Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Veterans Affairs Department Scandal
The VAD is firing four senior executives because of a nationwide scandal for long waits for veterans seeking medical care and trying to cover up the delays. Many misuses in the department and lobbying slipups.
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Wow. This article supports the colonial mindset regarding individuals in power, demonstrating four instances within one department of respected, powerful individuals who chose to abuse their positions, putting their best financial interests before the interests of the veterans (six patients died). I found myself questioning human nature: can individuals be trusted to act in the best interest of other people? And is there a way we can tell that before placing an individual in a position on which the lives of citizens depend on? I came to the tentative conclusion that people are capable of doing so, but it isn't predictable.
ReplyDeleteIt is really hard to be surprised anymore by corruption in the workplace. Americans have grown greedier over time, and tend to favor benefitting themselves rather than others. It is growing increasingly difficult to decide who is trustworthy enough to handle important business positions; history has proven that power can easily lead to abuse. Something like hospital employees keeping false records is truly disgusting. I agree with Antonella, in that this article really made me question human nature.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Rachel said about not being surprised over company and department officials being accused of corruption. Unfortunately, this behavior has become almost expectant. It is truly sickening that four executives are getting fired for candles involving veterans seeking healthcare. No one should have to worry about whether or not they can trust the people who are supposed to be looking out for them.
ReplyDeleteI think this just shows how far down our nation has come. Nowadays Congress, and Washington in general, are so polarized over political issues that they cant even faithfully execute their jobs, jobs like administrating the Veteran Affairs department.
ReplyDeleteJeeze! This is terrible! These post-executives were taking advantage of the same people that fought for their freedoms! And, like Rachel mentioned, it's sadly not surprising. Today, corruption is becoming more and more common as the interests of Americans become increasingly self-centered. I honestly have no words for this situation other than the fact that it is extremely bothersome and disgusting.
ReplyDeleteThis is just another example of how our government is highly influenced by monetary gain and individual interest (Taylor was caught advocating for FedBid). This article clearly shows that steps need to be taken to uphold accountability within our government. Just as businessmen/women who trade in the market are held accountable by organizations like the SEC, so to should government officials be held accountable. We should be the ones that hold them accountable. It seems to me that every government agency should release their actions and plans so that citizens can decide if officials should be removed from power or not. I believe this would curtail corruption.
ReplyDeleteJust as Mike Lofgren showed us through his book, government corruption almost always comes back to money. It just goes to show how powerful money can be in influencing people. It takes a lot for someone to willingly deprive old, courageous men and women of the care that they need and deserve. I know through my mother's experience with my grandfather that the VA is already a challenge to work with. Hearing about this only further lowers my opinion of an organization that should be very helpful. If government officials truly love their troops and admire their courage like they always say, they need to clean up the mess that is the VA. At least the ousting of these executives is a start.
ReplyDeleteI don't know which is more irritating. That four executives were involved in such a massive scandal, that this scandal resulted in those who risked their lives fighting dying in such an insulting manner, or that what the scandal was about means that the Department of Veterans Affairs failed to take care of Veterans Affairs. That would be like a group of firefighters allowing a building full of people to burn without trying to fight the fire. This department failed to live up to its name and more importantly, it failed to live up to its job as part of the government; to ensure the well-being of the people.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to be surprised by the conduct demonstrated by these four senior executives in the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Our government has become increasingly corrupted by individual's using it to benefit themselves or neglecting their duties, rather than doing what is right and helping people. I agree with Schafer that the government needs greater accountability, but as we have learned that is difficult to do when so many people are responsible. However, it is important that people such as these are found and removed before people die, rather than afterward.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of the other posts stating that these occurrences aren't really that surprising at this point. Personal gain seems to be too attractive with regards to some, even when it is clearly evident that the net personal gain of their actions is vastly negative with regards to our communities as a whole. Corruption will always be present in politics, but the ideas of taking advantage of those already needy and covering up shady activity is just upsetting. While there is a degree of observation trying to detect corruption within politics and business, there are only so many resources that can be donated to the cause. Luckily in this situation, the corruption was identified.
ReplyDeleteI agree with pretty much all of the comments before me. It isn't surprising at all that this scandal happened (although its extremely disappointing) because corruption in business, media, government, etc. etc. has become so unbelievably common. When I read Antonella's comment about questioning human nature, it started to get me thinking some more, too. Can we trust people to help others without letting their greediness get in the way? It's interesting how money and self-interests can so easily corrupt people and get them to do such disgusting things.
ReplyDeleteCorruption is prevalent in all systems of government and occasionally it is truly disturbing the way those in power betray the trust of the people who put them there. In this case, it was the men and women who risked their lives for this nation who suffered and those responsible should be tried in a court of law, not just fired. Power corrupts; it always has and always will. We are dealing with the United States Federal Government, the largest and most powerful governing body on the planet. Slowly this country is starting to realize the dangers of having such a powerful government, including its inevitable corruptibility. The only way to reduce the unavoidable tragedy of political corruption in this country would be to drastically reduce the size and scope of the federal government.
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