Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Be afraid, be very afraid.

I am very happy for Vice President Biden. The Senate passed his moon shot to end cancer. That was admirable for everyone involved and a wonderful recognition of the Vice President and his long years in governance. He had to be one of the greatest moments in his life. 

But, true to form, within this enormously wonderful gesture is the dummying down of the FDA.

December 7, 2016
By Beth Mole

Today, Senators overwhelmingly (click here) passed the massive 21st Century Cures Act with a 94-to-5 vote.

The $6.3 billion, nearly 1,000-page (PDF) health legislation has been in the works since 2014 and spans far-flung issues. One of the bill’s central and most controversial aims is to relax and accelerate the Food and Drug Administration’s drug approval process, which backers argue will usher new, life-saving treatments to patients faster. The bill is also designed to simplify research grants and policy, make mental health a national priority, bolster monitoring of drug-resistant bacteria, provide states with funding to fight the opioid crisis, and support three Obama-era research initiatives, including Vice President Biden’s cancer moonshot....

...Still, not everyone is happy about the political slam dunk. Some Democrats and watchdog groups fear that the legislation will tie the FDA’s hands, allowing pharmaceutical and medical device companies to hustle dangerous and feeble treatments into doctor’s offices and hospitals.
“The legislation includes a grab bag of goodies for Big Pharma and medical device companies that would undermine requirements for ensuring safe and effective drugs and medical devices,” Michael Carome, director of the Public Citizen’s health research group, said in a statement.
Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) shared similar concerns. In a statement, Sanders said, “The greed of the pharmaceutical industry has no limit, and this bill includes numerous corporate giveaways that will make drug companies even richer.”...
I think now is the time to begin planning the elections of 2020. The Democrats need to put more people in Congress. The US House has to be weighted to be able in intercede with absolutely crazy ideas. There will be many. Now is the best time to take on the challenge of returning the government to the people rather than a madman's idea of what is best for the world and country, albeit, hidden in hubris and vengeful statements who challenge his new authority.

I remember when "W" came into office, there was an Op-Ed by Nicholas Kristoff that boiled down to "Honey gets you more than vinegar." It was a message, no matter how veiled it might have been, that the new "W" administration would make life difficult for those with opposition to his administration. It was "W"rong of Mr. Kristoff, a magnificently prepared journalist with an education that is unchallenged, as it is today for anyone to wave the white flag in hopes of better treatment. There is no such thing as surrender to allowing such dense hubris to exist as if reality. That is what happened in Iraq. The number of people that have died in the middle east since the inauguration of George W. Bush clearly indicates the price of opposing such leadership brings a very high price. 

I don't care if Mr. Trump attempts to destroy this country by destroying the law. That is treason. If Mr. Trump does nothing but hand out incompetency and lies that is grounds for impeachment. And if none of that holds water, then there is misery for Mr. Trump and his administration every day of their power brokering. I will enjoy every moment.


President-elect Donald Trump’s (click here) transition team is considering a Silicon Valley investor close to billionaire Peter Thiel to head the Food and Drug Administration, according to people familiar with the matter.
Jim O’Neill, the Thiel associate, hasn’t been officially selected, according to the people, who asked to remain anonymous because the decision process is private, and the Trump team could still go in another direction.

O’Neill is a managing director at Thiel’s Mithril Capital Management, and last served in government during the George W. Bush administration as principal associate deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services. He’s also a board member of the Seasteading Institute, a Thiel-backed venture to create new societies at sea, away from existing governments....
Another unqualified Wall Street opportunist at the FDA. Mr. Thiel is a philosopher by education and then became a lawyer. I suppose there is a lot to be said about an attorney that philosophizes the law rather than practice it.

He ranks #246 of the Fortune 400 and stated to be worth $2.7 billion. I believe he sold PayPal to E-Bay. (click here) PayPal was investigated by AGs around the country for it's role in online gaming.

Last time the FDA was under attack it was under "W" and it resulted in a Whistle Blower coming forward about the mischief that was a threat to the public's well being. So, be prepared. There will be headlines coming forward that will provide insight to the insanity of the Trump White House. Besides being interesting it will prove further that the American people are not at the heart of the Republican Party.