'MASTER PLAN'

[Gimpy]

by the Republicans for the future of the VA!

Condensed version:

1. REMOVE DISSENT .------ Principi, Specter and Smith are gone. Those with a say in the future plans now speak with one voice. Unity is important. Say we support veterans


2. USE DEFLECTION INSTEAD OF FACT .------ When asked about under-funding at the VA, President Bush has never directly addressed the issue or answered the question. He uses deflection. Like this statement on October 13, 2004: "We've increased VA funding by $22 billion in the four years since I've been president." The dollar figure is accurate and it appears to paint a rosy picture. But it?s a number taken out of context, and does not take into account that veterans seeking healthcare have increased and medical costs have skyrocketed faster than the budget increases can handle them. Don?t worry. Just say we support veterans.

3. SAY IT AND SAY IT AND SAY IT .------If you say it enough people will accept it as the truth. This works for everything from political campaigns to advertising widgets. Just keep saying it. Say we support veterans . Then say it again. Say we support veterans .


4. GET IN LOCKSTEP .------ Make sure everyone is saying the same thing. This is only slightly removed from #1 but can only be implemented after the dissenters (Chris Smith, Arlen Specter, even former VA Chief Principi was disgusted with this adminstration) are gone from 'key' positions of possible influence. Say we support veterans .


5. FLOAT A TRIAL BALLOON .------ Once all the proper players are lined up have one of them say it out loud. The Steve Buyer statement about "disabled and indigent" veterans is a perfect example. Say we support veterans.


6. GAUGE REACTION .------ Did anybody squawk when you floated the trial balloon? Did the Senate march, en masse, into the Oval Office demanding an end to this? No? Did the veterans' groups moan and groan? They did? Don't worry about it because we'll just go back to #2 and #3 until they believe......... OK, it looks like it's going to fly. Say we support veterans.

7. REPEAT #3 WITH HELP FROM THE MEDIA . ------Get the talking points out to the talk show hosts (radio & TV)and have them beat it into the ground (especially on FOXNEWS Channel and Rush Limbaugh where the propaganda is widely utilized) Many Americans say they get their "news" from talk shows, so what better place to sell a concept that people will think is factual. Say we support veterans .


8. PROPOSE LEGISLATION AND ESTABLISH PHONEY INVESTIGATIVE COMMISSIONS .------ Use all the right phrases like "bloated bureaucracies" and "core constituents" and "intent of Congress" and "fraudulent claims". Cut the VA to the bone and wait for veterans to yell. Say we support veterans .


9. LET THEM YELL .------ Give the other side of the aisle lots of time to scream bloody murder then call them "tax and spend liberals" and move on. Let the veterans groups raise hell and tell them it is for their own good. Say we support veterans .


*DISREGARD #9 AND PASS THE LEGISLATION .------ Hey, we listened, right? Pass the bill and forget about it. Oh, yeah. Don't forget to say we support veterans .


**RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF #6 AND #9 .----- The 'plan' will work faster than you think. As they continue to dismantle the VA, they'll make sure the VA is carefully positioned through continued propaganda as a welfare program, and soon public support for more funding will fade away.

And THAT my friends is the Republican "PLAN" for the future of the VA!