Corruption In Congress and Medicine

Good day, good people.

For devotees of the English language: Derogate is to reduce the value of something.

Where is the national outrage against the corruption which derogates two of the most important organizations in the lives of every American — Congress and medicine?

“On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And Vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But Conscience asks the question, “Is it right?” And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Conscience tells me it is not right for our society to have to react to crisis, but to prevent it and from a purely monetary standpoint less expensive, too. And we can start by taking the conflict of interest out of Congress and medicine, two organizations which engage in the most egregious misconduct — bribery. Why is a moral sense, conscience, losing to money on every occasion and situation?
Does anyone really believe the lobbyists and special interests which make campaign contributions to politicians, corrupticians, are making these contributions for good government and for the benefit of the American people? Lobbyists, special interests, major contributors and corporations give because they want and get what they pay for from corrupticians whom have their palms up and extended forward. Does anyone believe the money received by corrupticians from Super Political Action Committees, Super PACs, Social Welfare Organizations 501(c)(4)s, bundlers, other undisclosed contributors and other perquisites provided do not influence the voting of the members of Congress. Earmarks by members of Congress should also be included and eliminated. As an example, the infamous “Bridge to Nowhere” proposed by the former senator from Alaska, Ted Stevens, comes to mind. It benefited no one but him and his donors.

If a member of Congress participates in or votes for legislation in which he or she has received money which legislation benefits the donor or donors but does not benefit the majority of the American people the member has betrayed the American people — treason.

Where are the statesman and stateswomen when you need them? I am optimistic: integrity and impartial concern for the public good has got to be in someone somewhere, because I do see too many millionaires in Congress at this time who are not disinterested. Members of Congress and diapers should be changed frequently and for the same reason.

Karl Rove created American Crossroads, a 501(c)(4) to continue to manipulate elections without rules. He wishes for a unitary presidency — not a democracy but an oligarchy. He and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a cabal of corporate barons, and other CEOs whom want major corporations to control our elections and our government — a shift to fascism. Rove plans to amass millions from companies which will make secret donations, and spend the money to influence elections and buy candidates who will act on behalf of their masters, major corporations and their deregulatory policies. Karl is the same Rove who told George W. Bush in 2003 he could not be re-elected without a war. And, this is why the U.S. went to war illegally in Iraq with a total disregard for the murder of our military personnel, the military personnel of Iraq and civilians.

Vincent Bugliosi has written a well-written and documented book, The Prosecution of George W. Bush For Murder. It indicts and puts Bush on trial in an American court for going to war in Iraq under false pretenses, illegally, and for the murder of over 4,000 of our military personnel and over 100,000 innocent Iraqi men women and children. When are he and his cabal going to be prosecuted?

The Obama administration wants to make a contribution to the betterment of our society by curtailing the blatant dishonesty of the pharmaceutical companies and doctors whom are engaged in misconduct — conflicts of interest, receiving bribes. This obviously would not have been necessary if the companies and the doctors had a moral sense. The administration wants to require the drug companies to disclose the payments paid to doctors for research, consulting, speaking engagements, travel and entertainment. But by the time the special interests, the pharmaceutical companies, lobbyists and others get through gutting the legislation, Congress will be in a cauldron, and there will be more holes in the legislation than a colander which will allow the sleaze to continue to go through as usual. No legislation can compete with the imagination of the human being. If there is a dollar to be made, I am sure the corrupters in the pharmaceutical companies will figure out a way to do business as usual with the willing — the doctors with palms up and extended forward. Maybe the corrupters will switch to giving bribes through a Social Welfare Organization 501(c)(4) in which the donors will be secret.

Allan Coukell is a pharmacist and a consumer advocate at the Pew Charitable Trusts. He said, “Patients want to know they are getting treatment based on medical evidence, not a lunch or a financial relationship.” This includes, but is not limited to, doctors receiving free vacations for themselves and their families and other expensive perquisites depending on what and how much the doctor has and can deliver in exchange to the corruptors.

The medical profession does not engage in preventive medicine, because there is no money to be made by keeping people healthy and preventing them from becoming ill. Medical schools give nutrition short shrift.

What is your thought on the corruption in Congress and the medical profession?

Contacting me with comments and constructive criticisms with honesty and pleasantness, their constant companions, will always be welcome.