One Hopeless Bad Idea

Go tell the One to shove it up where the sun doesn't shine of whatever beaurocrat that thought it up.

And he better Hope that no one traces this idea to his Change.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance.

But the proposal would be "dead on arrival" if it's sent to Congress, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, said.

Murray used that blunt terminology when she told Shinseki that the idea would not be acceptable and would be rejected if formally proposed. Her remarks came during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs about the 2010 budget.

No official proposal to create such a program has been announced publicly, but veterans groups wrote a pre-emptive letter last week to President Obama voicing their opposition to the idea after hearing the plan was under consideration.

The groups also cited an increase in "third-party collections" estimated in the 2010 budget proposal -- something they said could be achieved only if the Veterans Administration started billing for service-related injuries.

Asked about the proposal, Shinseki said it was under "consideration..."

Why don't you just go ahead and lick that Third Rail, Mr. Hopeful Audacity? Yes indeed, this is exactly the kind of thing that made America hate Bu$hCo and Darth Rumsfeld. You just continue to listen to Robert Gates and see where it gets you.