Three years of speeches to the VFW a comparison

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By Larry Stimeling Staff writer

President Obama Adressed the VFW Convention On Monday August 17, 2009. This is the third consecutive year he has spoken to the VFW Convention. There have been some important changes in his speechs from when he was a candidate for President and now that he is President.

In his 2007 speech, the President said when talking about the Veterans Administration,

     

"No veteran should have to fill out a 23-page claim to get care, or wait months – even years – to get an appointment at the VA." Today the form for a new claim for a service connected disability remains the same as it was in 2007.

The President went on to state, "No more shortfalls – it’s time to fully fund the VA medical center. No more delays – it’s time to pass on-time VA budgets each and every year. No more means testing – it’s time to allow all veterans back into the VA. I will immediately reverse a policy that led the VA to turn away nearly 1 million middle and low-income veterans since 2003." The budget as approved by Congress and the budget propsed by the President did not contain fully funding for the VA. Means testing is still an issue. The maximum earnings increased by 10% or approximately $3500. Instead of "immediately reversing a policy that led to the VA to turn away nearly 1 million veterans", the priority 8 veterans will be gradually allowed back into the system through 2013.

The Presidents 2008 speech was very similar in its promises. He stated, "We must also stand up for affordable health care for every single veteran. That’s why I’ve pledged to build a 21st century VA. We need to cut through the red tape – every service-member should get electronic copies of medical and service records upon discharge. We need to close shortfalls – it’s time to fully fund VA health care, and to add more Vet Centers. We need to get rid of means-testing – every veteran should be allowed into the VA system." The promises of 2007 are repeated. Yet, seven months into his Presidency, not one of his promises has been fulfilled. Not even his promise of "Immediately" allowing access to the VA to all veterans.

That brings us to the speech in Phoenix in 2009. The Presidents words on the VA were quite different. "Whether you left the service in 2009 or 1949, we will fulfill our responsibility to deliver the benefits and care that you earned. That’s why I’ve pledged to build nothing less than a 21st-century VA. And I picked a lifelong soldier and a wounded warrior from Vietnam to lead this fight—General Ric Shinseki.

We’re dramatically increasing funding for veterans health care. This includes hundreds of millions of dollars to serve veterans in rural areas as well as the unique needs of our growing number of women veterans. We’re restoring access to VA health care for a half-million veterans who lost their eligibility in recent years—our Priority 8 veterans."

Notice no more calling for a fully funded VA. Instead a dramatic increase in funding. An increase that still may lead to shortfalls and the turning away of vetrans who need care. Notice he is taking credit for opening up the VA to half a million priority 8 veterans. The VA announced on January 9, 2009 that it was increasing the income threshold for Priority 8 veterans. This was BEFORE the President took office!

It is very clear that the President is paying lip-service to the VFW and all veterans in his speechs. A philosophy of "tell them what they want to hear."

His words of 2009, "And I will be clear that whatever disagreements we have on policy, there will be no daylight between us when it comes to honoring these men and women who serve, and keeping faith with our veterans. This is not a partisan issue. This is a moral obligation. This must be a beachhead for bringing our country together."

And of 2007, " And so long as I am President, America will always fulfill its responsibilities to you. God bless you. God bless all our veterans. And God bless the United States of America."

Seem to ring hollow after looking at them closely.

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