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Don't think this "welfarizing" of the VA won't fly. Using carefully chosen buzz words in the proper setting can sell this in a heartbeat. "Bloated bureaucracies" are hated by all, even though the VA is hardly bloated. "Modernize" is another good word because new is perceived as being much better than old. A phrase like "intent of Congress" coming from a member of Congress has the sound of authority. Then there are the two key words. "Disabled" is easily construed by many to mean unwilling as opposed to its true meaning of unable. "Indigent" just plain means homeless to most people and a majority of Americans feel the homeless choose to be that way.
Often, this type of campaign to change public perception is referred to as "demonizing." By "demonizing" the VA and not veterans, the onus has been placed on a governmental system that can be viewed, by some, as "bloated" and out of control. You will notice there is no "demonizing" of veterans in all this rhetoric. To do that would be political suicide. The only way to "support veterans" and cut their services and benefits at the same time is to portray the VA system as broken when it is not. The VA just needs to be funded properly.
So, get ready for more. The only effective way to keep cutting the VA budget is to sell the concept to the American people as a form of welfare. As an old broadcaster and public relations guy, let me tell you how it’s going to be done.
REMOVE DISSENT. Principi, Specter and Smith are gone. Those with a say now speak with one voice. Unity is important. Say we support veterans.
USE DEFLECTION INSTEAD OF FACT. When asked about under-funding at the VA, President Bush has never directly addressed the issue or answered the question. He uses deflection. Like this statement on October 13, 2004: "We've increased VA funding by $22 billion in the four years since I've been president." The dollar figure is accurate and it appears to paint a rosy picture. But it’s a number taken out of context, and does not take into account that veterans seeking healthcare have increased faster than the budget increases can handle them. Don’t worry. Just say we support veterans.
SAY IT AND SAY IT AND SAY IT. If you say it enough people will accept it as the truth. This works for everything from political campaigns to advertising widgets. Just keep saying it. Say we support veterans. Then say it again. Say we support veterans.
GET IN LOCKSTEP. Make sure everyone is saying the same thing. This is only slightly removed from #1 but can only be implemented after the dissenters are gone. Say we support veterans.
FLOAT A TRIAL BALLOON. Once all the proper players are lined up have one of them say it out loud. The Steve Buyer statement about "disabled and indigent" veterans is a perfect example. Say we support veterans.
GAUGE REACTION. Did anybody squawk when you floated the trial balloon? Did the Senate march, en masse, into the Oval Office demanding an end to this? No? Did the veterans' groups moan and groan? They did? Don't worry about it because we'll just go back to #2 and #3 until they believe. OK, it looks like it's going to fly. Say we support veterans.
REPEAT #3 WITH HELP FROM THE MEDIA. Get the talking points out to the talk show hosts and have them beat it into the ground. Many Americans say they get their "news" from talk shows, so what better place to sell a concept that people will think is factual. Say we support veterans.
PROPOSE LEGISLATION. Use all the right phrases like "bloated bureaucracies" and "core constituents" and "intent of Congress." Cut the VA to the bone and wait for veterans to yell. Say we support veterans.
LET THEM YELL. Give the other side of the aisle lots of time to scream bloody murder then call them "tax and spend liberals" and move on. Let the veterans groups raise heck and tell them it is for their own good. Say we support veterans.
DISREGARD #9 AND PASS THE LEGISLATION. Hey, we listened, right? Pass the bill and forget about it. Oh, yeah. Don't forget to say we support veterans.
Right now we are in the midst of #6. The rest will come faster than you think. As the VA is carefully positioned as a welfare program, public support for more funding will fade away. Is Priority Group 7 next? The Clothing Allowance? Benefits for spouses? How about a dollar cut in monthly benefits? How about longer waits for medical treatment?
We can sit back and watch this happen or we can do something about it NOW. It is time for a new level of activism in the veteran community. If we accept this deliberate and willful destruction of the VA, we dishonor every American veteran. Let us not allow this to happen.
