" therefore we have the current ineffective system we have now.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Oct 8 at 2015 12:47 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 12:47:32 -0400

Much different laws.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 1:37 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 13:37:47 -0400

Well, to start with, it's an apples and Pontiac comparison. The federal government has several layers of review and investigation built into its various operations. Take, for example, EVERY federal law enforcement agency. They each have an OPR, Office of Professional Review, just like a police department's Internal Affairs. Except that each works at a pace, BY DESIGN and STATUTE, that would make a snail look fast. Trust me, I know. I worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration. Agents involved in questionable shootings have, in some cases, been on Administrative Leave for several years after the incident. They live a normal life, receive full pay and bennies, but don't work. Like I said, EVERY federal law enforcement agency. This all came about because of federal statutes written decades ago that have not received review nor rewrite in the same period. There are an incredible a mount of such regs on the books that ALL add up to the term, bureaucratic red tape. You have no idea!!!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 3:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 15:15:36 -0400

In this world, SportsLivesMatter.....VetsLivesDontMatter.......I think I forgot the hashtags

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 4:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:03:43 -0400

They did, Shinseki is gone!

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Oct 8 at 2015 4:44 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 16:44:28 -0400

Lack of cojones.