12.27.09
2009 recap
Its sad that the 2009 recap follows the 2009 predictions. This blog has been left for the dustbin, and for that, i apologize. . to myself, mainly. I’ve kept this thing going for a few years now, after starting my first blog (dystopia) in 1995, so I figure why stop it now?
What is the follow-up of my optimistic outlook on 2009? Much as predicted. I think it says everything that needs to be said that Obama had to make a deal with the pharmaceutical industry that they would only be asked to give up 80 billion over ten years (so, no dice on drug reimportation). This smacks of back door dealing and wheeling, and in fact, it is exactly that. But without a deal, the drug industry would employ is massive strength in public relations and manipulation and would successfully sink any chance of passing a bill. So Obama made the deal to expand coverage, which is undoubtedly the morally justifiable action. Powerful interests are entrenched, and reform will not happen overnight. Storming the castle head on — attempting to destroy pharma’s incredible profit margin — would result in devastating defeat. And this is just one example of the many power centers in American society.
So trudge on, we will, while upsetting many in the process. The true merits of this approach will only be judged in retrospect, many years down the road.