Veteran Affairs: A Few Zeros More, A Few Zeros less

In “Mission, Vision, Core Values and Goals”, VA states that five core values underscoring the obligations inherent in the department’s mission are: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence. The first letters of each word create the acronym “I CARE” and according to VA:” The core values define “who we are,” our culture, and how we care for Veterans and eligible beneficiaries.”

Unless VA’s mission statement has been secretly re-written during a typically uppish closed door meeting, the values simply do not match the realities.

Integrity

VA defines integrity as acting with high moral principle and adhering to the highest professional standards.

The waiting list scandal and attempts to cover it up, raised serious questions about VA’s adherence to moral and ethical principles, and Secretary McDonald’s false statements created doubts about soundness of his moral character.

The misuse of millions of dollars and misappropriation of Veterans’ land rhymes with mismanagement and not with honesty and incorruptibility.

Commitment and Advocacy

VA states that by “commitment” the department means:” Work diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries.” Advocacy is to stand for:” Be truly Veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering, and appropriately advancing the interests of Veterans and other beneficiaries.”

In the department’s mission statement VA vows to fulfil President Lincoln’s promise:

 “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan”.

The term “other beneficiaries” refers clearly to Veteran’s family, but it seems VA officials often include in the group some greedy profiteers of “sharing agreements”, local politicians who need a “Veteran advocate” label and all kinds of shady “non-profit” groups that somehow manage to earn millions of dollars on the “Veteran –business”.

Secretary McDonald has named several “experts on Veterans homelessness” so it is legitimate to expect some results, proving the aces’ logistic and organizational dexterity necessary for adequate provision of housing and care.

 Unfortunately the titles of special consultants do not go to Veterans who experienced the hardships of homelessness, genuine Veterans’ rights advocates or architects capable to immediately create low-cost shelters.

For example, in L.A, the notorious capital of Veterans’ homelessness, Mr. Vincent Kane, a non-Veteran whose domain is mental health and Mr. Robert Shriver a non-Veteran who undoubtedly belongs to the local wealthy elite, serve as Secretary McDonald’s “special assistants”. The title certainly benefits Mr. Shriver’s political career, and Mr. Kane does have a special talent: for years he’s been helping to re-name the same botched “master plans” and is capable of offering very creative excuses and explanations as to why yet another elaborate project failed.

Local VA has been “appropriately advancing the interests” of local elite, shamelessly “sharing” land deeded for the exclusive use of the homeless and disabled heroes.

The management style of VA officials is ego-centric, not Veteran –centric and lack of dialogue does not come as a surprise; VA and Veterans communicate in two different languages: VA speaks Hollywood, Veterans speak Skid-Row.

Respect

In VA’s officials words: “Respect:  Treat all those I serve and with whom I work with dignity and respect. Show respect to earn it.”

Squandering millions of dollars, while thousands of Veterans are homeless, is by itself blatant disrespect for human lives. Pseudo-intellectual divagations on the long suffering Veterans’ mental health are adding insult to injury.

Whistleblowers are isolated and harassed; recently Los Angeles VA Police was ordered to issue the honorable leader of Old Veterans Guard, Mr. Robert Rosebrock an arrest citation for “displaying placards”. The “placards” being…American Flags were removed and confiscated.

VA officials won’t earn respect of Veterans by constantly offending their intelligence.

Excellence

According to VA:”Excellence: Strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement. Be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, willing to admit mistakes, and rigorous in correcting them.”

In VA’s officials own words, the quest for excellence should start with admitting mistakes accountability and constructive changes. Right now VA offers excuses just to continue the same disastrous policy: re-naming failed projects, wasting money and demanding more, persecuting whistleblowers and offering pompous speeches instead of practical solutions. VA’s unwillingness to part ways with the unfit, disgraced employees does not sound promising, and Secretary McDonald’s theoretical speeches on “excellence of leadership” seem more and more grotesque.

If some patronising, incompetent zeros were fired from VA, less six zero sums would be wasted and priceless potential of our Veterans saved. Meanwhile, we need to stand our ground until “R-S-P-E-C-T” is again spelled correctly.

Joanna Rosamond