Nope; the resident-in-chief is not a wheeling-dealing-snake-oil-saleman. Still think that there is a difference between the dems and pubs? Still think there is a two party system at work here?
How the White House’s Deal With Big Pharma Undermines Democracy
I’m a strong supporter of universal health insurance, and a fan of the Obama administration. But I’m appalled by the deal the White House has made with the pharmaceutical industry’s lobbying arm to buy their support.
Last week, after being reported in the Los Angeles Times, the White House confirmed it has promised Big Pharma that any healthcare legislation will bar the government from using its huge purchasing power to negotiate lower drug prices. That’s basically the same deal George W. Bush struck in getting the Medicare drug benefit, and it’s proven a bonanza for the drug industry. A continuation will be an even larger bonanza, given all the Boomers who will be enrolling in Medicare over the next decade. And it will be a gold mine if the deal extends to Medicaid, which will be expanded under most versions of the healthcare bills now emerging from Congress, and to any public option that might be included. (We don’t know how far the deal extends beyond Medicare because its details haven’t been made public.) Let me remind you: Any bonanza for the drug industry means higher health-care costs for the rest of us, which is one reason why critics of the emerging healthcare plans, including the Congressional Budget Office, are so worried about their failure to adequately stem future healthcare costs. To be sure, as part of its deal with the White House, Big Pharma apparently has promised to cut future drug costs by $80 billion. But neither the industry nor the White House nor any congressional committee has announced exactly where the $80 billion in savings will show up nor how this portion of the deal will be enforced. In any event, you can bet that the bonanza Big Pharma will reap far exceeds $80 billion. Otherwise, why would it have agreed?
In return, Big Pharma isn’t just supporting universal health care. It’s also spending a lots of money on TV and radio advertising in support. Sunday’s New York Times reports that Big Pharma has budgeted $150 million for TV ads promoting universal health insurance, starting this August (that’s more money than John McCain spent on TV advertising in last year’s presidential campaign), after having already spent a bundle through advocacy groups like Healthy Economies Now and Families USA.
Here is a radio interview from 8.11.09 on Air America of all places between radio host Christiane Brown and investigative reporter Greg Palast.
We don’t looks so silly with our tinfoil hats anymore, do we Mr. Palast. Yet still, he supports the fascist regime. Ugh!
Hey Kids – go here now:
http://patriotroom.com/article/video-ordering-a-pizza-after-our-privacy-is-gone
Will the REAL HHS Secretary please stand up?
http://sweetness-light.com/archive/obama-meets-with-lobbyist-daschle
Diamond… ok… that seriously reminded me of that one scene in the movie “Live Free of Die Hard.”
Whoops…. …. all out… gotta go buy some more duct tape!
From Dug’s link:
<blockquote.But Daschle is also working closely with lobbyists, through his job at the Alston and Bird law firm, as an adviser to United Health Group, one of the nation’s largest insurance companies. The insurance industry opposes the public option.
White House aides said that Daschle’s corporate work does not present a conflict of interest and that Obama counts the former Senate leader as a confidant. "The president knows and expects that, when he asks Senator Daschle a question, that he’s getting the opinion of Senator Daschle and not anybody else," press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
RRRRRRROOOOOOOOFFFFFFFFLLLLLLLLL!
Two wings of the same vulture. That’s it….I’m buying stock in duct tape and tin foil!
What I would like to know is how in the heck is Daschle worth $20,000 for one speaking engagement? I heard a while back about his book on health care and how scary it was. I have tried to find it. I knew just because he had to back away from being Sec. of HH he would still be getting his health care. I thought it all along. Between him and Emanuel the doctor they are very frightening people. I just want to choke all of those people who voted for BO.
DT, thanks for that video of the guy ordering the pizza. That is very good. They already know too much about us. I googled(only I didn’t use Google) my name the other day. I’ve done that before and gotten nothing. This time there was a a whole page of me making “comments” against Obama. So I guess they have my number.
Remember that I always say that what is currently in the news cycle is not the target or real issue?
Mark Steyn pretty much sums it up in this:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NTVlMjkwZmNlNDNhZGYxMDFjMDkyZDRiNDY1ZmQzZWI=&w=MA==
This administration has constructed a huge WMD on the U.S. economy and the timer is ticking. I have never been an alarmist, but I am a student of economics and history.
Folks, we are running out of time. We need to STOP this nonsensical discussion on healthcare… we can’t afford it anyway. We need to repeal every bit of this so-called “stimulus,” demand an accounting of the bailout money, and start implementing tax policy that actually grows the private sector and reduces unemployment.
Fortunately, I just bought a new case of duct tape… so I’m set for a few more days.
Time for a little inspiration: h/t Hot Air
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/08/22/video-marine-goes-nuclear-on-democrat-over-obamacare/
are you guys ready for this? Dug will get it 2 paragraphs in.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/sardi/sardi116.html
Wow…I thought Obugger promised to end dealings with lobbyists.
Diamond… yeah… I’ve seen some similar reports from other sources.
As he states, the question is… what will people do? It’s amazing to me just how out of touch the vast majority of Americans are with the inner workings of finance and the economy.
I have been saying to my circle of friends for months now that whatever spare money they have to invest, they would do well to quietly invest in small denomination silver or gold (of which you take possession) because of what I think will be the coming hyperinflation caused by the government printing all this fiat money. That’s basically a hedge on your other investments that would probably tank in value because of the inflation. But, this kind of financial panic is an equally compelling reason.
I have also been saying to stock up on non-perishable food stores, power/fuel sources, and firearms/ammo… as well as alternate forms of shelter and communications. You also need to have basic, practical skills. Essentially, you need to be self-sustaining for as long as you possibly can. Many of the aforementioned items are also mediums of exchange in a barter economy. Think basics… shelter, food, clothing, protection. People should be doing this anyway in case of natural disasters or terrorist threat.
People underestimate just how fragile our system is now. There is a big difference between now and the 1930s (during the Great Depression). In the 1930s, most of the country:
1. still lived in rural areas, not big cities
2. still grew or raised a good portion of their own food supply
3. were not as reliant on a central banking system
4. were not as reliant on an intricate web of distribution for goods
In other words, they were MUCH less reliant on “the system.” The other big difference is… it took quite awhile for news to travel across the country. Anything like a financial panic was slower moving. In today’s world, with instant communication, news travels much faster… and oftentimes it is inaccurate.
Again… I’m not really an alarmist. But, I volunteer with emergency communications in my community during disasters and I have seen first-hand how people deal with natural disasters, like hurricanes for example. Depending on the severity… it can be shocking.
One final bit of advice… once you get yourself setup. Test it out by actually living that way for a few days. That’s the only way you will find out if you missed something. Also have a way to get a hold of a relative or friend outside your area that does not involve the internet, cell phones, and possibly landlines… get to know a ham radio operator or become one yourself.
Well…that pretty much contradicts all that squawking about Big Pharma opposing Obamacare, wouldn’t it…
The DJ referring to Obama as “charming” even though he is a “liar” is EXACTLY how this man got elected. She bought his whole snake-oil act, and still won’t believe her own eyes/ears. It would be simply pathetic if it didn’t affect all the rest of us!!!
Dug had it right:
“In other words, they were MUCH less reliant on “the system.” The other big difference is… it took quite awhile for news to travel across the country. Anything like a financial panic was slower moving. In today’s world, with instant communication, news travels much faster… and oftentimes it is inaccurate.”
Another point to take in, back in those days people were much more polite and helpful towards each other. Today people are so cynical, rude, and self centered. Things will be much different in this “Greatest Depression”. Everyone will be much more “out for themselves” and things will get very bad very quickly. I sure pray that all of the Monster’s readers will be the ones that are prepared in every way, even for this unprecedented level of rioting, and able to escape to safer places with the necessary stores, and ready to defend what is theirs by any means.