Posted on Sep 20, 2015
VA Secretary Asks Iraq War Veteran: 'What Have You Done?'
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VA Secretary Asks Iraq War Veteran: 'What Have You Done?'
VA Secretary Asks Iraq War Veteran: 'What Have You Done?'
RP Members, if you were asked this question what would your response be?
Was the VA Sec out of line?
Is this the right person to head our VA Organization?
VA Secretary Asks Iraq War Veteran: 'What Have You Done?'
RP Members, if you were asked this question what would your response be?
Was the VA Sec out of line?
Is this the right person to head our VA Organization?
VA Secretary Asks Iraq War Veteran: 'What Have You Done?'
Posted from huffingtonpost.com
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
What Would You Do
Congress
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 38
12
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0
Context. It's all about context.
If a lawmaker is going to go on the offense, then he should expect counter-attacks.
I've got no love for the Dept of the VA, but I do "try" to be fair about it. I'll call them out happily on incompetence that is their fault, but on things outside their control, I'll go to bat for them.
In this case however, Congress is the Oversight and Accountability for the Dept of Veterans Affairs and Rep Mike Coffman has been serving in the House for 8 years. Let's put that in perspective. Sec McDonald has been there 1 year, and Rep Coffman has been there for 8 times that length, and is the current CHAIRMAN.
He is directly responsible (Oversight & Accountability) for this current mess, and is now pushing that back down on a subordinate. That's absolute BS, and when he got called out on it by a fellow Vet (both him and McDonald are vets, let's not forget that), he got snippy.
His time as a Vet was absolutely honorable. I have zero doubt about that. However, those 8 years as a Congressman and serving within the committee supposedly taking care of yets since 2008.... WTF was he doing since then?
If a lawmaker is going to go on the offense, then he should expect counter-attacks.
I've got no love for the Dept of the VA, but I do "try" to be fair about it. I'll call them out happily on incompetence that is their fault, but on things outside their control, I'll go to bat for them.
In this case however, Congress is the Oversight and Accountability for the Dept of Veterans Affairs and Rep Mike Coffman has been serving in the House for 8 years. Let's put that in perspective. Sec McDonald has been there 1 year, and Rep Coffman has been there for 8 times that length, and is the current CHAIRMAN.
He is directly responsible (Oversight & Accountability) for this current mess, and is now pushing that back down on a subordinate. That's absolute BS, and when he got called out on it by a fellow Vet (both him and McDonald are vets, let's not forget that), he got snippy.
His time as a Vet was absolutely honorable. I have zero doubt about that. However, those 8 years as a Congressman and serving within the committee supposedly taking care of yets since 2008.... WTF was he doing since then?
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LTC Christopher Sands
I called my Congressman to complain about the VA. The aide said they do not listen to us.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
LTC Christopher Sands I did the same about 8 months ago. Explained the situation, and I could just hear the frustration in her voice as she asked specific questions.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs I feel the question is absurd, anybody that has been to either place, I thank them. I would say, "Duty Honor Country" is what I have told to the VA Secretary. I served my country with the utmost dignity!
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CDR Mike Kovack
It's a red herring. The comment is taken totally out of context. Someone provided the transcript below. Rather than reflecting badly on the secretary, it reflects badly on the do-nothing congressman......sadly........
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TSgt Bill Andrews
It would sure be hard for me to hold my temper down, if I didn't get a pre-warning first.
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So this might draw some heat, but I don't few the Secretary's question in the same light as others. I don't think when he asked the law makers what did they do that he was questioning their military record or questioning anything prior to their placement on the hill. Rather, I think he was asking a great question. Asking them what have they done SINCE they were placed in those seats. As Veterans and lawmakers, they should have our backs right? What have they done to help the other lawmakers to see what things are so critical for Veterans? What have they done with their knowledge of both sides of the coin to help move things towards a good and meaningful solution?
Now, this doesn't excuse McDonald from anything either. Let's face it, the VA is a mess. The last thing that anyone needs to do is point fingers and say "Well you haven't done enough". Rather they need to stand together and say "We haven't done enough."
Now, this doesn't excuse McDonald from anything either. Let's face it, the VA is a mess. The last thing that anyone needs to do is point fingers and say "Well you haven't done enough". Rather they need to stand together and say "We haven't done enough."
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SGT Ben Keen No heat brother. it can be interrupted several ways. If you read the whole article I believe his question was pertaining to running a business. The VA Sec could have asked it in a different context, instead of in a "heated" moment. It seems he is having a little trouble reporting to members of Congress (nervous or uneasy). I don't know if bring a corporate mogul into the mix of a veteran ran organization is the right fix, but we have had military members as well that haven't been able to fix it either. I think it needs a separate commission or team of leaders and oversight by the military medical system or Tricare - something different! We are still working on something to present to a Congressman. You are still welcome to provide some input. Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS is still heading up the team.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/white-paper-crowd-sourcing-a-solution-to-the-dept-of-vet-affairs
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/white-paper-crowd-sourcing-a-solution-to-the-dept-of-vet-affairs
White Paper: Crowd-sourcing a Solution to the Dept of Vet Affairs | RallyPoint
All Con. Based on recent running discussions, it is beyond obvious that there is an issue with the Department of Veterans Affairs. At the urging of [~138758:COL Mikel Burroughs] a few members of the RP Community are developing a "White Paper" with a proposal on how to "Fix" this issue. The major advantage of the RP community is not only its size, but it's breadth of Knowledge, Experience, but also the fact that we care about this issue. We...
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SGT Ben Keen If you look at the transcript that SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. provided that was my takeaway as well. I provided a different assessment as well, in that Rep Coffman is the Chair of the oversight committee and has been in Congress for nearly 8 years. The "what have you done" question is completely reasonable in that light.
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