WhatFinger


If President Trump is not careful the departments will ruin more lives, "misspend” more money and VA-ndalize his relationship with Veterans

VAndals of Veterans' Trust



Under the reign of Secretary McDonald, the VA “misspent” millions of dollars on art, but it did not make the department any more sophisticated than a bulldozer crushing Veterans´ hopes. The Obama era administration would rather blame an unprecedented number of Veterans´ suicides on “mental problems”, not extreme penury. An “Epidemic” of PTSD and TBI was blown out of proportion, but promises to end Veterans' homelessness were broken.
When David Shulkin became head of Veteran Affairs, the media underlined that everyone seemed happy, but for many Veterans the nomination of the ex-undersecretary came as more of the same. The VA´s main function is to provide benefits and support to Veterans and “ending Veterans´ homelessness” is said to be the primary goal. Meanwhile, the VA seems unable to focus on basic prerequisites for Veterans´ wellbeing and are ready to spend money on everything but food and shelter. The department´s interest in all kinds of “research platforms” and conferences advances the process of “misspending” and allows all kind of shady partnerships where e. g “non-profits” do scavenge on “Veteran business”. VA Secretary Shulkin´s recent presentation mirrors his 2016 Cohen Veterans Care Summit speech. The key words are: partnerships, donations, research, and Veterans' mental health. What´s missing is information on what homelessness does to our Veterans ´s health. Isn´t it ironic that while not everyone “brings” PTSD back from the battlefield, dangers associated with homelessness such as assaults, rape, and living in inhuman conditions “guarantee” a form of post-traumatic disorder? It looks like the VA and it´s philanthropic partners traditionally opt for investing in “research” rather than in a more measurable form of help. For many Veterans David Cohen, who is prohibited from managing other people´s money until 2018, cuts a controversial figure - and not only due to his business partnership with George Soros in Argentina. During an interview for The New York Times (November 4,2016),the hedge fund manager first “struggled to find words to describe what motivates his new philanthropic effort”, then came up with:” I was looking for something unique, special, something that I could own”.

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Veterans live by the “verify-then trust” rule and so the choice of CEO of “Cohen Veterans” must raise eyebrows: Dr. Anthony M. Hassan may have “his unique blend of military experience, clinical practice, and leadership” but he was” a mayoral appointee on the Los Angeles Military Veteran Advisory Council”. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti happens to govern in the capital of Veterans´ homelessness and definitely does not inspire Veterans´ trust. Garcetti infamously backed off his vow to get every homeless Veteran off city streets by the end of 2015, simultaneously co-authoring a sycophantic letter urging Obama “to increase still further the number of Syrian refugees the United States will accept for resettlement.” Donald Trump´s 2018 Budget grants $ 186.5 billion for the VA: $104.3 billion in mandatory funding and $82.1 billion in discretionary resources -5.8 % more than in 2017. Let´s hope that the increase of $4.4 billion will be enough, because the VA is known to devour budgets faster than locusts and continually demand more funds. Even if the President signed into law the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, the VA keeps drifting toward old rhetoric, “partnerships” and “extra-professional” activities. Whistleblowers continue to suffer… Indeed, the VA seems to be steering the sinking ship in an all too familiar direction and keeps rocking the Veterans´ boat. If President Trump is not careful the departments will ruin more lives, "misspend” more money and VA-ndalize his relationship with Veterans.


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Joanna Rosamond -- Bio and Archives

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.


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