COViD-19 or "coronavirus" as it is more colloquially known is the latest deadly disease threatening to spread out of control in our ever more populated and interconnected world. While it is unclear at this point if this particular disease will get truly out of control, or exactly how deadly a pandemic such an event would be, the mere possibility has revealed significant cracks in our manufacturing, supply chains and healthcare systems just to name a few.
The challenges America faces in fighting disease outbreaks are unique in the developed world, because we are the only country not to have a universal healthcare system in place. Our system, which relies on profit motive, is in fundamental tension with the goals of a healthy society in general, and most especially, effective prevention of disease. This could not have been demonstrated more starkly than last week when acting HHS Secretary Alex Azar testified before congress, that he could not guarantee COViD-19 vaccines would be affordable to everyone!
Actions like this are not only absurd from a medical perspective, they are also wildly out of step with the American people's thoughts. This is likely why the Trump administrations approval in handling the coronavirus has dropped 12 points in just one month! The American people want the government to intervene when necessary to protect them, and especially to make sure the medicines they need are affordable.
"Do you think government regulation of prescription drug prices is a good idea or a bad idea?"
Good Idea: 67%
Instead of doing the right thing at this critical moment, and ensuring vaccines, whenever they are eventually ready, are available to everyone no matter their financial situation, the Trump administration has decided to once again enable profit from human misery.
While universal healthcare programs like medicare for all would clearly address this issue most effectively, there are plenty of smaller, more targeted pieces of legislation that even moderate, timid politicians could safely support, and save thousands of lives in the process, not just during moments of crisis, but also for the diabetic who no longer has to stretch his or her insulin, the person not having to choose between filling out a prescription and paying the bills, and so many others.
Failures of our government to act on even such targeted and popular policies demonstrate with startling clarity just how widespread the subversion of democracy has spread. Of course many of these politicians aren’t just apathetic or ignorant on the crisis around prescription drug pricing in America, they are bought off by hefty "donations" from the pharmaceutical industry and other powerful and amoral businesses, and special interest groups who vehemently oppose policies created for, and supported by, the American people.
If we do nothing, the daily suffering will continue, and the risk of catastrophe from a pandemic only grow. We must bring democratic representation back to America and make a government by, of and for all of us, that respects human life and dignity, and agrees with the overwhelming majority of Americans, that medicines should be affordable! To do that we will need to put pressure on all our representatives through a broad and enduring movement of people, demanding change. Don’t miss this chance to change our country for the better. Join us every Tuesday, in growing solidarity and power until we take back our democracy from amoral special interests, and greedy politicians: Don't Shop on Tuesdays! ________________________________________________ Let friends and families, let them know about this growing movement, and how they can help us take back our democracy if they Don't Shop on Tuesdays! Send their email address to boycottforourdemocracy@gmail.com
Comments