How does our government's obligation to Veterans compare to our government's capability to meet that obligation?

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 10:30:49 -0400

We speak a lot about the Department of Veterans Affairs, and its failures (Health & Pension).

I pose this question.

"Does the US Government actually possess the capability to take care of Veterans 'As promised,' or are we setting them (us) up for failure?"

If we are setting 'us' up for failure, because it is an unreasonable expectation, do we need to adjust our expectations?

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 22 at 2015 12:56 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:56:04 -0400

I would say Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS that they shouldn't promise what they cannot deliver. If it is a system issue, fix the system. If the system cannot be fixed, rebuild it from the ground up. If the means to fullfill the promise don't exist, don't make the promise.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2015 2:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 14:07:08 -0400

Wow! This is a really great question!

I think one of the biggest problems with the system is that a large majority of the VA leaderships has never served. They don’t know what it’s like to be a SM or a Veteran. And they will never know what it’s like to use the VA for their CARE or have to rely on them for benefits. They may be making progress but for me... any veteran who commits suicide is one to many... it’s NOT a reason to celebrate over saving one... I want to save them all. I don’t want to remove 500 vets from the streets, I want them all to have shelter and a bed. They jump for joy over the backlog being down to 150,000, but to me, that 150,000 vets that are still waiting, and probably struggling for a little extra to help their family every month. So for me progress isn't enough. I want success. I want MORE. And I think we are setting us up for failure in that sense. because in every data released it about the improved numbers... not about the ones still behind.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 22 at 2015 3:09 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 15:09:32 -0400

It takes initiative for the VA to find veterans who are homeless, need medical care, and the veterans who feel betrayed and are broken, refusing to be found.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 9 at 2019 9:35 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 09 May 2019 09:35:29 -0400

Va or social security. Plan is for them to cut my social security. I make to much money from the us government.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 9 at 2019 9:36 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Thu, 09 May 2019 09:36:56 -0400

Make high wage earners pay more tax. Trump will not do it

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made May 19 at 2019 11:46 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Sun, 19 May 2019 11:46:13 -0400

Based on my interviews w/ vets back to Korea, they are more satisfied w/ the medical care they receive; but not behavioral health. So in my clinical opinion, we are falling way short w/ combat vets. Mostly we over medicate them, and do not engage them in long-term individual and group psychotherapy. Group counseling is quite potent as it recapitulates the primary psychosocial unit; the squad.
Rich

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 19 at 2019 12:08 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Sun, 19 May 2019 12:08:17 -0400

The us government is s bad as Ortega. Hussain. Trump is s liar. Pence is worse. Behind the scenes pence is hoping trump gets kicked out.

Response by SGT John Mcgough made Jun 25 at 2019 12:42 PM

SGT John Mcgough — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 12:42:39 -0400

If they can’t, don’t say they can. Let a person decide using real facts.

Response by SSG Ken Steinhoff made Jul 3 at 2019 3:04 AM

SSG Ken Steinhoff — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 03:04:38 -0400

If they can not take care of us that gave them there freedom
Then why????
Are the democrats want to give free healthcare to illegal aliens ????

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Jul 16 at 2020 10:30 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 22:30:06 -0400

It ultimately comes down to money. There are roughly 20,000,000 Veterans with varying degrees of need and worthiness. Not every Veteran needs or deserves a 100 percent disability rating or lifetime health care. At some point the government has to decide how much it is going to spend on Veterans and who will get how much.