By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Michael Rodriguez
Should a time come when we’ll be judged for how we treated our veterans, make no mistake that history will not be kind to this current generation.
Consider the federal audit that revealed the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System in Harlingen produced the worst wait times of any other facility in the nation, specifically averaging delays of 145 days before veterans can even begin to receive specialist care. And yet not a single protest has made its way to the streets.
I speak not of an opportunity to riot and revolt but of peaceful assembly that can be noted for its aggression in demanding resolve as much as it can inspire contemplation and accountability. We’ve agreed that the Harlingen clinic’s dubious distinction will long serve as a source of shame and disgrace for an otherwise grateful citizenry, granted. But self-awareness can never be enough to make up for such a travesty.
If words could serve to rectify this problem, I suppose I would echo the fire and brimstone expressed by the multitude of enraged local, state and federal officials in response to the audit’s findings. I could then admit that I was not only saddened but deeply disturbed with the inexcusable mistreatment of our veterans, and I could further acknowledge that our community is often more outraged at Miley Cyrus’ latest antics than whether the soldiers who fought for our freedoms are receiving the care they need.
Truthfully, it also wouldn’t be unfair to concede that, by all accounts, we’ve become a people that have settled on a star-crossed fate to be “the worst” at everything: highest rate of obesity; lowest voter turnout; prevalent public corruption and scandal; and now becoming home to the worst wait times for veterans receiving specialist care.
Still, history won’t remember our words, our acknowledgements or our concessions; it’ll instead collect accounts of what went wrong, why it went wrong and who was at fault. Then we will be subjected to commentary of a supposed analytical nature, in which non-contextualized data designed to gauge our actions rather than our affinities will be the supporting factor in whatever judgment we’re rendered. Sympathies, after all, are not archived; and unfortunately, it would seem that much of what has been offered to veterans thus far has only been our sincerest apologies.
Can a mere apology ever suffice for a man or woman who risks everything on the battlefield in service to a country that treats them as second-rate citizens upon their return? The answer is a resounding no, because if we were truly sorry for the atrocities our patriots have experienced at the hands of their countrymen then we’d demonstrate that outrage in protests, in the voting booth and in correspondence to our government officials – where it’s historically proven that change can and will occur.
It’s not a foregone conclusion that Valley residents won’t rally for that in which they believe in, but what remains a constant source of humiliation is that we’re quicker to protest Chick-fil-A for the beliefs of a man whose influence is felt solely on a spicy chicken sandwich than we are in demanding better treatment of our veterans.
Yes, we have exhibited a propensity to give, to love and to redeem, but what good are these virtues if they’re selectively demonstrated and only at our convenience? True compassion comes without conditions, without prejudice and at a moment’s notice. That time is now. Actually, that time was yesterday.
If it should come to pass that the domestic injustices suffered by our brave troops motivated an entire generation of Valley citizens to demand better treatment from federal officials, then let it be yet another sacrifice veterans made for the betterment of our society.
As if they haven’t already given enough of themselves for our sake.
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Make that “one billion taxpayer dollars (off the books)” per week
Republicans had no problem spending one billion taxpayer dollars (off the books) during the Iraq war but when the troops get home they get no treatment or support.
In February of this year, the Republicans blocked a bill that would have improved veteran’s benefits. It is amazing that Republicans have the nerve to stand up and suggest that they care about vets, when they have done nothing but obstruct bills for veterans for years.
Breaking down the voting record, year after year, the pattern along party lines is clear: Republicans regularly propose cuts in VA funding and oppose increases sponsored by Democrats — a pattern that extends back to the first years of the Iraq and Afghan conflicts and continues to this day.
As recently as last February, Senate Republicans filibustered a Democratic bill that would have added $20 billion in VA funding over the next decade and would have built at least 26 new VA health-care facilities. The Republicans killed that bill because Democratic leaders refused to add an amendment on Iran sanctions — designed to scuttle the ongoing nuclear negotiations — and because they just don’t want to spend more money on vets because it was, “too expensive.”
Some Republican governors refused to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which keeps hundreds of thousands of impoverished vets from getting health care.
Senator John Cornyn Doesn’t Support Our Vets
Republicans Care About Vets So Much That They Blocked a Bill Expanding Veterans Benefits
I am a patient at the VA clinic. Recently I received a questionnaire and to my surprise, they only wanted me to rate my Dr. I have a great Dr who always asks me numerous questions regarding my health and is thorough. These Drs do not take shortcuts. When we are seen at the local VA clinic, we first see his/her nurse who asks lots of questions, makes notes, goes over lab results which are ordered a week before our appt. Then the Dr will come in and we discuss any issues and what we need to do. All appts are time consuming because they are highly professional and thorough. The problem is we do not have enough Docs. Also there is no ER so when we have a problem, we just walkin. The Docs have to squeeze us in. They are very efficient but just too many of us. I asked the nurse once when does the Dr eat lunch, she said he just grabs a bite. They are overworked. The problem is probably administrators and lack of resources. Years ago my personal MD at the clinic would enter a 6 month appt. Date. Then I would get an appt. Card in the mail. Now he enters a 6 month date for my next appt. But now I get a card to call for an appt. I call and the scheduler gives me an appt. 3 months later. So I am being seen every 8-9 months instead of 6 like my Doc wishes. That to me is administration changing the system to their benefit. We get excellent care. I once went in as a walkin for double vision. He saw me after his last appt. At noontime gave me a thorough checkup called the eye Dr who was booked up for 3 months, got my phone number and she called me when she could squeeze me in and we worked it out. She gave me excellent care as well. I have nothing but praise for our Doctors.
If the veterans are not going to be taken care of when they come back, don’t send them.