Here are some statistics about how pharmaceutical companies financially influence Congress and legislature:

• Members of the House and Senate received an average of $25,277 and $81,891, respectively, in pharmaceutical industry contributions in 2008
• Pharmaceutical industry spending to lobby the federal government exceeded $1.5 billion from 1998 to 2008, more than any other industry
• The ratio of pharmaceutical industry lobbyists to Members of Congress is approximately 2:1
• Pharmaceutical industry contributions were targeted at members of the relevant commerce and tax committees responsibile for industry regulation
• Members of the relevant Senate committees received an average of $210,432 in industry contributions, nearly three times the Senate average of $81,891
• Targeted Members of the House received an average of $163,280 in industry contributions, six times the House average
• Pharmaceutical industry contributions favored incumbents by a factor of nine to one (89%)

Source: Americans For Campaign Reform

When a person accepts a gift, there is expectation of return. Can I really trust a politician who accepts this kind of money year after year to be unbiased? Can I really trust politicians to work for health care reform that is really in my best interest when virtually (perhaps literally) 100% of them are on the payroll of pharmaceutical companies? Any health care reform that comes out of such “bought” people can only give more power to pharmaceutical companies and less power to individuals. This is why I am hardly thrilled about any of the health care reform talk that is going on now.

This kind of pharmaceutical money infiltrating Congress has been called “blood money”. I could not agree more. Politics is a filthy business, and it is our own fault that we constantly look to politics to solve our problems. There is no moral justification for Congress to allow themselves to receive contributions from pharmaceutical companies. We are going to have to work out our own health, with or without the government.

Disclaimer: This article is not medical advice. This is opinion and is for informational purposes only. If seeking medical advice, consult a licensed physician.

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