I voted for him, even though he is no true conservative or libertarian. Maybe I voted for him because of Sarah Palin, I don’t know, but it was with misgivings. Now he’s done it again, to point out his love of big government. No wonder he’ll probably lose his bid for re-election in an upcoming Arizona primary, against a real conservative. His latest bill is in cooperation with a true Democrat liberal, Byron Dorgan, and is called “The Dietary Supplement Bill,” and I wish that every reader of this screed would call their Senators and tell them to not vote for this atrocity.
Basically, it requires all vitamin or supplement manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to be licensed, registered, and controlled by the FDA. In other words, the FDA can do whatever it wishes to do in regard to vitamins and supplements, such as ban them maybe.
Is there any question, but that the FDA is controlled by Big Pharma? Is there any doubt but that a person, such as my 76 year old self, who is in perfect health, thanks to taking a lot of supplements, is an enemy of Big Pharma? Since I am in such great health, and have never even had a physical examination, am I a pseudo enemy of Big Pharma, pharmacists, doctors, and all parts of the medical profession? I have never made a claim on my health policy other than a yearly exam by a dermatologist, since I am fair skinned. I don’t get any prescriptions filled, nor go to a doctor’s office, and I am not alone at all. There are millions of us who care for ourselves, and want no part of Big Pharma, and drugs of any sort. If this bill passes, it will make it very difficult to care for ourselves.
I really do believe that the biggest contributors to various politicians are those which will benefit most from their contributions and lobbying. The little guy making Vitamin “C” or fish oil would be crushed by this bill if it ever became law. More bureaucracy, more licenses, more regulation, and obviously, Big Pharma would exert pressure to see to it that the FDA would condemn all manufacturers of vitamins and supplements. It would be easy for the FDA to submit to pressure from Big Pharma, whose sales are crippled by those of us who care for ourselves, and want no parts of prescription drugs.
My wife is a chiropractor officially, but a damned good naturopath as well. One of our best friends had a heart which liked to race wildly, and often had him in the emergency room. Bonnie told him he needed certain vitamins and minerals, which he took, and he hasn’t had single problem since. He no longer partakes in Big Pharma’s drugs, nor goes to the emergency room. Thanks to supplements and vitamins, this fellow and millions like him, no longer get extensive prescriptions filled, and occupy hospital emergency rooms. We care for ourselves, and that makes us an enemy of the drug prescribing doctors, who seem to know nothing else but to keep Big Pharma going strong.
Is there a need for doctors, hospitals, and drugs on occasion? Of course, but in my opinion, maybe about a third as much as is now used, if our self-care spread to the masses. McCain’s bill will try to kill vitamin manufacturers, distributors, and their sales outlets. Look people, these columns are my opinions, and I am a very opinionated man. I practice what I preach. I am as healthy as a man 30 years younger or maybe more. I have never smoked, been drunk, or done stupid things, and I take a lot of supplements. That’s it, now please call your Senators!
I spent a week in Florida, and saw hundreds of thousands of oldsters who have retired in various gated communities. They are living on pensions and savings I assume. This is alarming to me. If the buck plummets, and it will sooner or later, these geezers will be broke. Broke because their dollars won’t buy much. If they leave their dollars to their kids when they meet their maker, the lawyers and IRS will have a ball with what’s left. It would make ever so much sense for them to stash their savings in gold and silver, sell a bit when they need dollars, and leave the metals to their kids when they die, like any other physical thing such as antiques, family memorabilia, etc, with which there is no need to get the legal profession involved. Get the point? I did meet one aged couple who still had a home in Teaneck New Jersey, which hadn’t sold yet, but they sold their gold at a huge profit, and bought their retirement home in Florida with the proceeds, while they wait for their home up north to sell. Smart people!