"The result for veterans is longer waits – often for disability decisions that are incorrect."

Tell me about it.

The processing time for disability claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs worsened in a majority of its regional offices last year, and the VA has struggled with its much-anticipated plan to correct its problems, according to two recent audits and a review of department data.

...

The declining performance came in a year the VA was working to boost its performance, hoping to meet long-standing department goals to decide veterans’ claims faster and more accurately. Office by office, the department is switching to a new processing system designed to eliminate paper records, curtail pointless shuffling of files and speed decision-making. The VA plans to move all offices to the new system by the end of the year.

In recent months, however, performance has been slipping. Beyond that, two recent audits call into question the VA’s ability to transform the department as planned.

I received my denial letter two days ago – without a checkup – 2 years, 4 months, 11 days after filing. I'll be appealing, obviously. And they will accept my claim, because its legit.

Just another hilarious bump along the government health care way.

Boomstick Control

Filing for VA Disability: Day 846

It has been 846 days (aka 2 yrs, 3 mo, 23 days) since filing my injury with the Dept. of Veteran Affairs. They recently sent a letter to notify me that they can't get a hold of my PT clinic or military unit.

In other news, I'm starting a charity to fund the implementation of internet and telephone services at the VA. Oh, and on-site training so that VA employees know how to use these strange and foreign technologies.

For Honor, For Country: Happy 237th Birthday, U.S. Marine Corps

Three Books Every Christian Should Read

I have for a long time been a terrible reader. But I think I've recently turned a new leaf, and find myself reading furiously on lunch fives days a week.

Mostly, it stems from seeking to redeem my lunch hour from 11:30-12:30, as my nutrition schedule has me eating my first lunch at the office at 11:00, and my second lunch at 1:00.

The three most recent books I've read are must-reads for Christians. I'm not completely set on recommending a particular order, but if I were to make a suggestion it would be...

1. The Explicit Gospel, by Matt Chandler
Some students from the college ministry I shepherd at church and my wife and I are studying through this book on Friday evenings (we call it "Explicit Fridays"). This book is an amazing presentation of the depth and breadth of the Gospel as you've likely never heard.

2. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, by David Platt.
Make sure you're ready before reading this one. Actually, you won't be ready. Read it anyways. You will be challenged immensely.

3. Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe, by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears.
This book will prove to be a resource to you for years, setting the doctrinal foundation in a straight forward and clear manner. Driscoll and Breshears nailed it.

God has done an amazing work through these men and the aforementioned books. Can't recommend them highly enough. They have blessed me greatly and will bless you.

The Christian Voter's Dilemma

I'm blessed to serve under Pastor Rob.

Conservative Recommendations: November 6, 2012 California Ballot Initiatives

Prop 30 - No
The Governor and state legislature are not serious about reigning in spending, and taxes haven't and won't solve anything in California.

Prop 31 - No
For more on this one, read Stephen Frank's article: California’s Prop. 31: The Revolution Will Not Be Publicized. He does a much better job that I could.

Prop 32 - Yes
Public unions – like the dreaded California Teachers Association (CTA) my wife fought as a teacher - fear this initiative because it ends automatic deduction of political dues from the wages of public employees, and makes political contributions by employees entirely voluntary.

Prop 33 - Yes
We've voted on this concept before. I still believe drivers who earn discounts for consistent coverage should be able to keep it when switching insurers. I'm all in favor of common sense insurance reform.

Prop 34 - No
This is actually a big one. Executions are few and far between in California, but having the ultimate punishment available still serves a valid purpose - even in Californistan.

Prop 35 - Yes
Approving Prop 35 would see that proceeds from fines would be used for law enforcement training and victim services, as well as harsher penalties and longer terms for those convicted. Also, state law would conform to federal law in trafficking cases involving minors, no longer forcing prosecutors to show force or coercion. Absolutely yes.

Prop 36 - No
This prop revises current "three strikes" law to impose life sentence only when the third felony is serious or violent, and authorizes re-sentencing for offenders currently serving life sentences if their third strike conviction was not serious or violent and the judge determines sentence does not pose unreasonable risk to public safety. Nah.

Prop 37 - No
The idea sounds like a no-brainer, but there's more to it. This would create yet another haven for frivolous lawsuits and - contrary to popular belief - "... is not stricter food regulation".

Prop 38 - No
I concur with the Ventura County Taxpayers Association that "This measure has all the negatives of prop 30 with all the disadvantages of ballot box budgeting (it never works). This is a bad idea dressed up in good intentions. California may need more revenue and schools are in terrible shape but higher tax rates are not the solution. What's needed is a growing economy. What's needed is a change in viewpoint by our legislature. What's needed is a change in decision making or a change in decision makers."

Prop 39 - No
I also agree with the VCTA that "There may be a good argument to revise the current tax formula for corporations doing business in California. But if that new formula resulted in increased revenue then (a) the additional revenue should go toward reducing debt and balancing the state's budget, (b) there should not be any new spending and (c) there should not be increased taxes to fund unspecified, non-economic energy projects."

Prop 40 - Yes
I think this one is going to trip up a lot of voters, so let me be clear: Yes, the new California Senate district maps drawn by a citizens panel are flawed, but the job should not be returned to legislators. But yes, we want to uphold the current districts. Voting "No" would mean we want to throw out the current districts and have them redrawn by court-appointed officials instead of the citizens' commission. That's the key. So, "Yes" on 40.