It takes money to watch money

04/10/2008

The Free Press - Mankato
April 10, 2008


It’s the kind of news that makes American taxpayers steam.

Veterans Affairs Department staffers used government credit cards to charge things at Sharper Image and other high-end specialty stores. They spent more at luxury hotels such as Wyndham in places such as San Diego, Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas.

The apparent fraud and abuse was unveiled in an investigation by The Associated Press which, through a Freedom of Information request, obtained the VA list of 3.1 million purchases made in the 2007 budget year.

Americans expect their government agencies to be good stewards of their hard-earned tax money. News of government waste, abuse and luxurious spending in hard economic times is especially disturbing to taxpayers, who are having their own difficulties in making ends meet.

Unfortunately, the office that can best monitor and protect against VA waste is the one facing budget cuts.

President Bush has proposed a budget for the Inspector General’s Office of $76 million next year, a $4 million reduction. The president also wants a 10 percent staff reduction in the office.

The inspector general is an independent entity that evaluates VA programs and operations, including how health care is delivered to veterans. With a $90 billion budget, there is plenty to monitor in the VA.

The proposed reductions are counterproductive. The inspector general ensures that taxpayer money is well spent and that veterans receive good health care.

Slashing the department’s funding at a time when more demand is being put on the VA services is irresponsible and will likely end up costing taxpayers more in undiscovered waste and fraud.