This is such a tragedy! (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17160574/from/ET/) This is not my idea of supporting our troops! It is a national disgrace!

That's what you get from an administration that never served. An administration that brags about 5-deferments over boots on the ground, an administration of AWOL's and an administration who's talking heads were deferred because of anal cysts.

What has happened to the VA and the returning troops (and the troops from previous wars) is a complete disgrace. Epecially given the U.S. taxpayer is footing the bill for a health care system in Iraq that is superior to one we have here.

You can bet your bottom dollor that if Halliburton was in on the take, the VA would be a fully-funded organization that ran smoothe as silk.

We should be ashamed of ourselves and our country.

For once, you and I agree. The treatment wounded soldiers get is not adequate, and the veterans hospital system is a mess for those who have left the service, but still need medical help. It is something that must be fixed, and that will require funding to fix. That funding is going to have to go on for a long time, even after the war is over. It is something Congress needs to be reminded of repeatedly.

and they did their usual great job considering being under-staffed, worn-out and the punching bags for everyone.

My hat's off to the VA workers and the organization in general. It's too bad more people aren't aware of the difficulties they face and petition congress to do something.

Hey, let's turn over the entire health care system to the government!

I think they should move them down the road to the White House.

Hey, let's turn over the entire health care system to the government!
the VA is doing ok, it's the DoD that's FUBAR.

the VA is doing ok, it's the DoD that's FUBAR.

The VA will be who these troops look to for their long-term health care ... possibly for the rest of their lives and the VA is being more and more strapped every year thanks to the funding cuts by this republican administration.

That is the Republican strategy, undercut every social program they can by attacking it's funding and appointing incompetents in every post, then complain incessantly about how those programs don't work and need to be sold off to corporations (privatization).

That is the Republican strategy, undercut every social program they can by attacking it's funding and appointing incompetents in every post, then complain incessantly about how those programs don't work and need to be sold off to corporations (privatization).
the Post Office is doing pretty good.

but really, if every budget cut in the last 20 years was really a cut, there would be no budget to speak of. now a reduction in budget increases is a whole other matter. but that's neither here nor there, the real issue is the VA funding enough to support it's mission?

The VA budget has been cut several times by the Bush administration to the tunes of 18% and most recently 16% at the same time bringing more people into the system for delivery of services.

the republicans do not support the troops -- end of f'n story

The VA budget has been cut several times by the Bush administration to the tunes of 18% and most recently 16% at the same time bringing more people into the system for delivery of services.

the republicans do not support the troops -- end of f'n story
is it a real cut, or a cut in in an increase?
http://democrats.senate.gov/dpc/dpc-new.cfm?doc_name=fs-109-1-11
#Inadequate funding for health care. Under the President's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget, budget authority for veterans' medical services will increase by only $522 million. This request fails to keep up with the pace of inflation and payroll increases, which are expected to total $1.12 billion, meaning that the Department effectively receives a cut. The request also falls nearly $3.5 billion short of the needs identified by the Independent Budget assembled by leading nonpartisan veterans organizations.

not that i think that the VA ever has enough money, but the way you left wing loonies play with numbers, it makes me think you have an agenda.

is it a real cut, or a cut in in an increase?

Your personal cost of living goes up every year and your employer compensates with a cost-of-living raise. If that raise doesn't come through or it comes in less than you needed (or not at all) then you feel it.

Why would it be any different for the VA?


not that i think that the VA ever has enough money, but the way you left wing loonies play with numbers, it makes me think you have an agenda.

The people affected by the cuts are not left wing loonies. They're called veterans and they come in all political stripes ... you may have heard about some of their accomplishments and dedications ... 2 gulf wars, Somolia, Viet Nam, Korea, WW2 ... little things like that.

The people affected by the cuts are not left wing loonies. They're called veterans and they come in all political stripes ... you may have heard about some of their accomplishments and dedications ... 2 gulf wars, Somolia, Viet Nam, Korea, WW2 ... little things like that.
if you'll go back and read what i wrote without masterbating to those pix you downloaded of Hillary, you clearly noticed that i called you a leftwing looney that can't do basic math. how is a $522 million budget increase a cut?

McCain voted against funding for WR ...

http://www.democrats.org/a/2007/02/john_mccain_vot.php

Might as well as pack your bags for Sedona instead of the White House Johnny.