*
Andrew Yang must be admired for making the connection between hyper-corporate capitalism and the opioid epidemic in ABC’s Democratic Debate in New Hampshire. He acknowledges that the blood-money must be recovered from these corporations responsible for infecting and addicting Americans with their poison.
Andrew Yang on hyper-corporate capitalism & opioids
When I first met Yang in Houston and listened to him, he seemed to have a more libertarian streak which I am generally not fond of because of its individualism. But when one reads his healthcare plan and Basic income plan for which there are ongoing experiments, it turns out he is a different character.
It is always hard to place Andrew Yang on the ideological spectrum. I understand why I like him. He does not let ideology constrain ideas that he believes will work.
There is something that is thematic with him. Every economic argument ultimately gets a veneer of his basic income theology. Interestingly, when one analysis through a few levels of indirection, it turns out that he is right. I interviewed a few proponents at Netroots 2019.
Having another candidate call out corporate greed in graphic fashion — blood-money — for deliberately poisoning Americans is refreshing. Too often they are much too cautious. Said timidity has allowed them to run roughshod over Americans.
Viewers are encouraged to subscribe and join the conversation for more insightful commentary and to support progressive messages. Together, we can populate the internet with progressive messages that represent the true aspirations of most Americans.
What I love is how many political leaders condemn all opioid manufacturers, while ignoring the fact that fining them harshly (which is reasonable, within reason) would only cause the price to go up astronomically for those who need those drugs.
While it is good to hold those who have conducted felonious sales frauds have harmed responsible for their action, one has to also realize that those with severe pain, such as post-operative patients, cancer patients and those with spinal stenosis that is untreatable would then be either incapable of affording the medication and insurance companies unwilling to pay the additional costs and hence, remove the drugs from their formulary.
But then, those are a minority and who in this nation cares a whit about minorities, like my wife with advanced osteoporosis, herniated discs and advanced spinal stenosis? Who cares about a cancer patient howling in pain during their final months of life?