In order for the VA to be repaired, however, the career managers have to be punished for retaliating against whistleblowers within the workforce. VA workers, many of who are represented by the American Federation of Government Employees, have spoken up to identify some of the problems that are currently coming to light, only to face various forms of retaliation from management.
One must ask the question of whether career managers who have watched the juggernaut of privatization proceed down the tracks since the time of the Bush administration, are more interested in preparing their own nests in the private sector over ensuring that veterans receive the service to which they are entitled. How else can one explain retaliating against workers who speak up?
The VA needs to be repaired, rather than dismantled. Veterans need improved and prompt service. But this also means that the atmosphere of panic that has been spread by both the Republicans and many people in the media must halt. Here is an example of why. Part of the reason for delays in care was the direct result of the expansion in VA service to veterans facing disabilities that had previously not been fully covered, e.g., Agent Orange; Gulf War Syndrome. Yet, this has not been discussed in the mainstream media, most likely because to raise the fact that the VA was now serving additional veterans would beg a simple question: Why is the VA not receiving additional resources in order to accomplish its mission?
It makes you wonder…
(Bill Fletcher Jr. is a racial, labor and global justice writer and activist. He is an employee of the American Federation of Government Employees but this column does not necessarily represent their views. Follow Bill on Facebook and at www.billÂfletcherjr.com.)
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