Sioux City Journal

Dodd pledges to make changes in VA

By Dolly A. Butz Journal staff writer | Posted: Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Democratic presidential candidate Chris Dodd promised Monday to fix a "broken" U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system if he is elected president.

"The idea that a veteran has to wait 177 days to find out what their disability is and how much they're going to be paid, that's six months, that's a system that is utterly broken," he said.

The U.S. senator from Connecticut spoke to approximately 50 people at VFW Post 1973 in Sioux City during a community forum.

Dodd said people give up on the current VA system because it is "bureaucratic" and "takes too much time."

To reform the system, Dodd said he would establish an independent committee within the VA to make assessments within 30 days and begin rendering payments to veterans within two weeks of the completion of those assessments. Dodd said he would also establish a permanent commission on the VA to improve the delivery of services.

"I want to put together a commission of talented knowledgeable people," he said. "I want to know what's happening day to day on the ground, not what's happening at the VA in Washington, but is it delivering what it claims to be delivering."

Dodd said veterans often have to travel far from their homes to receive care at a VA hospital. He said that shouldn't be the case, and called for medical care options for veterans outside of the VA.

"I believe if a veteran needs health care, he ought to be able to get it anywhere, not just at the VA Hospital," he said.

Regarding the war in Iraq, Dodd said the United States has "done everything (it) can do." Dodd said he will not wait to 2009 or 2013, as other candidates in his party have suggested, to end the war.

"It's been a mess and it's costing us dearly," he said. "I believe in getting these troops out of there and bringing them home. Every other problem is affected by Iraq."

Combating illegal immigration at home, Dodd said, must begin by securing U.S. borders. Under his plan, Dodd said he would enforce stiffer penalties on employers who hire undocumented workers. For illegal immigrants already living in the country, Dodd said he would support a pathway toward citizenship, which would require them to pay back taxes and learn English. However, he said he would not support providing driver's licenses for undocumented workers.

"I don't believe in extending privileges to undocumented workers," he said. "I think we need to send a message that we'd like you to come. We need immigrants in our country. But there's a legal way of doing it."

Story Comments

DB wrote on Nov 26, 2007 3:30 PM:

" Sorry, but anyone whose understanding of immigration issues stops at jumping up and down and whining about "amnesty" has no business calling anyone ELSE an idiot. "

June wrote on Nov 21, 2007 9:10 PM:

" As mad as we all were with Republicans, they are the lesser of the evils. Dems would give away what's left of a once-proud superpower. I'm hoping that when Lou Dobbs returns to his show, we'll hear a welcome surprise announcement. If Lou runs on the Independent party, I think there would be a grassroots movement in this country the likes of which we've never seen. I want someone who will enforce the existing laws, will never grant amnesty nor citizenship to anyone who has broken into this country, will really crack down on employers who hire illegals, who will return the 14th amendment to its original intent, and will nullify the trade agreements and bring manufacturing back to this country so our children and grandchildren will have no need to fear their toys and their parents will have jobs. I think he would make a great president - a populist, a man of the people. "

Jay- Los Angeles wrote on Nov 21, 2007 6:18 PM:

" Mr Dodd like the rest of his ilk live in a plastic bubble. He & 90% of the political leadership are not on the ground where American's have to deal with this invasion on a day to day basis. These so-called undocumented workers have no interest in advancing the United States. As we in California, Texas & Arizona have been watching our society degrade the past 3 decades the rest of the country is catching up. Mr. Dodd the DNC & RNC are going have their little plastic bubble busted by rank & file American's. "

Bobby wrote on Nov 21, 2007 4:04 PM:

" I would suggest that Americans go to the American Patrol website and read the story by famed Southern California reporter George Putnam, to see how illegal alien students from Mexico are brutalizing the teachers and substitute teachers. In fact, I would suggest that Mr. Dodd, and other Democratics go and read the story. This is the future they are dreaming of for the citizenry. Vote for Dodd again. "

Bobby wrote on Nov 21, 2007 3:59 PM:

" A Democrat wants amnesty for illegal alien border criminals. Ho hum, snoooooooore. Wake me up when you tell me something surprising. These are the Democrats favorite folks, only the leader of the Democratic Party, Jorge Bush, likes them better. "