I don't like the fact that Shulkin was unanimously confirmed as VA Secretary

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I really wish Trump nominated someone else that could've inspired opposition from democrats.

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So you're unhappy with Mattis?

Yes, quite shocking that Trump might have made a good appointment.

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the best argument that you can make against government run healthcare.

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Then why are you upset?

Afraid it will be a successful endeavor?

I could fix the VA in 3 years.

Tell everyone that works for the VA there will be no raises (COL or otherwise), no TDYs, no parties, no excellent fitness reports, etc until every VA office/hospital is running at peak efficiency.

I was hoping he would go with Palin after she promoted herself for it. Would be a good opportunity for her to finally put up or shut up.

This is precisely why DeVos was a great pick for Education since she can begin gutting the Delartment.

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It's going to take a real reformer to take a sledgehammer to that place and the fact that all 48 democrats gave him a seal of approval tells me he isn't going to get the job done, especially considering that he's a holdover from the Obama years.

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While i agree with what you are saying, i don't think the Dems are against VA reform. I think they simply don't care about VA reform. It's one of those inconveniences that is more of an aggravation to them, than a priority. To the left, it's an easily overlooked "problem" that isn't an attention grabber.

So i wouldn't look too much into the voting patterns here, however, i do see what you are saying, and i do not trust the left when they are unanimously for anything. It's usually bad.

Personally, i don't really know anything about Shulkin, so i can't say if he's a good choice or not.

The VA is actually ahead of the private sector is sharing of medical information. It's not all bad, and I use it. I'm fortunate becuase my VA facility uses interns from a nearby medical school, and that's not the case in all locations.

But the issue is bigger than just medical care. Their entire compensation and disability systems needs reformed. If it ever got reformed they'd need to increase these payments. Call it an entitlement all you want, and maybe it is, but I think if you were injured, especially in combat, you are entitled.

Back to point, one issue is fake disability. PTSD is a big one. PTSD is certainly real, but it is abused. One example.

Shulkin has proven to be pretty good during his time at VA.

Off the top of my head, I think the VA is the 4th largest government agency. Wherever it falls, it is one the largest agencies, and to this alone, prone to more waste and abuse.

The vast majority of the VA's medical care is very good. This doesn't forgive the parts that are obviously flawed. We couldn't fire those people in Arizona and other places not becuase of VA regulations, but becuase of federal government entering into collective bargaining with union thugs.

It is an agency in need to overhaul, but the entire federal government is.

Don't throw Shulkin under the bus yet. I can bore you with my reasons if you're interested. For the record, I favored Shulkin as one of Trump's good choices.