Everyone needs to take a more realistic look at this.  We live in a free
capitalistic society both in the US and Canada.  The way we improve the
standard of living for all of our society and much of the rest of the world
is through economic incentives.  Along the way we try not to provide
incentives that take away from the least blessed in our society and for the
most part it does work.

We in the US are quite well off.  Most of the very costly drug research is
done by the drug companies because they can reap rewards that are great
enough to balance the risk.  By the way, when they reap those rewards they
pay taxes that are huge.  Those taxes sometimes go to fund government
research that provides basic information that the drug companies take, add
their own money and research to, and develop new drugs that benefit all
mankind.  Now here comes the hard part for you to accept...  If we in the US
do not pay for this there will be few if any new drugs.  We are the first to
benefit.  We have the safest drug industry.  We have the safest food supply.
We have the best medical care.  We have the best doctors.  We have lower per
capita taxes then most.  We have the highest standard of living in the
world... (by the way you may be able to name some small country that has it
better but when you look at the countries wealth you will find it is derived
from outside and not self sustaining).

Once a drug is sold in the US, and it proves safe for the world, we export
it in the hope that other countries will provide some additional economic
benefit to offset the research cost.  This benefits all mankind.  If those
drugs were sold in the US at the same low cost as they are sold in some
other countries then they would not generate enough money to offset the R&D
cost.  They would not exist.  The world would not benefit.

Now we have a bill that does provide benefits.  It is not pathetic.  Instead
of making false claims that there is nothing there why don't you provide an
objective summary of the benefits that people on this list can take
advantage of.  That would be a true aid to all.  The entire congress,
Republicans and Democrats alike worked very hard to provide something that
is more than a start for all who need drug benefits.  It is expensive.  We
do not have unlimited funds.  We cannot satisfy all the needs for all the
people.  Decisions must be made on priorities.

Finally...
Politicians are not evil, though there are some evil Politicians.  Politics
form the basis by which we reach compromise and get things done for the
greater good...
Drug companies are not evil, though there some people who work for drug
companies who are greedy...
Charities are not all good or bad there are some greedy people who work for
charities...

and most important

Being stricken with Parkinson's is a tragedy no one wants to see happen to
anyone.  There are PWP's who are good and PWP's who are self centered like
the many others in the world.  There are PWP's who believe the world
revolves around them and their situation and others who try their hardest to
give back to the world and society what they have been blessed with in their
lives.  There are those that are passively accepting and those that fight
back.

You must strive to make the most of every moment not dwell on the good
fortune of others as if they are taking from you.  The $36 went to help
provide additional health care for all including those with Parkinson's.
The $6 is $6 you didn't have before.  I guarantee you some of it came from
those who work for drug companies and those who pay for drugs.  The toys,
pens, race cars and pads were made by hard working people in the US and
other countries who make a living from producing those items.  Many receive
medical benefits others receive none.  The million dollars adds pay for the
shows you watch for free.  They provide entertainment and fill the days for
many who can't move at all.

God bless the US for providing the drugs to our good neighbors to the north.
God bless the drug companies for taking the risk on doing the research.  God
bless the Canadian pharmacies for lending a helping hand back to the US.
God bless the politicians for working hard to provide us a system where
those drugs can be developed (no one else in the world has a better one).
God bless the charities for doing their part.  God bless the US taxpayers
who are footing the bill for those on Medicare and SSD.  God bless those on
this list who try to contribute in a constructive manner.

There are those who want to grow and better themselves by working hard with
all they have and helping others to do the same. Then there are others who
mistakenly believe they are growing when they cut everyone down to their
level.  I prefer to be the former any day.

Frank G. caregiver


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jo Ann Coen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 7:15 PM
Subject: Re: Canada's Internet Pharmacies Thriving On Business From U.S.


> Gail - I agree wholeheartedly.  The hilarious thing is, I received  a $48
> a month raise in my Social Security, but my Medicare went up $36, so I'll
> only see $6.  Hardeharhar.  Jo Ann
>
> On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 17:12:43 -0500 Gail Vass <[log in to unmask]> writes:
> > This is a tragedy what has happened really...drug company reps
> > come into doctors offices with samples, toys, pads, race cars, pens,
> > gifts, trips, gimmicks of all kinds to get docs to prescribe their
> > drugs.
> >
> > They profit off of what National Institutes of Health discovers
> > through
> > research, breakthroughs from the American Heart and Cancer
> > Associations,
> > March of Dimes and all other research that you and I donate to to
> > fine cures
> > for these horrible diseases
> >
> > They give parties ...run million dollar ads on TV and run glossy
> > full
> > page ads in all the fancy magazines.  The pharmaceutical lobbyists
> > on Capital Hill pay to control votes and laws controlling them with
> > party
> > donations.
> >
> > Meanwhile our most vulnerable society our chronically ill, our
> > disabled,
> > our unemployed and uninsured, or seniors must decide daily between
> > food, clothing, utilities and buying medication to relieve pain and
> > suffering.
> >
> > One drug for a disabled American with Multiple Sclerosis is $1,100 a
> > month without which they will succumb to this horrible disease
> > earlier
> > than they would have.
> >
> > To qualify for total disability  you have to be  completely unable
> > to earn
> > a living.   It takes two years on Social Security  [which can be as
> > little
> > as $400 a month...and they call this "an award" ] before you quality
> > for
> > Medicare,  which by the way has had NO drug benefit.  The "NEW"
> > medicare
> > law is so embarrassingly PATHETIC that those in need still won't get
> > any
> > help but  the Congress, Senate and White House are strutting around
> > like
> > they have done something GRAND ...believe me that have sacrificed
> > our
> > weakest......  they have sold out us all...  they have outright
> > LIED.
> >
> > So I say GOD BLESS CANADA .  God Bless those Internet Pharmacies...
> > they are booming because the pain and suffering in America is so
> > great.
> >
> > Gail Vass, R.N.
> >
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> >
>
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