Phoenix is where 40 vets died waiting for treatment they never received from the VA, but Professor Ditherton Wiggleroom likes to brag about how much he’s increased VA spending. Well:
Records requested by Open The Books show the Phoenix VA spent over $701 million on the salaries of 3,107 employees from 2011 to 2013. Despite millions within the system, only $180,629 was devoted to quality assurance.
During the same period, the Phoenix VA spent $549,989 on gardening and $211,268 on interior design. Other expenditures include: $324,153 on locksmithing, $251,004 on a librarian, and $672,181 on painting — all of which were more than quality assurance.
Of the total amount spent on salaries, 59% went towards management, administration, or operations functions — not veterans care. Of the 3,107 people employed by the Phoenix VA, only 226 were medical officers — or doctors — and 576 were nurses.
A cynic might say that the increased spending was little more than featherbedding and make-work for reliable Democrats.
How cynical are you feeling this afternoon?
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