While I fault Ira Katz for his deception, I hope you will all agree that he is a symptom of the bigger problem. His deception is inherent and all too familiar in the government, and especially his Department. He would not have hidden it if the corporate culture didn't demand he do so. So it is non-productive to request he resign without demanding the resignation of his superiors up to and including the Secretary Dr. Peake, all the executive leadership of the VA, the Office of General Counsel, and yes, the President of the United States. Responsibility cannot be delegated.

I also take umbrage with the notion that Congress is responsible for funding. The process is much more complicated than that. The President submits a budget requesting funding based on the recommendations of OMB. Congress reviews it and may increase or cut that budget as it sees fit. However, the President still may veto any appropriation bill he choses and has recently done so. So unless Congress chooses to enact legislation, with funding, and works with the other players in the system, it is not going to happen.

What can we do you ask? Go to OFFE and get all your friends in every state in this nation to circulate the petition for mandatory funding. I think and hope you do also, that 95% of the population voting for the resolution will send a message to Capitol Hill that we are not second class citizens, we are the backbone of this nation.

Be proactive. Understand two things, the first is that the citizenry support the troops, and that a gentle nudge sometimes works better than a hammer. Remember politicians will resist, but then knock each other down to get on board when they see the popular support of this mandate.

http://www.offe2008.org/