This Date in Bush History 12/22: Screw the Sick! (& falling troop support)

[BlueButGlad2]

On this Date in Bush History 12/22: Screw the Sick!

2004: Newspapers today cover yesterday's release of a Bush administration report on the importation of medicines from countries like Canada. The report was requested by Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Not surprisingly, the Bush report throws cold water on the views of those who see imported drugs as a way of reducing the high costs of drugs for taxpayers and U.S. consumers. The pharmaceutical industry was pleased, saying the Bush report "substantiates" their views. Of course it does. The drug industry contributed $2.2 million to President Bush's two White House runs. A Congressional Budget Office study found that brand name drugs in other industrialized countries were 35 to 55 percent cheaper than what U.S. consumers pay. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is quoted in a CBS/AP story, commenting on the refusal of Bush’s FDA to allow Canadian importation. Blagojevich says, "I can't quite understand the FDA's concern. They don't work for the drug companies or the high-priced lobbyists. They work for people, just like we do". Blagojevich estimates that Illinois could save $90 million by buying drugs from Canada. Taxpayers might like that, consumers might like that, the sick and seniors might love that, but the drug companies would not. When it comes to helping the public vs. protecting drug company profits by blocking Canadian competition, it is no surprise which side the president chooses. Independent Representative Bernie Sanders (VT) said: "We are sick and tired of the American people being taken for fools. The pharmaceutical industry has bought off the White House".

2006: The questioning of military members ends today for the annual Military Times poll. The poll will show that more military members disapprove (42%) than approve (35%) of the president's handling of the Iraq war. Only a minority (41%) support Bush's decision to go to war. As to the president's claim that the Iraq war is part of the war on terror, 47% believed that this was true while another 47% did not, with the remainder undecided. Most of those polled (66%) had served in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Excerpted from the 2008 Bush Calendar: http://www.PoorGeorgesAlmanac.com/onThisDate.htm

[rodeodance]

1. and now we find many Ingrediants for common drugs come from china.--little uproar, business as usual