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Monday, May 30, 2016

CAN MONEY ALONE SAVE THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION ?

A recent Wall Street Journal article was headlined " Money Can't Cure What Ails Veteran Affairs " and it is sadly true. According to the article the VA employee roster of 365,000 employees and new budget request of 180 billion isn't providing timely and efficient medical services for our veterans.

In his article, Mr. Anthony Principi, former secretary of Veterans Affairs, cites the incredible growth in staffing and budget outlays for the Veterans Administration over the last few years. Since 2004 he reports a 55% increase in VA staffing, and since 2009 an 86% increase in funding. These numbers are alarming considering the continued mission failures and scandals within the organization. Despite the natural inclination of many politicians and federal bureaucrats, it is apparent that more money and staffing does not necessarily improve things managed by the government.

Mr. Principi lists four initiatives that he feels will improve the Veterans Administration and there may be some merit in his recommendations. However, I find it curious that after his four year stint as the leader of the VA he becomes the "man with a plan" to fix the organization he once headed. Why didn't he implement these reforms while he was the VA secretary ? Mr. Principi is now with a cushy "government relations" firm and magically becomes the expert on VA reform ? While I'm sure Mr. Principi is a person of good intentions, his declarations bear the hollow sound we hear from so many ex government big wigs turned experts.

The VA is an organization with a noble mission populated by thousands of dedicated people, but something remains fundamentally wrong. I believe the problem is one of leadership and too much government. Everything in Washington DC is political and the Veterans Administration is above all a political bureaucracy. It is not an efficient organization in the business of delivering health care services. In my opinion, the best and most innovative health care in the United States has always been and will remain profit motivated organizations.

For too long political leaders have duped Americans into believing that the simple commodities of money and manpower lead by some political appointee could fix any problem. The combination of resources without the special  leadership inspired by the profit motive consistently fail to deliver desired goals. The legendary icons of successful invention and innovation are rarely borne from the self serving bureaucrats that occupy so much power in the federal government.

Despite unlimited resources has the federal government reduced or eliminated poverty ? How does our government subsidized AMTRAK compare with the trains of Japan or Europe ? Is the Obama inspired national health care scheme better than the traditional system we have been forced to abandon ? Why are our federally mandated systems of public education producing test scores well below world standards ?

In my opinion, the bottom line to what ails the VA is the same disease that frustrates the progress of our nation and it's citizens. Simply stated, we have too much federal government and politicians that proclaim more government to solve the problems of too much government !  The capitalist for profit sector or at least local government could easily do a better job. Washington DC legislative gridlock, mind boggling legions of government bureaucrats, and the incredible maze of federal laws must be curtailed if the VA or USA is to survive.

I am a disabled veteran and the son of a dearly departed 100% disabled veteran. I have seen the VA degenerate over the years because of politicians and federal employees more interested in their reelection or job advancement than veterans. In my opinion, the solution to reforming the VA and so many functions of our government is less government and more private sector involvement. Capitalism and personal liberty made America great and a resurgence and renewed reliance in this dynamic duo will cure "what ails" the Veterans Administration.



                

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