"Side Effects"

Over the last few years I've noticed more and more advertisements for "so-called" miracle drugs. Years ago I received the drug tagamet for heart burn and esophagitis. To me this was the "miracle" as I suffered for many years with a very uncomfortable medical condition. Today we have Prilosec, Prevacid, Pepcid, and a host of other medicines to reduce acid and allow us to pursue a diet of hot peppers, and spicy food of all types. Being an Italian-American I can't thank the drug industry enough for the great gift they have given me with these drugs. My wife said I should just change what I eat and I could find relief from my stomach problems; what a foolish suggestion. Asking an Italian to stop eating spicy food is not an option! We now have drugs for depression, anxiety, baldness, skin rashes, and erectile dysfunction; along with a host of other conditions too long to mention. You can hardly turn on the television without seeing a new drug being touted for some new medical problem.

Most of the ads we see for these new "miracle" drugs have a disclaimer that is quickly run through at the close of the commercial, the "side effects". I've heard the words vomiting, hair loss, anal leakage, thoughts of suicide, diarrhea, and severe headache attached to many of the new crop of these medical breakthroughs. Our laws require the drug industry to inform us of the possible side effects of any medicine we take. The next time you pick up a prescription you should find a list in your bag stating what your drug does, its dosage, and any restrictions you should follow when taking the drug. Your druggist will probably ask you if you have any questions regarding your prescription, just to make sure you understand what you are taking. All this is done for your protection.

Wouldn't it be great if we could have the same protection when dealing with our political process? You know, have someone explain exactly what each bill contained and the possible repercussions of those bills. Have someone who is acting only in our interests without influence of any other body or organization. HEY isn't that what Congress is supposed to do!? WOW what a realization, I almost forgot the purpose of our elected officials, to look out for us! It seems our representatives have forgotten why they are there; not to serve their party or philosophy, but to serve and protect the American people.

We now are seeing the "side effects" of Obamacare being revealed; after the fact. America has been given a drug without the explanation of what it will do besides cure the condition it was prescribed for. Hidden tax, denial of treatment, higher cost, none of this was mentioned by the "chemists" who concocted this bill. We received no information about the negative effects we would be experiencing.

We need some new rules for our senators and representatives; we want the whole truth about any proposed legislation or policy. It is the right of every American to know all of the facts, not just what sounds good to our ears. The omission of facts is the same as lying about the facts. The voters of America will not forget who "lied"through omission; November is coming. Remember America!