” The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by this country”.

     That phrase was spoken by George Washington after our war for independence. It says much in very few words. Early patriots of this country were wont to do that. Considering the earthshaking new regulations about to befall the military, I pray that won’t dissuade any from serving as it may reduce our ability to defend our interests. What is of the most import is what Americans will vote for in pursuit of reducing the deficit. Will they opt to shrink the VA’s budget? That might turn out to be penny wise and pound foolish in light of President Washington’s admonition above. With the new influx of Veterans into the existing system, the need for more funding, or more precisely, the allocation of existing assets to the best and most useful purposes will be paramount. Simply throwing more money at a problem seems to be an affliction the government is fond of. When the money dries up, the programs are truncated so as to be programs in name only. Unfortunately, the personnel administering said programs rarely fade away with them. Herein lies the paradox. We at AskNod pray there will be no reductions in VA’s budget and that the Gee Whiz kids find new ways to reduce costs to deliver a quality product to Veterans of all wars. If that means trimming some of the dead wood at the Agency, then so be it.