Obama's answer

The president:

“Keep in mind, though, even if we had not heard reports out of this Phoenix facility or other facilities, we all know that it often takes too long for veterans to get the care that they need. That’s not a new development. It’s been a problem for decades and it’s been compounded by more than a decade of war.

“That’s why, when I came into office, I said we would systematically work to fix these problems, and we have been working really hard to address them. My attitude is, for folks who have been fighting on the battlefield, they should not have to fight a bureaucracy at home to get the care that they’ve earned.”

(Or: Hey, this is nothing new. Veterans have died under other administrations while waiting for health care. Just remember, all these problems now are because of a war I didn’t start or support. And even though I didn’t start this war, I have been working really, really, really hard to fix the problems. I’m sure you have seen Michelle’s videos about helping our heroes’ families and you’ve read the reviews on how good she looks in designer dresses. So, I’m sending somebody to look at the problem, and we will have an answer soon. Remember, though, it’s complicated. But rest assured, when we find out what happened, there will be consequences.)

Link to vast right-wing conspiracy, rabid, anti-Progressive Red State:

http://www.redstate.com/2014/05/21/obama-shinseki-another-incompetent-boob-charge-fixing-va/


“So to recap. The problem has been known about for decades but Obama only heard about in recently from press reports and is just now starting to fix it. The guy in charge of fixing it is the guy who has been in charge of fixing it for the past five years. The new guy in charge of the health system was an official in a hospital that is under investigation for scamming the VA’s appointment reporting system. One of his key subordinates has just been suspended in an investigation in Phoenix.”