Obama and the Pharma companies have pissed all over American democracy

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

by Robert Reich

The White House ... 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.

...

Any bonanza for the drug industry means higher health-care costs for the rest of us.

...

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.

...

It's bad enough when industry lobbyists extract concessions from members of Congress, which happens all the time. But when an industry gets ... concessions out of the White House in return for a promise to lend the industry's support to a key piece of legislation, we're in big trouble. That's called extortion: An industry is using its capacity to threaten or prevent legislation as a means of altering that legislation for its own benefit.

...

Perhaps the White House deal with Big Pharma is a necessary step to get anything resembling universal health insurance. But if that's the case, our democracy is in terrible shape. How soon until big industries and their Washington lobbyists have become so politically powerful that secret White House-industry deals like this are prerequisites to any important legislation? ... Democrats and progressives who might be reading this should ask themselves how they'll feel when a Republican White House cuts such deals to advance its own legislative priorities.

We're on a precarious road -- and wherever it leads, it's not toward democracy.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/...s-deal-with.php

Edited August 10, 2009 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[natty bumppo 297]

by Robert Reich

The White House ... 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.

...

Any bonanza for the drug industry means higher health-care costs for the rest of us.

...

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.

...

It's bad enough when industry lobbyists extract concessions from members of Congress, which happens all the time. But when an industry gets ... concessions out of the White House in return for a promise to lend the industry's support to a key piece of legislation, we're in big trouble. That's called extortion: An industry is using its capacity to threaten or prevent legislation as a means of altering that legislation for its own benefit.

...

Perhaps the White House deal with Big Pharma is a necessary step to get anything resembling universal health insurance. But if that's the case, our democracy is in terrible shape. How soon until big industries and their Washington lobbyists have become so politically powerful that secret White House-industry deals like this are prerequisites to any important legislation? ... Democrats and progressives who might be reading this should ask themselves how they'll feel when a Republican White House cuts such deals to advance its own legislative priorities.

We're on a precarious road -- and wherever it leads, it's not toward democracy.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/...s-deal-with.php

obama ... did he just spread his cheeks for big pharma?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

by Robert Reich

The White House ... 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.

obama ... did he just spread his cheeks for big pharma?

Some things cut across party lines. Sad.

Edited August 10, 2009 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Shocked! I am just shocked! When are we finally going to see the Commie I voted for!

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

by Robert Reich

The White House ... 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.

obama ... did he just spread his cheeks for big pharma?

Some things cut across party lines. Sad.

so kinda like those saying bush was big oil, obama is big pharma?

[natty bumppo 297]

by Robert Reich

The White House ... 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.

obama ... did he just spread his cheeks for big pharma?

Some things cut across party lines. Sad.

since he did the deed ... wonder if he offered change?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

by Robert Reich

The White House ... 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.

obama ... did he just spread his cheeks for big pharma?

Some things cut across party lines. Sad.

so kinda like those saying bush was big oil, obama is big pharma?

Bush cut the same kind of deal with big pharma. It would seem they own both parties.

[natty bumppo 297]

by Robert Reich

The White House ... 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.

obama ... did he just spread his cheeks for big pharma?

Some things cut across party lines. Sad.

so kinda like those saying bush was big oil, obama is big pharma?

Bush cut the same kind of deal with big pharma. It would seem they own both parties.

obama want a retirement nest egg ... he knows how to get one

[thepizzadude 26]

How soon until big industries and their Washington lobbyists have become so politically powerful that secret White House-industry deals like this are prerequisites to any important legislation?

Wonder if this writer/author has been under a rock for the past 40 years or so

[mRx 16]

He's just returning favors. Politicians who forget their friends don't stay politicians for long.

Can't knock the man for that.

[William33 110]

He's just returning favors. Politicians who forget their friends don't stay politicians for long.

Can't knock the man for that.

How true indeed!!!

Sucks to be a politician.....

[natty bumppo 297]

He's just returning favors. Politicians who forget their friends don't stay politicians for long.

Can't knock the man for that.

How true indeed!!!

Sucks to be a politician.....

especially one who told the world he was about change ....

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Take the time to read the comments on the OP link. More than a few level heads figured it out.

We have a crippled democracy, corporations, campaign contributors, in short the wealthy elite buy and select our elected representatives, and indeed have horrific ability to affect legislation. Stupidly the OP makes like this could be true, it is true.

But... Obama could not move against both big insurance, and big pharma, and went with big pharma as an ally to get further on the path towards a rational, single payer system. Under estimate the man, and his staff at your peril, because he is incredibly shrewd in my opinion.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Take the time to read the comments on the OP link. More than a few level heads figured it out.

Level head? Seriously?

we should have never completely defanged the mob and decoupled them from organized labor. Poverty is a form of violence. None of this would be going on if the plutocrats were worried about some of the voilence they are inflicting on the American people might be thrown back at them. Last week we came full circle, and some women in Oregon called up and threatened a Union with violence.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Take the time to read the comments on the OP link. More than a few level heads figured it out.

Level head? Seriously?

we should have never completely defanged the mob and decoupled them from organized labor. Poverty is a form of violence. None of this would be going on if the plutocrats were worried about some of the voilence they are inflicting on the American people might be thrown back at them. Last week we came full circle, and some women in Oregon called up and threatened a Union with violence.

Not all the comments were level headed!

But Obama and company seem to be managing to get things done, granted those who thought he would change everything instantly to the ultra-left are disappointed, but the reality is, write the man off at your peril, Obama is getting things done!