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Comment by Tom Winscher 5 hours ago

Veterans Pay the Cost for Governor Doyle’s Policies



Recently, Wisconsin’s Department of Justice released their final investigative report into overexpenditures at the King Veterans Home. According to the report, no criminal violations occurred within King or the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA). However, it did cite communication concerns within the Department.



Partly based on those concerns, the Veterans Affairs Board fired Secretary Scocos and appointed then Assistant Secretary Ken Black as Department Secretary on November 24, 2009.



Scocos’ firing and Black’s appointment are perplexing. During the period most of the communication concerns used to justify Scocos’ firing occurred, he was in Iraq, and Black filled in as his Acting Secretary.



Repeatedly within the Justice Department report, Black contradicts staff at King and the Department of Veterans Affairs. For example, overexpenditures cited included purchased pharmaceutical equipment. When asked if he knew about the purchase, according to the report Black claimed he, “…. had no idea that a pharmaceutical packaging system was even under consideration or was needed.”



However regarding that purchase the report states, “Acting Secretary Black’s statements are contradicted by OPPB Director Abrahamsen, Commandant Crowley and Finance Director Stead.”



The report continues, “This initiative (which included the purchase of pharmaceutical equipment) was discussed during weekly video conference meetings that included Acting Secretary Black as well as the two commandants.”



Other questions surround the Veterans Affairs Board’s actions and their oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs. King’s Finance Director Steve Stead reported that during a video conference meeting with Acting Secretary Black, Director Abrahamson and others, he was directed to prepare a list of items that caused King Veterans Home to exceed its budget.



In a follow up e-mail dated July 13, 2009, Stead compared FY2008 with FY2009 budget figures for King in three expense categories: building maintenance; food; and medical supplies.



According to Stead, in March, 2009, a new inspector in Governor Doyle’s Department of Administration cited King for deficiencies previously not identified, totaling $263,000 in corrective costs. Higher fuel cost directly resulted in elevated food prices. Lastly, to address “an increasingly heavier population,” bariatric beds and lifts were required. Their purchase increased medical supplies expenses.



Additionally, to address state budget deficits in October 2008, Governor Doyle initiated policies and mandates requiring all new government hires be approved through his Department of Administration. King Veterans Home was included in the hiring mandate.



A follow up e-mail from Steve Stead to the Department of Veterans Affairs dated October 15, 2009 reports: “The hiring freeze has been in effect for slightly more than a year now. While the Home’s positions were not frozen, additional approval steps were added that has delayed the amount of time necessary to perform a new hire. The Wisconsin Veterans Home at King presently has 72 of the 902 positions authorized to the Home at King (not counting central office positions) vacant.”



Stead further illustrated the hiring freeze’s fiscal effect on King. He compared staff overtime expenditures for the 12 months prior to October 2008 to the 12 months following governor Doyle’s initiated hiring procedures. Altogether, staff overtime costs increased $366,180.



Next, Stead compared contract staff from staffing agencies. Costs for the period prior to October 2008 were $75,496. The subsequent 12 months following the hiring freeze saw costs rise to $182,574. In other words, as a direct result of outsourcing services because of staff shortages, King paid out $108,028 more in contracting costs.



To date, hiring delays have resulted in costing King in excess of $474,208. That total is growing monthly. Adding in the inspection discrepancies by the governor’s Department of Administration totaling $263,000 brings the cost to veterans at nearly $750,000.



Interestingly, Acting Secretary Black claimed in his referral letter to the Attorney General that King exceeded its fiscal budget because of capital expenditures. These purchases, including a fire truck, packaging system, and storage units totaled $701,000.



In reality, the true costs of King’s overexpenditures are not the purchasing of justifiable equipment as proven in the Department of Justice’s report. But instead, they incurred from policy and mandate decisions directed by Governor Doyle that were unchallenged by his hand picked Department of Veterans Affairs Board.



Hiring decisions delayed and policies mandated by Governor Doyle have expended a high cost. Those who’ll pay the price are the dedicated understaffed caregivers at King as they tend to our most vulnerable heroes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And ultimately, our veterans will pay the highest price at the place they come to spend the final years, months, and days of their lives.



What do you think about this issue? Click here and send an email with your thoughts.



Respectfully,













Kevin Petersen

State Representative

40th Assembly District

Comment by David Martin 8 hours ago

As long as we continue to play their game they will continue to win. To debate this in the context of the cost, quality or access to health care is to miss the point. It is about money, and the power that automatically goes along with it. The goal is to funnel all the money now spent in the private sector on health care into the treasury. Nothing more or less.

The same goes for the climate issue, climate emails or not, proving the science is junk means nothing when it never was about the science (or the environment) to begin with.

Voting..........like Charlie Brown to the football. 220 years of voting got us to where we are today. Most of the erotion of our liberties has occured since the civil war, it has been a more or less steady assault on federalism regardless of who we have voted into office. It's time for a different approach.

Everyone should be familiar with Jeffersons Virginia resolution of 1798, search under Tom Woods, or tenth amendment center for info if you are not. Jefferson established the procedure known as nullification with this resolution, (which Madison followed with a similar resolution from Kentucky) whereby states reserve the right to refuse to enforce federal laws that they deem to be unconstitutional.

The federal government is not going to pull it's own teeth regardless of who we vote in, nullification is the only tool short of armed revolution that we have to do it with. Some states are picking around the edges with attempts to assert their tenth amendment rights with regard to interstate commerce mostly involving gun laws. This is a good sign and I hope they are succcessfull, but I think what is needed is to get to the heart of the matter.

Payroll witholding is the key and is the law the states should nullify. Forcing the Feds to go directly to the people for their money will not only eliminate their interest free use of overtaxed revenue, but more importantly will make people aware of how much of their money is being confiscated by forcing them to write the check.

Third party money handlers need to be eliminated wherever they exist, whether its payroll deductions for taxes or insurance benefits, or the feds handling your money in the name of health care. The states have the power to stop it...if we want them to.

Comment by Dave Wooldridge 9 hours ago

Tom;
I'm still fuming! These bureaucrap(t)s can't even run their own inside post office, how, in Gods' name, did they come up with the idea that people really want this 10 lbs. of ----, in a 5 lb. bag?
I just keep remembering the saying that you reap what you sew. Boy, did we kill the garden last year! Get the Roto-Tiller out and plant a new garden next November!

Comment by Tom Winscher 11 hours ago

This was posted by Sen Kohl. Any comments? I would be interesting in hearing what people have to say about this statement.

Over the past year, we have seen confusion about what health reform will mean for Americans, and particularly for seniors. I had hoped that once the Senate voted to move forward with debate on one merged bill, we could finally offer some definitive answers on how health reform will benefit them. Unfortunately, many people in Washington are continuing to send mixed messages about some very concrete provisions. As Chairman of the Aging Committee, I want to help set the record straight for older Americans.

This health reform bill is not going to cut Medicare benefits. Independent groups such as AARP and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare have said that this bill will strengthen Medicare, not harm it. AARP believes that this bill will transition Medicare to a more efficient system, where quality health care outcomes are rewarded, and waste – which experts believe accounts for up to 30 percent of Medicare spending – is reduced.

In terms of the cuts to Medicare Advantage, this bill will only cut back on overpayments to these private Medicare plans – essential benefits will not be affected. AARP also supports these cuts, because they understand that most of the overpayments are going to insurance company profits, not to seniors’ benefits, and that this overspending is putting Medicare on a faster path to insolvency. Experts say that by making these cuts, health reform will extend the solvency of the Medicare trust fund by five years, without making one cut to guaranteed benefits.

I understand that people complain that this bill is too long. But any bill that seeks to offer choice and meet the needs of so many Americans is, by necessity, complex. We can’t gloss over these vital issues. So I would like to take a minute to share with you some of the provisions that have not received as much attention, but are nevertheless crucial to improving America’s health care system.

There is a lot in this bill for older Americans, retirees, and those planning ahead for a happy and healthy long life. The Aging Committee has worked closely with the leadership of the HELP and Finance Committees to include several of our provisions, most of which have bipartisan support. I would like to particularly thank Senator Baucus, Senator Dodd, Senator Harkin and Majority Leader Reid for being so willing to work with us on these important issues.

We have enlisted help from seniors’ groups of every stripe to ensure that health reform makes commonsense improvements that, in some cases, are desperately needed. This bill will significantly improve the standard of care in nursing homes nationwide for the first time in 22 years and I thank my colleague, Senator Grassley, for working together to make sure that this important issue was not overlooked as part of health reform. In and of itself, this is a huge undertaking, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle to comprehensively reform our health care system.

This bill will also train and expand the health care workforce so they are prepared to care for the growing elderly population. By implementing recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, we will begin to address the severe shortage we face of direct care workers.

This bill will protect vulnerable patients by creating a nationwide system of background checks for long-term care workers. This policy is more than just a good idea in theory—we’ve implemented it in seven states and seen the results. Comprehensive background checks are routine for those who work with young children, and we should be protecting vulnerable seniors and disabled Americans in the same way.

And this bill will make it easier for seniors to get the care they need in their own homes, because when it comes to long-term care, one size does not fit all. The goal of long-term care should be to allow older or disabled Americans to live as independently as possible. This bill will help update our current long-term care system in order to offer choices tailored to an individual’s needs. It will also help to alleviate the huge financial and emotional burden on married couples who need long-term care. I worked with my colleague Senator Cantwell to ensure that married couples who receive care in their home and community are not required to spend the vast majority of their assets to receive assistance.

The Committee has also helped to include a provision that will benefit all Americans, regardless of age, by helping to lower the cost of prescription drugs and medical devices. Our policy aims to make transparent the influence of industry gifts and payments to doctors.

Though these are only a few of the Aging Committee’s priorities, this bill makes many other improvements to the current health care system for older Americans.

The Senate bill will reduce the cost of preventive services and add a new focus on paying doctors to keep patients well, not just paying for when their patients get sick. Today, seniors pay 20 percent of the cost of many preventive services. By eliminating the copayment and deductibles in Medicare for important services such as immunizations, cholesterol screening, bone calcium-level screenings and colonoscopies, we will help save lives and lower health care costs.

The bill will also provide, for the first time, an annual wellness visit at no cost to the Medicare beneficiary. Patients will be able to receive a personalized health risk assessment for chronic disease, have a complete review of their personal and family medical history, and receive a plan for their care.

This bill will remove the ability of insurance companies to deny access to consumers based on a pre-existing condition. We know that having health care is essential throughout one’s life, from beginning to end. But many older Americans count the days until they become eligible for Medicare, because they are unable to find insurance coverage at any cost due to a health condition in their past.

I could go on and on about the many other improvements, small and large, that will benefit our nation’s seniors. My hope is that as this debate continues, my colleagues and I can work to educate seniors – not scare them – about the important changes this bill will make to provide them with better health care at a lower cost.

Comment by Pete's Farm on November 24, 2009 at 9:01pm

We need to get rid of all Secret Societies, CFR, Dual Isareali, AIPAC, ADL. Now search jew traitors part 1 & 2-the sheer volume of jews occupying positions of trust doesn't agree with the talmud & torah. Read IfAmericansknew.org & ask why joosreal gets $7,000,000 per day for 6,000,ooo jews in isreal. If the US is a Nation of Laws-ask why Mossad agent Chrtoff dismissed spy charges against AIPAC. Ask WHY We the Ppl are forced to voluntarily pay an illegal income tax to a private bank-the FRB is NOT a part of Our Gov't-nor is the IRS-the FRB is a private bank corporation that pays NO income tax. Ask how Roosevelt has the Constnl authority to sign We the Ppl to a life of Slavery/involuntary servitude to a private corporation, the FRB. An open society with a gov't subject to Sunshine laws-why does thev kenyan CFR puppet refuse to produce a real live birth certificate or why the graduating Class of 1983-no one remembers the kenyan even being ther. Why hasn't Baxter been arrested for releasing Pandemic agents-WMD or is this because obumr owns baxter stock..The kenyan promised to end the wars-over 35,000 troops r headede to Afgani-cause of the war r the opium harvest that is run by the CIA & Mossad. The kenyan is to have told the Russian President, for all purposes, the US Constitution no longer exists-is this why his oath omitted, "tp protect from all enemies, both foreign & domestic. Why is the ex branch filled with CFR & dual isreali's, PLS search Jewish Traitors, Part 1 & 2-this will show You how much of Our Gov't is occupied by subsersive agents acting agaisnt The Republic or write petesfarms@yahoo.com & I will send you links direct-of which You will not like, shock, disgust & make You wonder-WTF is really going on, also ask why there is a nerver ending series of wars-search bush 935 LIES to war videO

Comment by DONALD STRONG on November 24, 2009 at 8:27pm

VOTE STRONG / DON STRONG
CANDIDATE OATH / PLEDGE:

"I declare and affirm that I will hold myself bound to bear allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America, and will use my personal energies and resources to convince the leadership of the political party, for which I am a candidate, to focus its legislative actions only to issues that do not usurp the rights that are reserved by the Constitution to the States or to the People. I will not bear allegiance to any political party or party leadership when its direction, policies, or proposed legislation or actions conflict with the Constitution of the United States of America, so help me God."

Constitution
Commit to strict adherence to the US Constitution. Propose and support legislation requiring Congress to identify and verify that all new proposed legislation meets specific US Constitution guidance. Study legislation presently on the books to determine adherence to strict Constitutional principles with the goal of eliminating all unconstitutional executive orders, bills, laws, resolutions, regulations and requirements.

Budget/Economy/
Balance the Federal Budget. Stand firm for capitalism principles as the bedrock for American free market. Lower or eliminate taxes on businesses to encourage job creation. Eliminate the Death tax, thus allowing small businesses and family farms the ability to be transferred to the next generation without costly schemes. Investigate and demand prosecution for any criminal or ethical violations associated with the 2008/2009 economic crisis.

Defense
The defense of the United States is the primary mission of the government, without which all other rights and privileges mean nothing. That requires a military force that is second to none in technology and advanced weaponry together with the infrastructure to support an advanced global fighting force. Before sending America’s men and women into battle, a congressional declaration of war must be approved.

Energy
Our country has abundant sources of energy, but our government has stifled development. Drill off our coasts, begin processing our abundant resources of shale in the western states, and build nuclear power plants. Use our coal resources to create synthetic fuel, and use technology to make the burning of coal cleaner.

Immigration
Laws on the books must be enforced. This starts with adequately funding our Border Patrol. A nation is not a nation unless it can control its borders. Interpreters or defense attorneys cannot be provided for illegal aliens at taxpayer expense. There is room for only one flag and one language, English. All Federal and State documents, including voting ballots and drivers license testing, shall be in English only.

Health-care
We have the finest health-care system in the world. Socialized medicine would be a disaster for this country. Innovation and the proper use of technology can streamline and reduce the cost of health-care in America to where every American citizen can receive the superior care that our system produces.

Respect for Life
Oppose destruction of life, truly respect God's power of creation and the blessing he gives us in our children. Also, with the number of qualified couples seeking children to adopt, babies born from unwanted pregnancies can expect a loving family to care for them.

Marriage
The sanctity of marriage by definition is the bond of holy matrimony between one man and one woman.

Term Limits
Professional politicians have nearly destroyed the United States as a nation of freedom, liberty and the capitalist system. Term limits for Representatives and Senators should be limited to three terms and one term respectively.

Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve should be brought under total US Government audit, but preferably abolished with appropriate functions returned to the United States Treasurer.


Donald "Don" Strong
Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 4th Congressional District, TN
http://WWW.DONALDSTRONG.COM

Comment by Jonathon McClellan on November 24, 2009 at 5:00pm

Want to help Governor Perry's campaign? We have part time work and volunteer spots open. Email JonMcClellan@rickperry.org for more information.

Thanks,

Jon

Comment by Paul Lewis on November 22, 2009 at 12:19pm

This is a link to a health care bill handout that can be circulated to spread the word on the details of this bill. It is a good one. Let's turn up the heat! Send it to governors and state legislators. This bill is a killer for many states.

http://www.takebackmedicine.com/health-care-turkey

Comment by Torm Howse on November 18, 2009 at 11:20pm

Please feel free to add into your respective formal complaints v. Fed/Obama, since I have addressed all of the straight-up statutory and constitutional *mandates* that you will ever need, here:
http://unitedcivilrights.org/uscode-v-obama.html

I have provided the same powerful ammo to many other Obama challengers out there, so the race is already on...

Of particular note, are the United States Code statutes that MANDATE:
-- "Presidential Records", i.e., all of the official and constitutional stuff, MUST be made PUBLIC DOMAIN, by law.
-- The statutory duty to ENSURE the above, is none other than the President, himself..
-- Besides, Obama no longer owns his "Presidential Records", but they are, by law, owned by United States.
-- The U.S. AG and DOJ Attorneys may absolutely NOT defend Obama in ANY legal process regarding "citizenship", "naturalization", "eligibility", or "loyalty" proceedings, of which I have also provided 2-3 dozen *statutory* routes using these methods to end Obama's faux "Presidency"...
-- further, the AG and DOJ may absolutely NOT defend any part of the Senate, nor any Senator, in these proceedings, since they are of Constitutional nature.. the Senate General Counsel's office must be THEIR attorney, bar none.

etc. power. much power to use.

If ya liked any of that power, then maybe also try this on for size:
http://unitedcivilrights.org/time4revolution.html

Cheers and God speed.


Sincerest Regards,
------------------------------------------
Mr. Torm Howse
Co-Founder, National Board Director, Instructor,
United Civil Rights Councils of America
http://unitedcivilrights.org
Co-Founder, National Board Director, Trustee,
Parental Alienation Awareness Organization - US
http://paao-us.com
Founder, Owner, President,
The FIDO Network
http://fidonetwork.com
General Contact:
P.O. Box 68665
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
(317) 286-2538 office (888) 738-4643 fax
indianacrc@earthlink.net

Increase Your FAITH!

Comment by Tom Winscher on November 17, 2009 at 4:15pm

No to Jesus, Yes to Allah

The nation's largest public policy women's organization is calling on members of the United States Senate to reject the appointment of President Barack Obama's first judicial nominee who has said 'no' to Jesus, but 'yes' to Allah.



David Hamilton (7th Circuit Court of Appeals)Judge David Hamilton is being voted on by the Senate on Tuesday, November 17 for a seat on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.



Many conservatives are concerned about Hamilton's appointment because of his rocky history. Hamilton has served as a fundraiser for ACORN, a liberal group plagued with voter fraud charges and other questionable practices. He also once gave the order to stop prayers at the Indiana State House in the name of Jesus, but later stated that praying in the name of Allah was okay.



Mario Diaz (CWA)Mario Diaz, policy director for legal issues of Concerned Women for America, weighs in on the matter.



“It's totally nonsensical and fitting that we are talking about it this moment when we have seen some tragedies coming from people from the Muslim religion," he says. "And we see in the media how they can't make the connection. They don't want to say anything bad about the Muslim religion of Allah or anything, but to Christians, it's okay to say bad things about them. Political correctness brings liberals to think everybody is good, except us. We are the problem."



This is the mindset Diaz believes Judge Hamilton employs.

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