Washington being broken has a ton to do with this, but there is a lot more going on. Obama either did not believe in his platform of 08, or else he was too lazy to do the work. My money is on laziness. I dont let "but the work was so hard!" work when someone is giving me an excuse for not trying, for being a prick as they failed to do the work, and finally for claiming that they were great when they sucked.
This is about more than just the usual "Washington is Broken" narrative.
veterans bills blocked by gop 2015 - Google Search
veterans bills blocked by gop 2014 - Google Search
veterans bills blocked by gop 2013 - Google Search
That's just the last three years.
I'll be very happy to furnish you with every single year he's been in office if you really like.
The President does not, contrary to popular belief, have a set of magic levers on his desk, and even if he did, were he to try to use them, the hue and cry about how he has "overstepped his Constitutional authority" would be even more deafening than it already is.
Not only that, but the VA has been a political football for decades.
There's a discretionary portion of the VA budget and a non-discretionary portion.
You would THINK that the portion having to do with the actual health care budget would fall into the latter category, because that would be the sacred part of the budget. Surprise, it's part of the discretionary budget, meaning congress critters, who enjoy guaranteed Cadillac health care, get to hold the fate of disabled veterans and their care in their hands every year.
My wife, a 100 percent service connected disabled vet with a SCI (spinal cord injury/disease - she has MS) needs to see a neurologist pretty regularly when she visits the SCI unit at the Long Beach VA, but the Long Beach VA SCI unit has been WITHOUT a staff neurologist for two and a half years due to "budget concerns" discussed in Congress. A spinal cord injury unit without a staff neurologist would seem unthinkable to most people.
It's kind of like running a snowmobile on asphalt. You sort of NEED SNOW in order for it to work, yes?
Surprise, thanks to continuing pressure, Congress FINALLY authorized additional budget for the SCI to get a neurologist again.
It only took two and a half years.
You would think that the CHILDREN of a 100 percent service connected disabled vet would be guaranteed the basic protections of the ACA, where they could stay on the vet's health plan till age 26, right. After all, CIVILIAN children get to stay on their parent's plans till 26.
Surprise, a congressional loophole left open by Republicans has left those kids out in the weeds and they get kicked off at age 18, in direct contradiction to the law.
Republicans have refused year after year to close the loophole. Ask Senator Inouye, he's brought it up year in and year out.
I know it's convenient for you to blame Obama for everything...."THANKS, OBAMA!!"...it's part and parcel of your decision to support a textbook fascist who intends to close down the VA altogether.
Just remember, the Bonus Marchers might return, and this time they will be very well armed and they're not going away.
You might think you're doing this country a favor voting for Trump.
But you're on the wrong side of history.