War On The Va Challenge

[Speaking Out]

I pledge to track Indiana politicians on their actions for Veterans. I am challenging others on this board to pledge to do the same for their state. Any thoughts? We can keep each other aware of what the politicians are doing and what they are not doing and publish telephone numbers when an important issue is coming up and send a message to these people that WE will not be ignored anymore,nor will we be split by our conflicts we served in, and that the voting Veteran block will stand united to elect officials that are committed to keeping the promises made to Veterans. We are all a family and WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.

[Speaking Out]

I signed off and my phone rang and I now have an appointment to sit down with Tom Sugar, Chief of Staff, for Senator Evan Bayh. It is next Wednesday. I'd like to go with a list of great ideas and ask him to get together with Senator Lugar from across the aisle and co-sponsor some bills for Veterans. Give me those ideas!!!

[Pete53]

I think that the first reform that should be made at VA is that after 6 Months of claim being filed that VA would pay 100% Benefit until a final decision is made and if the decision is less than 100% the Veteran should not have to pay back. Most Veterans sacrificed a lot to serve our country and that is not to much to ask.

[Speaking Out]

Keep them coming, tell a friend.

[Berta]

"people here who know which regs need changed, done away with, and enforced. I'm looking for those types of suggestions"

I have something Congressman Filner is considering -hopefully in the works-it would be nice if any Senators from your state would support it too----

I wont be talking to Congressman Filner until maybe 2 weeks from now-to get a status-

I have asked him to propose an amendment I wrote to the VCAA-he has quite a bit he wants to do regarding numerous veterans issues -and this would involve the backlog situation. He has a great track record for vets- in my opinion-

If he proposes the amendment I sure will be contacting Congressmen and women from each state to support it-

Amendments are the only ways most VA regs can be changed.

I also am gearing up for something I fear-

if the Haas decision is favorable from the Fed court (we should know within a month or two hopefully)-

there is a chance that the proposed regs could limit Naval Blue Waters to presumptive AO -only to the 12 mile off shore limit or to a new VA definition of "territorial waters of the Republic of Vietnam"---

I am a little paranoid about this- if Haas succeeds this might not even be a factor but some Blue Water Navy scuttlebutt is considering this potential and I sure advise Blue Waters to get all the log info possible if they were 7th fleet and off coast of Vietnam during the war-

just in case they have to prove what part of Blue Water they were in-

of course that doesnt make sense- but the Judge did mention the 12 mile limit in the Nov 7th hearings on Haas.

Yet a persistent organic pollutant like Agent Orange (dioxin)did not limit itself to contamination just of the 12 mile limit-

This is something that I hope our Senators and Congressman do not attempt to manipulate if Haas becomes law-

then again we dont even know if we will have any regs at all as proposed-and of course anyone can comment on them at the Federal Regulation web site-

Senator Clinton and Schumer as well as my district Congressman fully support mandatory funding-

it is the Senators and Congressmen and women out there who don't- who really need to hear from their constituents on this and get off the pot and support it-

[SSGMike.Ivy]

thats why being part of one party is ole hat, everyone needs to be an independant thinker, which allows you to vote anyway you choose.

[Ron II]

I think that the first reform that should be made at VA is that after 6 Months of claim being filed that VA would pay 100% Benefit until a final decision is made and if the decision is less than 100% the Veteran should not have to pay back. Most Veterans sacrificed a lot to serve our country and that is not to much to ask.

Your idea is perfect as the first reform. Let's give the veteran the benefit of doubt instead of the government.