Secretary Robert McDonald´s comparison of the deadly wait for medical care at Veteran Affairs´ s facilities to lines at Disneyland understandably caused outrage and prompted calls for his resignation.
Hopefully, the contemptible metaphor will bring public attention to acts which speak louder than words.
Taking the mickey
Thousands of soldiers were "thanked" for their service with homelessness, lack of medical care and condemned for existence in torture and misery. While America´s defenders were dying on the streets or in wait-for-care lines, the VA has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars on "projects" which despite a variety of names invariably end up with money and results disappearing into thin air.
The VA does take Veterans for a ride on the front row of Outer-space Mountain while blowing billions on "green energy", playing Obama´s favorites and repeating discriminatory mantra "VA takes pride in serving LGBT Veterans. LGBT Veterans face increased health risks and unique challenges in accessing quality healthcare."
It´s really simple –the most deserving citizens were turned into the most ostracized and vulnerable population; meanwhile we keep hearing provocative and emetic "we care" style speeches.
Snooping
In an insane turn of events, patriotism and integrity become the objects of scrutiny; no wonder that Veterans are once more the targeted population. Since the VA worked really hard for the reputation of the serial violator of Veterans´ rights (and the department´s own policies), whistleblowers are naturally not welcomed. Apart from "monitoring technologies" to retaliate against whistleblowers, the VA has been using VA police to "persuade" unruly Veterans not to commit crimes such as…hanging the American flag on the walls of the VA´s Disney Palace.
It´s quite ironic that VA police have been "inspected" by their employer too, and some police officers objected to secret surveillance by filing a lawsuit. Will the VA police find courage and integrity to truly "serve and protect those who served" by opposing to and disclosing coercive tactics used against Veterans?
Goofing around
No matter if VA employees are organizing psychic medium parties at work or are directly involved in waitlist scandal –they are staying under the protective wing of the VA.
The unfireable squad´s antics greatly contribute to the Kafkaesque image of the department led by "value-based leadership" preaching Robert McDonald. Serial and compulsive "misstatements" of the VA Secretary have already brought him Four Pinocchio trophies, and Citizens Against Government Waste named him April´s ‘Porker of the Month’.
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Recently VA´s mismanagement become so blatant and lies so desperate, that it looks like Pinocchio & Co are afraid of the arrival of Donald – they sense they won´t be in Disneyland anymore. Such a turn of events would also mean many more interesting awards for Secretary McDonald who seems to ignore a rule that every rookie on a dangerous turf either knows by heart or learns the hard way: If you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.
We often hear that every American remembers where he or she was on November 22, 1963 and on 9/ 11, 2001. I like to think that every American will either remember or will be reminded where he was while American Veterans were shamefully mistreated. Secretary McDonald was in Disneyland.
Joanna Rosamond is a Coach for high stress jobs, a consultant on PTSD and burnout. Joanna has 16 years of professional experience. Unconditional support for our soldiers and veterans.
