My friend, ex sailorette, has had what could politely be called "some history" in dealing with the Veterans' Administration. Or, less politely, she's been kicked around by them, mostly because, while the VA is an agency designed to help veterans, it is a bureaucracy as well -- and the purpose of a bureaucracy is to serve itself, first, and to surrender as little as possible of its own resources. So, over the past couple of years since we met, I've seen her go from frustrated to despondent to frustrated and back again, and only recently has she had any real success on the big things. And, at long last, she has been able to blog a little bit of how it is done.
Please note: ex s. does not have anything much useful to say about the SENATORS from the state of IL, who serve in DC, and one of whom has served on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. The real action came from guys with gumption (and the right attitude toward their constituency) right down in Springfield.
Ex s. mentions her gratitude toward our state rep, Rich Myers. This isn't the first time I've seen him help folks out here. He and the people in his office have gone above and beyond the call, in making sure the people in their district get everything they need -- or they practically kill themselves trying to help. I don't always agree with the way Myers votes on specific issues and bills, but the man has shown he knows his job is about the needs -- not just the temporary wants -- of the voters in his district. That I can respect.
As to her mention of LaHood... It's a bit of a switch to have a man of intelligence on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, don't you think? Rarer still, a man of integrity. He went to bat for a vet who was NOT from his own home district, when our guy... well... I guess we can blame his illness for a decade-plus of blowing off local female veterans.
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