During the last 3 months the pharmaceutical industry spent 70 million to influence politicians. I know the Supreme Court said that was free speech but it looks a lot like bribery to me.

Originally Posted by Guest

During the last 3 months the pharmaceutical industry spent 70 million to influence politicians. I know the Supreme Court said that was free speech but it looks a lot like bribery to me.

Thanks for this. It caused me to do a bit of investigating on this and it is quite a read.

As someone who criticizes Trump, let me say....my reading thus far, and I continue to read more....this is an opportunity to perhaps do something.

It appears that both parties have an interest in lowering drug prices and much of this lobbying money is being spent to keep the status quo.

It is a great chance for BIPARTISAN work to be done. What I read is that both parties are a bit confused about where Trump is on this issue. That is not meant to criticize...it simply means his statements seem populace in nature but his appointments are on a different level and sends a confusing message.

I will leave these three links for anyone who is interested, but thanks to the OP for starting a great thread.

This from the last link....

"One issue where most Americans – 76 percent of them – find common ground is the high price of prescription drugs. President Donald Trump campaigned on the issue and since his inauguration repeatedly has promised to bring drug prices down. Most Democrats and many Republicans in Congress agree. So why has nothing happened?

In a word, money. Hundreds of millions of the dollars that Americans spend on drugs find their way into campaign funds and lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. In the past decade, the pharmaceutical industry has spent more than $2.5 billion lobbying Congress. Opensecrets.org reports that in 2016, the industry spent $245 million on lobbyists; the next biggest industry sector, insurance, spent nearly $100 million less.

Read more here: In Washington, everyone is for lower drug prices, but only in theory | Myrtle Beach Sun News
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/h...he-others.html

https://www.wired.com/story/fighting-high-drug-prices/

Originally Posted by Guest

Thanks for this. It caused me to do a bit of investigating on this and it is quite a read.

As someone who criticizes Trump, let me say....my reading thus far, and I continue to read more....this is an opportunity to perhaps do something.

It appears that both parties have an interest in lowering drug prices and much of this lobbying money is being spent to keep the status quo.

It is a great chance for BIPARTISAN work to be done. What I read is that both parties are a bit confused about where Trump is on this issue. That is not meant to criticize...it simply means his statements seem populace in nature but his appointments are on a different level and sends a confusing message.

I will leave these three links for anyone who is interested, but thanks to the OP for starting a great thread.

This from the last link....

"One issue where most Americans – 76 percent of them – find common ground is the high price of prescription drugs. President Donald Trump campaigned on the issue and since his inauguration repeatedly has promised to bring drug prices down. Most Democrats and many Republicans in Congress agree. So why has nothing happened?

In a word, money. Hundreds of millions of the dollars that Americans spend on drugs find their way into campaign funds and lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. In the past decade, the pharmaceutical industry has spent more than $2.5 billion lobbying Congress. Opensecrets.org reports that in 2016, the industry spent $245 million on lobbyists; the next biggest industry sector, insurance, spent nearly $100 million less.

Read more here: In Washington, everyone is for lower drug prices, but only in theory | Myrtle Beach Sun News
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/h...he-others.html

https://www.wired.com/story/fighting-high-drug-prices/

When you realize that the corporations own the government...they PLACE people into key positions...you'll realize why things are why they are.

Originally Posted by Guest

During the last 3 months the pharmaceutical industry spent 70 million to influence politicians. I know the Supreme Court said that was free speech but it looks a lot like bribery to me.

Are you referencing an article or just shooting from the hip? It's always nice when the OP supplies a reference to their opinion.