[snopercod]

Where is the outrage on Free Republic?

[.cnI redruM]

I've tried. Every article I post on this abomination comes with the caption (I see stupid people!!!)

[newgeezer]

Where is the outrage on Free Republic?

Preoccupied with weightier issues, such as the return of Rush and the coronation of R-nold. ;O)

Only the ultra-"whacko" fringe conservatives on the Hill are taking a Constitutional stand, while mere "right-wing conservatives" such as Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Finance Cmte. chair are pushing it through to completion. That's sad. The end is surely near.

[Principled]

Where is the outrage on Free Republic?

Here's some right here.

ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE SOCIALISM!

End the income tax and end socialism. FInd out how changing the method of tax collection can change the way government spends. Spend four minutes looking at HR 25/SB 1493 - a national retail sales tax FAQ

[truthingod]

Here's some outrage! It doesn't matter what kind of bill they pass, it will not be any good for anybody. It will cost a fortune because we are already being gouged by the drug companies for the price of medication. That is why border states to Canada pose such a threat to them. They are seeking alternatives to the current situation and that is what we must be asking Washington for-not more spending on an outrageous system.

[grania]

It's funny that, at a time of growing concern over soaring government spending and rising deficits, both parties seem ready to embrace a new entitlement that will make spending and deficits even bigger.

The factor that isn't mentioned is that it probably won't even lower drug costs. What happens whenever there's an entitlement to help with costs, whether it's education, medicine, housing, or anything you can think of? Well, the price goes up, because people are used to paying what they paid, and they'll be less likely to question cost or the need for drugs.

At a time when there was tremendous pressure on the pharmaceutical companies to be more reasonable with prices, and business going to Canada for lower costs (funny, isn't it...globalism doesn't happen when it cuts into corporate markups?), the government is going to ease that pressure with this subsidy.

The other thing it does is to make natural medications less desirable. There isn't any subsidy on them, very few doctors recommend them, they're under constant pressure for "saftety", and they're much cheaper that pharmaceuticals. I just hope the government keeps out of the herbal and vitamin supplement industry. Consumers are better off without the "help" it would bring.