A few days ago, I pointed out that instead of paying out about 400 million in bonuses, the VA could instead award about 74,400 homeless Vets each a 40% disability rating. Instead of paying homeless Vets, they propose to give them an “app” on their smart phone! I did not make this up!
I know it sounds crazy that the VA would add a smartphone app for homeless Vets, but its right on the VA Vantage point website Yes, this is NUTS!
Did anyone suggest that maybe homeless Vets can not afford, nor do they have the skills to use a smart phone? The VA countered that people helping Vets have smart phones. Sure we do. We also have computers and the internet, but even with those we could not help about 75,000 Veterans from becoming homeless each nite. What is a smart phone app going to do that a high speed internet connection cant do?
Dont get me wrong… I’m a nerd and believe that technology can help solve the backlog/homeless Vet problem. I use the term “backlog/homeless” problem because I view them as nearly the same. If the VA could solve the backlog problem, it would go a long way in solving the homeless problem. The problem is the VA does not “get” the close relationship with the million man backlog and 75,000 homeless Vets. Until they “get” this, homelessness will continue. There are few, if any “homeless” Vets who work for the VA. Why? Well because VA pays its employees in two weeks, but Vets must wait for sometimes years to get their just compensation. Many people simply cant wait for years without an income and “hang on to their home”. If the VA paid its Veterans in 2 weeks and made their employees wait for 2 years on their paychecks, then we would see homeless VA employees! I would like to see VA executives get paid LAST..after every Veteran was paid. Now that would reduce homelessness!
More importantly is the “culture of denial” at the VA. Here is a good example of a commenter ROX who alleged he was a “government employee“:
Wow, it seems no matter what the VA does for us vets (I am a vet also), some vets are still so unbelieveably ungratiful! (sic)What can that government do that would make u ungrateful vets happy and shut up and say thank you for anything they do for you (and me). I have never seen more whinney(sic) ungrateful people (men) in my life!
I am vet and service connected and I work for the government. And I am still grateful for everything the VA has done for me, everything! end of commentor Rox quote.
I take personally his attack on Veterans. I think the ungrateful ones are government employees earning fat bonuses while 75,000 Veterans are homeless every night. Notice “Rox” has a government job and can’t spell ungrateful. I wonder “who he knew” to get his job.
asknod
Bethanie Spangenberg
kcraveiro
robinhoodesqvetsatty
Wesley McCauley
Veterans Claims Help 
I have been homeless for almost a year, I did not get into the VA system until about two months ago. I appreciate the attempt to find me shelter through HUD-VASH. Unfortunately they dangled a carrot to give me false hope and snatched it away. I was better being homeless and not hoping the V.A. would help, than being homeless and doing what I needed to do.
I guess what Im attempting to say is that its better to have no hope, than a false hope.
Scott, sorry to hear about your situation. Could you please expound upon the method of the carrot and if there were strings attached to accepting the help. It sounded as though the help was offered but the changes required more than you could deal with. Is this correct? Hope to hear from you soon.
I have an old trac fone and I don’t text. How do you get a phone contract when you are homeless? Believe it or not there are disabled vets who are qualified to do the jobs yet the VA refuses to hire them. Why? Because there are certain people is this administration who think that a special disabled veteran doesn’t deserve the GS pay and to be able to keep their compensation pay. This twisted logic seems to be derived from a “feeling” that single mothers have to give up their welfare checks when they go to work….No one ever seems to question exactly HOW disabled Veterans actually do become homeless. Or. exactly WHO are the Veterans that commit suicide and why. The gov’ts “risk factors” for homelessness and suicide are about as good as their “risk factors” for HCV. Any way not to pay….that is the way….of the vA!
By the way I became homeless while drawing 40%…..
I certainly hope that this moron is not in comp and review. Perhaps his feeling is coming from watching and listening to others which make him a sheeple. Otherwise I think he just an ass and I would love to “speak” with him in person.