VA Under Secretary Allison Hickey Resignation

Pay To Play, Will VA Under Secretary Nominee Be A Tool For Political Favors?

VA is reportedly selecting a new under secretary for benefits using a review panel that includes former VA under secretary Allison Hickey for input.

According to an insider, those up for consideration before the panel are Thomas Murphy, Curtis Coy, and Al Poteet. Murphy has served as the acting under secretary and was nominated by President Obama but not confirmed to the position. He is also considered the favorite for selection under President Trump.

VA public affairs was asked for comment but did not respond prior to publication.

A lobbyist familiar with the matter believes the move to include Allison Hickey in the panel could be to thwart an attempt by Curtis Coy and those supporting him. It is well known in certain circles that Hickey had a strong distaste for Coy when she ran the agency.

With her involvement, it would be more likely to select Murphy despite a previous investigation of Murphy for wrongdoing while under her chain of command in 2014 (more on this below).

Earlier this year, Murphy reportedly indicated he was set to retire. However, these recent reports from inside the agency indicate otherwise.

RELATED: Why Was Allison Hickey Covering For Rubens, Graves?

VA Under Secretary Favors, The Graves/ Rubens Scandal

To refresh your memory, Hickey resigned immediately after press reports discussed her involvement in a relocation scheme involving Kimberly Graves and Diana Rubens.

As a favor, Hickey supported their actions that involved forcibly removing at least one subordinate to allow both women to take self-induced demotions to lead St. Paul Regional Office and Philadelphia Regional Office, respectively.

Those demotions did not result in a pay decrease but instead a responsibility decrease for the SES employees. The pay was not decreased to reflect the demotion.

As part of the scheme, Graves and Rubens accepted financial incentives for the moves even though they were not entitled to the financial support due to initiating the transitions themselves.

Basically, as a consequence of forced moves, VA will provide certain financial incentives. These women orchestrated the circumstances that required their moves and then accepted the incentives improperly.

In any world, this would amount to fraud since both women should have known better than to accept the funds improperly, but VA rarely if ever does anything against its senior leaders engaged in such activities.

In many ways, VA funding is like a trough for pigs that eat more than their share without fear of consequences ordinary Americans would face in the same circumstance.

Sloan Gibson Reprimand And Court Reversal

Both women were later reprimanded by the former deputy secretary Sloan Gibson to include forced relocation without a moving incentive and a financial penalty. However, those decisions were later reversed because Danny Pummill was involved in the scheme and promoted to take over Hickey’s position after she left.

Pummill was promoted to the slot as acting under secretary after Hickey resigned despite his involvement in the favor scheme orchestrated under Hickey’s leadership.

Since Pummill was involved and not reprimanded, VA was not allowed to reprimand either Graves or Rubens.

I guess the saying holds, “What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

Danny Pummill And Allegations Of Contract Steering

According to insiders, Pummill went on to allegedly steer contracts in return for political favors with the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s camp. Inside the agency, he was known in VA to be very well connected politically and anyone who stepped out against him in favor of veterans, and the law, were allegedly retaliated against.

Pummill allegedly said a college buddy was down on his luck and directed his staff to evaluate his friend’s firm for a contract. Shortly after, Pummill’s friend’s firm was awarded a contract worth millions each year.

That company was owned by Sanjay Govil, and anyone who allegedly tried to review the contract with Govil’s company received pushback from none other than Pummill. According to some Wikileaks emails, Govil allegedly made substantial contributions in support of Hillary Clinton and sought help with VA after scheduling a dinner with John Podesta, Clinton’s campaign manager.

Some alleged communications from this contractor and John Podesta were included in the Wikileaks email files that ultimately sunk Hillary Clinton’s campaign:

Podesta Email VA Contractor Sonjay Govil

Here are links to some other examples:

Eventually, Pummill stepped down after being suspended for his role in the Graves / Rubens debacle.

RELATED: LinkedIn – Danny Pummill At Femme Comp, Inc Chief Operations Officer

Now, Thomas Murphy holds that position as acting under secretary and is allegedly seeking to cement his position to lead VA benefits through nomination under President Trump.

RELATED: Agent Orange Denier Promoted To Head Veterans Benefits

Those familiar with the situation are concerned that Murphy will perpetuate the culture of corruption to the disadvantage of veterans and American taxpayers.

While VA OIG did clear Murphy of wrongdoing, allegations still circulate within the agency that he is implicated in some of the previous schemes that involved Pummell. He was also a donor to President Barack Obama in support of the 2008 presidential campaign and subsequently installed within VA in a leadership capacity.

Do you think this is a warranted concern?

What do you think? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?

If Murphy is nominated, will the corruption and political favors continue?

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55 Comments

    1. @cj, good to hear it! i hope you keep getting that good weather. today is great here!

      1. @Ex VA: Temps will be rising into the 90’s. Be careful, those are dangerous temperatures for us. Can’t stay and chat, will catch up with you later tonight.

    2. They, better find somebody who will Cut down (COMPLETELY AND PERMANENTLY) the “Delay, Deny, Wait till they DIE” attitude! How about some CRIMINAL Legislation for these acts, from our CONGRESS?
      Also the DoD needs to line up on this when it comes to Combat Related Special Compensation and other
      Retiree (Disabled) related payments!
      Later!
      MSG VAM

  1. Ben
    Do you remember One of the “Hercules strangles” from the Greek Mythology? When was tasked to clean
    The stables of Afgia ? That’s exactly what we need to do with the VA (Both VBA and Health Care)
    1. Cut down ALL bonuses (these people they don’t deserve bonuses for SCREWING UP Veterans and their Families, They deserve CRIMINAL prosecution!)
    2. Cut down ALL SES positions and give it to GS -14, GS-15s! Preferably with Senior NCO careers and education!
    MSG VAM
    This will fix the problem

    1. @Vassilis Margaris – – – The current, continuous push to show the VA as a model Healthcare system is highly disturbing. My gut tells me this is all about giving the VA a facelift on the same old witch. More Lies and Deception.

      FIX THE DAMN BROKEN VA:

      1. Recognize the problems inherent in the VA are SYSTEM-WIDE, not just limited to a few locations.

      2. Fire all the Lazy No Good Workers. Fire EVERY single AFGE/SES Employee.

      3. Sell off all the VA facilities. Alternatively, they may be converted into housing for homeless veterans.

      4. Issue all veterans a card that allows them to choose their own doctors within their community that they can TRUST.

      5. The United States Government will PAY those doctors promptly (Within 45 days) for the care they provide veterans.

      6. Completely ELIMINATE the “Federal Protection” Umbrella for incompetent QUACKS that the VA sends to other states to practice other than their own. Gonna practice in Hawaii? You need to be LICENSED in Hawaii. Same applies to all other states.

  2. @Angela, Truly appears to me, and others here who have read your comments, you are redefining the Constitution and telling me that it’s what was meant to be. I can tell you are way more educated than I. Your comments left me wondering what the hell was I fighting in other Countries, when the real war is here. Good luck with your new government.

    1. No I am not redefining the Constitution. I am saying Liberals and Democrats have lost their minds. We do not need Socialism nor any aspect of Communism. If the Liberals and Democrats have power, the country in due time is going to collapse. If you would like to become like North Korea or Venezuela, then one needs to support a liberal or a Democrat because that is what they are all about. They stand by SHARIA Law and with Sharia Law people are beheaded. I am not forming my own government. The constitution is not meant for communist governing or socialism. It is not Sharia Law. I do not even get what you are saying or what your beef is with me. Capitalism represents the U.S. Constitution. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch is a perfect match to represent the Constitution with making judicial decisions based on exactly the law says. I do not no what you are even talking about. It is a fact the liberals have lost their minds and they are not about following the constitution. They are about political activitism with no religious freedom, no 2nd amendment, no freedom of speech and the list goes on. If Democrats get back in power, this whole country will collapse to where there is just a 1/2 percent existing with some decent type of life and the rest will be below poverty. And too, the VA will be even worse or not exist. If Democrats change their political activitism agenda, then it might offer a different take. No I am not redefining the constitution. I do not know what you are even talking about. Democrats and liberals do not stand by the Constitution and this is more true than not. This is why the VA and this country is in a mess. Because the Democrats have been controlling the country and dictating the country with the overabundance of unnecessary regulations with including the representation of no law and order which means no representation of the Constitution which and too means open borders with tons of illegal immigrants. And too, lots of funds have been taken away from Veterans to take care of illegal immigrants is this goes straight to Democrat policies. So again I do not even know where you are coming from. Capitalism is about freedom, justice, education and employment, free market competitive health care and not a single payer socialistic system. The country and the VA is a mess due to Democrat policies. Look at who has held power in the past years and you will have your answer.

      1. And you think Bitch Hillary would have been better asshole? What’s the matter Rosebud, don’t want to get deported? Stick your political crap back up your ass snowflake.
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      2. Hey thanks cj for those nice comments to a fellow veteran. You didn’t comment at all when Angela was going on and on about how great our toxic narcissist in the Whit House is. Good on you. Once again no opposing opinions allowed or you will get attacked.

      3. @Rosebud – – – Angela is allowed to speak her mind. She provides valuable historical narrative to this community that quite well illustrates how while we as young men were fighting our battles overseas – – – the “enemy” snuck in behind us and invaded our country.

        The “enemy” being the ideas put forth by our elected officials (All Political Parties) that over many years – – – have led to the current clusterfuck that we now ALL have to deal with. POTUS (no matter what party) has a much bigger handful to deal with in the modern times – – – than FDR and HT ever did.

        @Jo3n – – – Education takes many forms. You are “educated” enough. You said to Angela “Your comments left me wondering what the hell was I fighting in other Countries, when the real war is here.” I used to think the same until I re-read her posts a few times. Then I understood that what she was doing was explaining how the real war came to be here. While we were fighting with M-14’s and Ka-Bar’s – – – the politico’s back home were slowly but surely stabbing us in the back with their Pens writing “new” laws that would over time make it impossible for many of us to get the benefits they promised.

        Armed combat in foreign lands is plenty stressful. So is losing buddies to hostile fire. Or comforting them by holding them as they die in some god forsaken shithole. I know.

        Having said that, I honestly had NO idea what true stress was until I had been dealing (fighting) with my own government for benefits they had promised me – – – then reneged on that promise through “lawful means”.

        I would be willing to bet that you and Angela share pretty much the same feelings regarding how our government treats us as veterans. You both make the same point. You just use different words to get there . . . Yet the frustration, Depression, Disgust, and Abandonment you feel from your fellow countrymen is the same. And the VA is the point of that treasonous spear.

    1. @Ex va,@ANutterVet,@lily: Been a very long day, and I can’t keep my eyes open. Talk soon. hope you all sleep well. God Bless you all and your families. Goodnight.

  3. I stated in previous responses that a corrupt VA is eternal. No matter who is appointed to ANY position in the VA, it will be political favor, plain and simple.
    The only way the VA will become veteran friendly and dedicated, is to clean house from top to bottom, that is from VA secretary to the janitor, no question….
    That is abandon and shut down the VA in its entirety, reestablish it in another name or agency killing the union. No appointments to the VA will be civilian w/out military service and the appointments must be former military enlisted grades.
    Whether you notice or not, it appears former senior O grades or former corporate (veteran and/or non-veteran) CEO type are running and ruining the VA as with all government agencies…
    Long and short: bonuses are not factored into budget, so the bonuses come on the backs of veterans who have been manipilated, deceived, and denied……
    Quite frankly, it is time veterans literally took over the VA system and treat the VA employees and “cops” the way many among many veterans have been treated.

  4. @Disgruntled Veteran: DV, damn your a workhorse, sleep when you get a chance. You are one deadly focused man.

  5. @OLDMARINE: OLDMARINE, I haven’t seen you around in a while, this is not like you. I hope all is good in your neck of the woods.

  6. Hmm…check this out
    “https://taskandpurpose.com/exclusive-gi-bill-reform-memorial-day/?utm_source=exclusive&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gibill”

    Reads like someone is trying to fuck over lower enlisted…at a minimum.

    1. The new proposed reformed G.I. Bill better not be a change in order to exclusively funnel Veterans into Trump University. Just saying… 🙂 It could happen.

      1. @Namnibor – Yes that’s right. New information reveals that if the newbies sign on the dotted line for a 4 year stint, they will be able to attend China’s Premier Dumpling University, and will be fully ward robed with Ivanka Trump’s Mens Clothing Line. Ok, wait a second young man, . . ., OK, next, . . . sign right here, bitch.

        I got to get this dam pent up stress out. Is that OK with you?

  7. @Angela,, only wish I had your patience. Oh wait, I did have your patience. It’s wearing down fast. You said much of what happened over a hundred years or so. All good. I am sure our POTUS will reward you. I’m going on forty five years dealing with the VA. I’m not educated, computer illiterate, and don’t live close to anything connected to the VA. The VA is not for Veterans today, it’s killing us off with whatever means necessary. By placing these crooks back in power, POTUS just spit on Veteran’s graves, and in the living Veteran’s face. I’m sick over it.

    1. Jo3n, I was only including this in my writing to illustrate a contrast on how our country has deteriorated. This is nothing to do with any reward. I was saying this to show that the political system or our government used to be capitalist oriented whereas today particularly the liberals and Democrats are kicking down the door to try to implement a socialist agenda for the whole country which is what the VA already is. When I speak about freedom and justice and even education, these are capitalism entities. They do not belong to Socialism – single payer healthcare systems in which this is the very reason why the VA is about to collapse in due time without accountability and ethicality. Everybody is lining their pockets and the veterans are not being taken of the way they should be. I was only trying to speak about the culture in country / in the VA. A socialist system never succeeds. Most times it collapses due to no accountability and corruption. The VA is almost like a Banana Republic healthcare system in the our country. But our Democrats and liberals are about to break their necks to turn the whole country into a Socialist Banana Republic. The Democrats and liberals stand by Sharia Law and not the Constitution. Matter of fact, back in 2014, seven states had to pass a ban on Sharia Law
      and / or include a ballot measure that prohibits the American state courts from considering foreign, international, religious law. The Democrats and liberals want the United States to be like the rest of the world. Anyway, the point of all this is Socialism almost always collapses and the VA is a single payer socialistic healthcare system with minimal accountability which is socialism. I believe Secretary Shulkin should bring in new blood to head up the benefits portion of the VA. Not select from inside the VA.
      Yes, Veterans need a NEW VA. PERIOD. This is all I was trying to say. Republicans need to get their crap together to do their jobs to implement President Trump’s agenda. This includes the VA.

    2. All deterioration of the culture in our country and the inhumane, unaccountable, and unethical VA healthcare system all due to Democrat policies in past years. Not the current POTUS. President Trump may not be being briefed with all facts. Afterall, many Republicans and for sure most Democrats are undermining and obstructing his agenda. He means well for all if he has all facts to work with. I honestly believe he is about prosperity and success for all aspects of this country.

    3. Further commenting- Again I say, it is not President Trump. It is the establishment in Washington DC which includes the bureaucracies like the VA, the media, the lobby types, many elite Republicans and of course most of Democrats except maybe 3 or 4. The establishment is trying to burn President Trump out where he will collapse and turn his base against him. The establishment wants to globalize, open borders, single payer healthcare for whole country, socialism like Venezuela which has now collapsed due to Socialism, no laws, no order as evidenced by all the protesters organized by George Soros. Liberals- Democrats are about power, greed, socialism and the hell with the regular American citizens. This corruption has developed increasingly from many years ago when President Lyndon B Johnson was the President. When he implemented the social justice in regards to food stamps and governmental assistance, this was the beginning of the country becoming dependent on government which has deteriorated and which has almost bankrupt the country. From these policies is how big government has become prominent and is how the corruption has just about taken over the government which includes the VA bureaucracy. All what I am saying is this is what has lead to many government or bureaucratic officials lining their pockets. The Trump administration is only enforcing the laws that are already on the books. Previous administrations have not enforced laws at all. It is President Trump who really cares about this country and the American people. It is his Generals who are forcing the laws on the books. I almost started to have a positive perspective about Secretary David Shulkin but his under Secretary benefits individuals who are being considered have totally wiped out my almost newly developed respect for him.

  8. Actually, there is not much difference between the Democrats and some Republicans who are Neocons. And too the elite Republicans who are almost like the Democrats. The ones who are really appear to be for the American people are President Trump if he has been informed of all the true facts, Trump’s executive administration with including his Generals and the Freedom Caucus. Sometimes I believe President Trump is not being given all the facts particularly about the VA.
    And too, the Congress leadership like Paul Ryan and some other Republicans are pandering to the left. Many Republicans are obstructing President Trump’s agenda. This is sad. As for Democrats, all except maybe 4 Democrats are obstructing President Trump. Congress is only working 8 days out of April with all the legislative work and implementation of new policies that need to be done. This is a work ethic that needs to change. President Trump is really trying to work with both Republicans and Democrats but it is like pulling teeth to get anything done. President Trump is to making pragmatic decisions with being flexible with the ultimate goal of standing up for what is best for this country and the American people. If he could get more Bipartisan support, President Trump and his administration could get on with doing what needs to be done in this country to lead this country back into success, prosperity, and full fledged Capitalism. Capitalism is the only solution for prosperity. And a quote from the previous 20th President of the United States “James Abram Garfield.” He quoted that “Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom or justice can be permanently maintained.”
    He also said, “If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old.” I am quoting this quotes to show that the VA system does not align with capitalism principles at all. James Abram Garfield stood by capitalism with realizing the importance of freedom, justice and education. This president has similar principles to President Trump. I am just writing this to show how our country has deteriorated. SAD. And too, another situation. If President Truman had not removed Five Star General Douglas MacArthur for insubordination, we would not be having to deal with this current situation with North Korea. General Douglas MacArthur would have wasted them. MacArthur’s dismissal set off an uproar among the American public many moons ago. Truman wanted limited war. General Douglas MacArthur could have taken care of this situation many years ago. If it had been resolved, we would not have to be dealing with the insane, delusional, psychotic Korean leader today. Take care all. We need new blood to be confirmed for the leadership position of Under Secretary of Veterans Benefits. And Speaker of the House Paul Ryan needs to get out of the way of the Freedom Caucus, President Trump and his executive administration. Paul Ryan needs to go and then tasks in the government might start getting done including the VA. I am sure there are many others that need to be removed to get out of the way of the Trump administration so the agenda can moved forward.

    1. Start with trump. He needs impeached for violating the Constitution! Throw in his daughter and son-in-law. All trump cares about is himself and how much money he make. He doesn’t give a rat’s ass about Veterans or what happens to them. He’s a real Richard Head.

  9. Personally, I can’t tell the difference between Republicans and democrats. I’m, not trying to ruffle anyone’s feathers, not happy at all. What happened to the ACCOUNTABILITY law? I am hoping I missed the passing. @Ben, I need a good thing to happen at the VA. Holman Rule, did THEY forget? This isn’t change, it’s a slap on the face for every Veteran. I guess I need to hear from POTUS, His definition of, “Drain the Swamp.” What’s happening in the VA is NOT, draining the Swamp. It’s adding polluted criminals. The one’s I thought were gone. Sec. Shulkin has conned his way in with lie after lie, and polluting the VA with more criminals. How are Veterans supposed to feel? Makes me sick to my stomach. And, about as angry as I can get without anything to fall back on. Fuck it.

  10. “Pay To Play, Will VA Under Secretary Nominee Be A Tool For Political Favors?”

    Answer: If you ask me they all act like tools, so yes.

  11. Hello Benjamin and all,
    I do not agree with any of these proposed individuals who are up for consideration for the Under Secretary of Benefits position. Benjamin, why can’t President Trump, the Trump Executive Administration (not Congressman Paul Ryan with Congress — Paul Ryan’s job approval rating is lower than Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi’s approval rating — any Republican that has an approval rating lower than a Democrat — well this is bad…. I mean bad……and ultimately disgraceful….) and Secretary David Shulkin research for a health benefits professional outside the Veterans Administration to be vetted and screened to fill the position of Under Secretary of Benefits. Benjamin, why don’t they search in the private sector for an Top Notch Actuary who is overseeing an Insurance company or a Top Notch Director of Human Resources from an Insurance company, or a Top Notch Health Care Administrator with a legal background as in a JD or a Top Notch CPA who has a health care auditing and forensic background. Benjamin, they need to look for someone who has credibility, who is accountable, who is ethical, who is humane, and who has current documentation of all SHRM certifications -licenses, law licenses, current Actuarial certifications –licenses, current CPA licenses. Benjamin, they could even look for a Top Notch — PhD and MD type who is dual qualified or someone with degrees in Public Health / LAW or even a Clinical Psychologist with a Law background. Benjamin, these people are out there. Please Secretary David Shulkin hire some new credible blood like the newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Judge Neil Gorsuch. Benjamin, Secretary David Schulkin needs to really focus on doing right by the veterans. The only answer is to get rid of old baggage. If Secretary David Shulkin does not, the system is going to collapse just like Venezuela. Oh, by the way, did you all know that Venezuela used to have a gold mine in oil at $100 dollars barrel? Well, they are bankrupt now with people living in major poverty with people eating out of dumpsters. And too, here is the example of Socialism that the Democrats / Liberals love so much. Here is where the single payer socialistic healthcare system leads former wealthy countries and people who are not informed. The VA is headed down this same path if Secretary David Schulkin does not step up to the plate, if the Trump Adminstration does not appoint an outsider, and if Congress / Senate do not conduct a thorough hearings. Please all leaders who are in the decision making process make the right call. Veterans lives as well as my own life depend on this decision.

    1. If anyone lives in Arizona, the CVS pharmaceutical company is partnering with to VA to offer health care clinic assistance. This has nothing to do with the choice proram. This is a pilot program that CVS and the VA are trying to see how it works.

  12. Drain the swamp he said?! It looks like the swamp is filling up with poop and the gators and snakes are coming back to feast!

  13. Same ole bullshit, but only neatly stacked higher and higher. POTUS, don’t you hear what Veterans are saying? I’ll say it for them, “We don’t trust the VA leadership, and our trust is waning on you as well.” Mr. President, clean the VA’s own swamp pond.

    For those of you who are concerned about my health, I’m still on the fence. Taking it day, by day. DV, thanks for the check up call. I appreciate it, it means a lot.

    The VA is a dam failure. ‘Who are Veterans: the part of society that is forgotten.’

    Shame on your Mr. President, shame on you Senator and Congressperson, your too dam slow in fixing the VA’s problems. We are losing Veterans on the home front by suicide.

    Either start reforming and reorganizing the VA or give your notice to resign. Stop taking advantage of Veterans. Its unprofessional, its wrong, its uncaring, and it can quite dangerous. Its not nice to fool trained Veterans.

    1. @ANutterVet – – – Stuck my head in just for a second. Had the e-mail just about ready, then Winsneeze went achoo! and the mailer lost it. Retyping. Few more links and it will be on its’ way. Do not wait up for it, will be there before the sun comes up – – – not sure when.

      Nice talking to you. Your frustrations are understood. When I voted for the man, I decided to give him one year to begin SUBSTANTIVELY draining the VA swamp. Got another “personal for” setting sail his homeport next week. Fails to begin those changes, or answers me like POTUS Obama (None at all) did, then does not matter to me what else he does. He will not receive my vote next time around. IF I am still alive that is. We shall see.

      DV is too liberal to be conservative. Too conservative to be liberal. Not a moderate. Problem focused. Solution based.

      Why in the hell does the VA spend millions of dollars on television and radio commercials misinforming veterans, and the public – – – about how great the VA healthcare is?

      They are always showing what looks like a combination of Club Med, Shangri-La, and Queen’s Medical Center. What they should be doing is paying their VA CHOICE bills, so VETERANS DON’T HAVE TO DEAL WITH COLLECTIONS and have their CREDIT go down the drain.

      The current, continuous push to show the VA as a model Healthcare system is highly disturbing. My gut tells me this is all about giving the VA a facelift on the same old witch. More Lies and Deception.

      FIX THE DAMN BROKEN VA:

      1. Recognize the problems inherent in the VA are SYSTEM-WIDE, not jus limited to a few locations.

      2. Fire all the Lazy No Good Workers. Fire EVERY single AFGE/SES Employee.

      3. Sell off all the VA facilities. Alternatively, they may be converted into housing for homeless veterans.

      4. Issue all veterans a card that allows them to choose their own doctors within their community that they can TRUST.

      5. The United States Government will PAY those doctors promptly (Within 45 days) for the care they provide veterans.

      6. Completely ELIMINATE the “Federal Protection” Umbrella for incompetent QUACKS that the VA sends to other states to practice other than their own. Gonna practice in Hawaii? You need to be LICENSED in Hawaii. Same applies to all other states.

      1. @Nam – – – Just stuck my head in to leave a “personal for” ANutterVet. Thanks for your “Thumbs Up”. Haven’t had a chance today to read Big Ben’s article, or other Brothers/Sisters comments.

        Really busy since the fire in my apartment building this past Saturday night. See you all in a few days.

        Anyone wants/needs to talk – – – dial the phone. You have my number.

      2. @Disgruntled Veteran: Dammit…………………..I am voting for you next time around. Fuck the damn establishment. President Trump an outsider? LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO anyone really believe that shit? I am with @VA IS LYING INC, never was the wool pulled over his eyes. Once again voted the lessor of two evils, and fucked only half as hard. Good thing my asshole is too high, and I run to quck for these snakes in the grass to catch me.

  14. These friggin swamp rats are like zombies constantly returning to feed.

    Why is Hickey involved in this at all unless it’s at the behest of Shulkin, or someone advising Shulkin.

    FFS if you want to clean up corruption, you don’t make window-dressing moves then return to business as usual and let the swamp rats back in.

    I had a good opinion of Hickey until my eyes were opened in reading of her involvement with Rubens and Graves. She signed off on blatant fraud and should get no second chances.

    My opinion of Shulkin was improving until I read this.

    Murphy? How the hell can someone be at his level, or Shulkins for that matter and not be aware of some of the corruption going on under their very noses?

    To claim they were unaware must mean they are incompetent then.

    Pummell? Why the hell is this guy not in jail? Next to Rubens and Graves?

    Help with the VA? Jesus H on a Qtip, no wonder veterans can’t be heard when the only concern for these fucks is thieving from the very agency that is supposed to help us.

    His email to Podesta, who happily obliged since Govil was donating piles of money reads like it’s from a Nigerian Prince.

    In this case, from an Indian Prince.

    If you read his LinkedIn profile, he got his business degree from Wharton in 2008. In 1999 he created his IT company, and in 2010 they had an Initial Public Offering of stock for his company bragging that it raised $1.8 billion!

    6 years later he had to write an email to Podesta and checks to Granny Clintons campaign to get on the gravy train.

    And nobody at VA thought it strange that he burned through $1.8 billion in 6 years or less?

    And Pummell thought he was down on his luck?

    How many veteran owned IT companies were passed over because this guy wrote checks to the right politicians?

    Did he get the contract to set up backup calling centers in India for the veterans suicide hotline?

    At what fucking point does the swamp draining start Mr. President?

  15. Next improvement tool for VA ?Bonuses for most veterans exterminated. We aren’t dying fast enough and bonuses and promotions to the worst of the worst not coming fast enough .Drain the swamp has become fire the whistle blowers , kill the veterans, but be sure to say ” Have a nice day “. Gotta have that Disney world customer service .Improvement, accountability? WTF OVER ?

  16. Nothing to add. The VA makes me want to k— something. For me, this is unacceptable. Are they really wanting us to lay down and die? OK, the art is great..

  17. Only one way to fix this. Fire all of the leader ship and as shit rolls down hill. It can grab middle and lower management on the way down.

    First things first, senator Johnny isakson must be blasted with veteran’s and citizen’s to contacting him and tell him to get on board and pass the VA first act.

    The press is blaming him for the hold up !

  18. LMAO!!! I am STILL chuckling over Ben’s ‘Bad VA Art’ today. This is a classic and am thinking it would make a great illuminated billboard but it would pose a public safety issue with the amount of impaired drivers from the giggles.
    I really needed that laugh today.

  19. Ben, great va bad art!!! ROFL!!!! I believe that corruption and the political favors will continue and again there will be no accountability in the va system. The va leadership is too political. No one will be prosecuted because the majority are abusing the system financially, so who would prosecute when they are all doing the same things?

  20. Damn! Rubens & Graves just will not go away! Nice “Bad VA Art” today, Benjamin. Made me chuckle.

    As far as Thomas “Agent Orange Denier” Murphy is concerned, I do not think his ass belongs anywhere near veterans or the VA. He still refuses to acknowledge that AO is deadly, so I could see him just as likely to be a firm denier that burn pits, spent uranium, chemical spills, et al, are even bad for Veterans.
    THAT SLIM that the same exact gene pool of SES’ers is considered time and time again?

    The VA requires “fresh blood” and not veteran sacrifices either…the nepotism at the VA is so thick it should have the VHA listed under the wiki for subject of nepotism.

    Not liking the atmospheric changes going on with VA and although am giving Pres. Trump until June to see real change FOR VETERANS, am already starting to taste the pile of poo being served room temperature.

    1. VA DC HQ RATS ARE DOGS IN HEAT FOR THE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ VA BUDGET FOR 2017 182 BILLION $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ VA DC HQ RATS ARE POOPING THEIR PANTIES TO GIVE THEMSELVES PERFORMANCE BONOUS $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ VETS JUST BEND OVER FOR THE BIG SCREW BY VA DC HQ SEWAGE RATS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      1. @VA IS LYING INC: You have been right all along, oddly enough. Not a damn thing is ever going to change in any meaningful way. Y

      2. @VA IS LYING INC – – – Perfect Post! On Target. To the point. Learning a lot about how to modify my own writing style from you.

        Thank You.

        @CJ – – – I see first-class educational material in these posts. Imagine. Clean up the spelling a bit – – – edit out a few $$$$$$ in order that the textual content will fit on a Billboard sign – – – place them all over America. Gotta be cheaper than TV time, right?

        Gets the message across. Loud and Clear.

      3. @Disgruntled Veteran: I agree. Also, I am a huge “VA IS LYING INC” fan. He says so much with so little. One efficient sniper for sure. He gets the VA in those crosshairs and, BANG!!!!

      4. @cj – – – Agreed WRT VA IS LYING INC. Great Sniper! Always a kill shot. Never wastes ammo.

        Saw your other post regarding me being workhorse and sleep. Roger that. I sleep when able, but frankly not much. If I get 20 hours of sleep a week – – – I feel like I have been lazy, LOL! Sad but true. That’s how my PTSD/Anxiety work. On the plus side, I help a lot of people with a lot of things. Particularly those that are not as fortunate as I.

  21. It looks like we have had these issues before over and over and nothing changes..nothing done..just run the articles to look like it might change…every vet needs to walk out…tell all your family and everyone that will listen how you have been treated…go protest…make the VA shut down and fire all the a holes and DAV and etc that make their dime off vet suffering…just enough kids …shut it down shut it down!!! https://www.law360.com/articles/30374/va-hit-with-massive-class-action

    1. Benjamin, how is this new executive order that President Trump has signed which is a law stating that a veteran can see a doctor of their choice going to be used? In the VA? In the private sector? Can you explain the details? Or have the details been determined?
      Do you have information?

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