Loose cannons

Monopoly capitalism at work

"California Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced the distribution of [US]$407,454 in refund checks to 701 California cancer patients who overpaid for the Bristol-Myers Squibb (Bristol) drug Taxol... The Taxol case is one of a series of actions taken by Lockyer and other [state] attorneys general against drug companies for market manipulation, patent abuse, price fixing and other unlawful conduct that has artificially inflated prices paid by consumers." — June 1 media release from California Office of the Attorney General.

Research and development

"In '97, drug companies spent just $55 million on media ads. By 2000 that figure was $2.5 billion. Today, it's over $3 billion and rising. Advertising is driving up both drug use and prices." — Carolina Morning News, July 9.

Managed health care

"We are cutting back generally on the population that hurts us the most." — Paul Nannis, spokesperson for Milwaukee's Aurora Sinai Medical Center, quoted in the August 2 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which reported that "Aurora Sinai Medical Center is urging its doctors to treat fewer poor patients".

Now that's no lie!

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." — Emperor George Bush II, August 6, signing a US$417 billion war budget.

Knew it was true

"No one in Bush's audience of military brass or Pentagon chiefs reacted." — From an Associated Press report on Bush's August 6 statement.

Clarification

"Even the most straightforward and plain-spoken people misspeak. But the American people know this president speaks with clarity and conviction." — White House press secretary Scott McClellan trying to explain away Bush's admission that his regime never stops "thinking about new ways to harm" the American people.

From Green Left Weekly, August 11, 2004.

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From GLW issue 593