Veterans Groups Preparing For Budget Fight.

[allan]

<LI>Veterans Groups Preparing For Budget Fight. San Diego Union-Tribune

“After 10 years of war and expanded benefits for those who fought, veterans groups now are girding to battle against takeaways, as Congress considers sweeping budget cuts over the next four months.” The Union-Tribune adds, “The $130 billion VA budget will probably top the list of programs facing cuts, according to veterans advocates. With a pen stroke, Congress could nip here and dice there – without appearing to do much – and end up costing veterans who use the VA, said” Tim Tetz, the American Legion’s legislative director.

SOURCE: http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/08/31/top-10-veterans-stories-39/

[Pete53]

Lets see what happens and is proposed. I would like to see some changes in the way VA does its business and cut back if necessary on VA boondoggles and concentrate resources on Veterans. It has been my experience for last 20 years that Americans are very generous to its Veterans it is Congress and VA we have to worry about.

[john999]

The VSO's could gain my respect if they successfully battle against budget cuts and for some reforms in VA benefit and health care delivery. Since I can remember the VA has been the dumping grounds for hacks who have I.O.U.'s from successful congressmen, senators and presidents. I can think of so many obvious ways the VA could improve health care delivery. I know the VSO's want to protect the status quo, and maybe that is not too bad a thing. I don't want cuts, but the VA could sure spend the money smarter. Decentralizing the health care system would be good if the VA would pay medicare rates or pay medicare co-pays. The devil is always in the details. I do agree that as soon as these present wars are behind us the congress will start trying to cut the VA's budget.

[justrluk]

If the VA is going through any of the drills we are, they're offering up "efficiencies" in order to prove their processes either need help or are getting better. They're trying to avoid reductions of those positions and processes seen as redundant in order to increase throughput. Seriously, if they don't get their act together, they'll face the same takes as we are: any redundant programs and over-hires will be offered as off-sets to budget reductions - period... That said, I don't think they could withstand the political fire-storm that reductions would create. JMHO....

[john999]

My local newspaper, the St. Pete Times, just had an editorial saying that vet benefits should be on the table for budget review (cuts). They were critical of Obama's speech saying vet benefits were off the table. The paper used the fact that some big shots at the VA got bonuses to then justify cuts to vet programs. They said we are used to sacrifices so we should be up for more sacrifice. How much have Wall Street banksters sacrificed?

[retiredat44]

They first rip-off (that I am aware of) was the first real GI-Bill, going back a long time was taken away and they gave us later veterans a really crappy one... that was total B.S. Then, they made getting disability much harder,,, they contually hack away at the benefits.

they made several classes of veterans, which is totally wrong, all veterans are veterans.. we do not pick the wars, just fight them..

[john999]

We should all call and write our congressmen to let them know cuts to vet benefits will cost them our votes. This is all they understand (the other thing is cash).