Today, my fellow Americans, we begin by reading a little tale from the folder labeled “the only thing that surprises me anymore is that things still surprise me.”
Immediately following this story, I would like to introduce you to the cogent and insightful observations of one very astute political commentator who you may, or may not, have heard about.
First, our story…
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- While hundreds of thousands of disability claims lay backlogged at the Department of Veterans Affairs, thousands of technology employees at the department received $24 million in bonuses, a new report says.
A report issued by the VA's Office of Inspector General said the department issued millions of dollars in awards over a two-year period in 2007 and 2008.
"The frequent and large dollar amount awards given to employees were unusual and often absurd," the report stated.
The reports also called the payments "not fiscally responsible."
Four high-level employees received about $60,000, $73,000, $58,000, and $59,000, respectively, according to the report, without sufficient justification. Another employee received a $4,500 performance award within the first 90 days of her employment from a manager who said that she did not even remember her.
The annual average award per employee was about $2,500 for both years, according to the report. About 4,700 awards and bonuses were issued in 2007, and about 5,000 in 2008.
The inspector general said one recently retired official, Jennifer S. Duncan, improperly approved numerous bonuses and "acted as if she was given a blank checkbook to write unlimited monetary awards."
During the two years in question, Duncan received over $60,000 in bonuses, according to the report.
In addition, the report concluded that the Office of Information and Technology managers were fiscally irresponsible when authorizing nearly $140,000 in improper academic degree funding, some of which went to Duncan's family and friends. The inspector general recommended the money be repaid.
The VA said it is pursuing a thorough review of the situation and it "does not condone misconduct by its employees and will take the appropriate corrective actions for those who violate VA policy," according to a statement provided to CNN.
Duncan could not be reached for comment.
Lawmakers in Washington have taken notice.
"I am extremely troubled by the Inspector General's findings," said Richard Burr, R-NC, the ranking Republican on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee. "I believe Congress should use its oversight authority to further investigate these matters," he said in an e-mail to CNN.
President Obama has told Congress it is a priority to reduce the number of backlogged claims at the VA, where claims are coming in at a faster rate than they can be processed.
According to a Government Accountability Office report, the VA processed 60 percent more claims from 1999 to 2008 than it did a decade earlier, but the number of claims still pending jumped 65 percent.
And now a few words from a political commentator who seems to have a grasp on the real world that often eludes everyone else in the profession, from Rush to Ann, from George F. to George S, from MSNBC to Fox and back again.
Things in our country run in spite of government, not by aid of it.
This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.
Alexander Hamilton started the U.S. Treasury with nothing, and that was the closest our country has ever been to being even.
I bet after seeing us, George Washington would sue us for calling him "father."
If Stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?
The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets.
Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for
On account of being a democracy and run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does.
Can’t speak for you, but I’m thinking that this guy should get out of the pundit profession and run for something.
That kind of common sense, mixed with a sense of humor, is just what the doctor ordered in this perilous period of piss poor politics.
Alas, no chance of that happening.
The observations are all part of the wit and wisdom of a fellow named Will Rogers.
Older folks are smiling and nodding their heads.
Younger folks, Google and learn.
You’ll appreciate it.
As regards him running for office?
Uh, no.
Will Rogers was born in 1875.
And died in 1935.
In a plane crash, by the way.
Sad as that is, there is something positive to be said about it.
He and his fellow traveler were found immediately.
You see, in 1935, there was no FAA or FEMA.
And The Department Of Veterans Affairs had no jurisdiction.
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