A recent front page of the Sunday Press Herald makes me wonder just how much thought we, the public, give to the problems the Veterans Affairs Department has in hiring doctors.

Joining the VA instead of a private practice has never been a top priority for the doctors I’ve known over the years.

Today there is a shortage of newly graduated doctors clamoring to be hired, especially in the rural parts of the country.

I have heard stories of new graduates who list the days and hours they are willing to work and insist that these be specified in their contract before they would accept a job at a facility.

As a World War II veteran, I have found the VA in the overall to be exceptionally efficient and caring. I’ve seen many of their doctors in New Jersey and Maine over the years and apply this general description to all of them.

In most organizations (large and small) that I have worked with, there have been people who try to work the system to their advantage.

This is true, too, in the VA. There are veterans who work it for everything they can get above and beyond what they might be entitled to.

I am sure there are also employees who fit this picture, but for an organization of this magnitude, it boggles the mind to see the efficiency and dedication that does exist.

I found it surprising that our governor asked to join other governors in an investigation of the VA.

This is the same governor whose investigative team checked out the Alexander Group. This firm apparently works on the philosophy of “Tell us the results you want and we’ll supply you with whatever facts you need to come to that conclusion.”

This is the same governor whose Department of Health and Human Services has given millions of dollars and apparently is about to give even more to a contractor to drive the needy to medical appointments, even after the contract has been terminated for poor performance.

Who supervised and OK’d these acts of genius?

Al Burk

Bridgton

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