Romney/Ryan Lose 2012 Election Thread

[ixcuincle]

[Tulane Skins Fan]

http://www.salon.com/topic/meningitis/

The fatal meningitis epidemic sweeping the United States can now be traced to the failure of then-Gov. Mitt Romney to adequately regulate the Massachusetts pharmaceutical company that is being blamed for the deaths.

At least 344 people in 18 states have been infected by the growing public health crisis and 25 have died so far.

But the epidemic may also play a role in the presidential campaign, now that state records reveal that a Massachusetts regulatory agency found that the New England Compounding Co., the pharmaceutical company tied to the epidemic, repeatedly failed to meet accepted standards in 2004 — but a reprimand was withdrawn by the Romney administration in apparent deference to the company’s business interests.

“It goes all the way up to Mitt Romney,” said Alyson Oliver, a Michigan attorney representing victims of the outbreak. According to Oliver, on at least six occasions, NECC was cited by authorities for failure to meet regulatory standards and almost subjected to a three-year probation. “It goes directly to the heart of what Romney says about regulation, ‘Hands off. Let the companies do their thing.’”

Now, I'm not going to even imply that Romney is responsible for anyone getting meningitis from this facility. However, I see this as a chance to make a broader point. What is best for business is not de facto "what is best." I'd have to look much more into Romney's policies specific to pharmaceuticals, etc., but its absolutely true that if you shield a company from accountability, they keep doing whatever they do until they harm someone. True for individuals too.

[skinsmarydu]

http://www.salon.com/topic/meningitis/



Now, I'm not going to even imply that Romney is responsible for anyone getting meningitis from this facility. However, I see this as a chance to make a broader point. What is best for business is not de facto "what is best." I'd have to look much more into Romney's policies specific to pharmaceuticals, etc., but its absolutely true that if you shield a company from accountability, they keep doing whatever they do until they harm someone. True for individuals too.

I am sending your link to everyone I can think of. Most people I know have already voted, but if this could change one mind, I'M ALL IN.

[Tulane Skins Fan]

I am sending your link to everyone I can think of. Most people I know have already voted, but if this could change one mind, I'M ALL IN.

Its a valid broader point. I don't know how accurate the article is, and I'll readily admit that Salon is one of the more biased websites out there. But, I think its probable given my personal beliefs that 1) we shouldn't do what is best for business 100% of the time; and 2) if you don't hold someone or something accountable for actions, they will continue to perform bad acts.

[skinsmarydu]

Its a valid broader point. I don't know how accurate the article is, and I'll readily admit that Salon is one of the more biased websites out there. But, I think its probable given my personal beliefs that 1) we shouldn't do what is best for business 100% of the time; and 2) if you don't hold someone or something accountable for actions, they will continue to perform bad acts.

Agreed that Salon is a little biased, but Joan Walsh doesn't ignore TRUTH on even a semi-regular basis that I know of.
Most of what I read and watch is biased left, I admit. But it doesn't report FALSEHOOD as truth. I have seen Rachel Maddow have to do a correction maybe 5 times in 5 years. But she admits it. Btw, every single night, she's got a "dig" story...something no one else is following.

[Popeman38]

http://www.salon.com/topic/meningitis/



Now, I'm not going to even imply that Romney is responsible for anyone getting meningitis from this facility. However, I see this as a chance to make a broader point. What is best for business is not de facto "what is best." I'd have to look much more into Romney's policies specific to pharmaceuticals, etc., but its absolutely true that if you shield a company from accountability, they keep doing whatever they do until they harm someone. True for individuals too.

Are you ****ing kidding me? If a right leaning member on this board posted an article from RedState with unconfirmed allegations, the flaming would have been immediate. Instead, we get a "thanks, I'll pass it along in hopes of influencing votes"? Seriously? Salon is saying things like "may have" and "repeatedly failed to meet accepted standards in 2004 — but a reprimand was withdrawn by the Romney administration in apparent deference to the company’s business interests". Pray tell, link the outbreak to this withdrawn reprimand. All this article does is make allegations. And in no way connects the outbreak to these "violations".

[Tulane Skins Fan]

Are you ****ing kidding me? If a right leaning member on this board posted an article from RedState with unconfirmed allegations, the flaming would have been immediate. Instead, we get a "thanks, I'll pass it along in hopes of influencing votes"? Seriously? Salon is saying things like "may have" and "repeatedly failed to meet accepted standards in 2004 — but a reprimand was withdrawn by the Romney administration in apparent deference to the company’s business interests". Pray tell, link the outbreak to this withdrawn reprimand. All this article does is make allegations. And in no way connects the outbreak to these "violations".

I think you missed the point of both my post and the article. What are the "unconfirmed" allegations you are struggling with?

Do you disagree that lax regulation can lead to bad results? Or that failure to hold bad actors accountable allows them to continue performing bad acts?

The article wasn't saying that the meningitis outbreak can be directly linked to Romney. It was saying that letting companies off the hook for mistakes with no repercussions because you want to be "pro-business" CAN have bad outcomes. And while the meningitis outbreak cannot be directly linked to anyone in the government, the failure to regulate the company and hold it accountable can be a reason that the company continued despite its poor track record.

[Predicto]

Are you ****ing kidding me? If a right leaning member on this board posted an article from RedState with unconfirmed allegations, the flaming would have been immediate. Instead, we get a "thanks, I'll pass it along in hopes of influencing votes"?

From one person.

Take a deep breath.

[Corcaigh]

Good questions. Would like to see the tap-dancing responses, especially from Cantor.

I saw it live. It was rough. Cantor had just been talking about Romney being the one with a hopeful specific agenda and Obama was all about attack ads.

Here's the transcript

GREGORY: The head of Chrysler said that that is deceptive, that they are opening production facilities to service to Chinese market while they’re also expanding production in Ohio. This from a business leader, Governor Romney, who apparently thinks its good business to outsource in order to make companies more competitive. Is this the hopeful specific agenda that Governor Romney has for the state of Ohio and the country?

REP. CANTOR: You know, I-- I think the point of-- of that ad is the fact we need a president who’s actually going to focus on increasing the competitiveness of America so that we can see plants openings here and we really need a president who’s going to focus on making things in America, so we can sell them abroad. And I think that’s why you have seen former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca endorse Mitt Romney’s bid for the presidency. Again, we need somebody with some solutions. We need somebody with the demonstrated ability to work with all parties, all sides…

GREGORY: I understood, leader, you…

REP. CANTOR: …bringing them together with…

GREGORY: …don’t think that’s a deceptive ad?

REP CANTOR: …the single focus of getting this economy back on track. David, I’ve not seen the ad. I just heard it. Now, I’ve not seen the ad. They’re apparently not running it in Virginia. So I’ve not seen the ad. But I do think the point is Mitt Romney has demonstrated the ability of-- of building jobs, of-- of making it so that we can have more investment, more economic activity in America. He has a demonstrated track record and has provided an actual plan whereas all you’re getting from the president in these closing days of his campaign is more negativity, more attacks, and I just think that, again, Americans are looking to see how they can make their lives work again. Barack Obama is not providing any answers, and if you like the way things are now with nearly eight percent unemployment, that’s what you’re going to get if you re-elect the president.

[alexey]

I'm not sure how much of a connection you can draw between Mitt Romney and meningitis... but I think at this point in history only a complete ignoramus could agree with a statement that the private sector always knows better and does better.

There are times when there is an obvious conflict between the profit motive and the public good. Dealing with such situations is one of the primary roles of the government. Any candidate that does not understand this basic fact is automatically disqualified from PUBLIC SERVICE.

[GibbsFactor]

I am sending your link to everyone I can think of. Most people I know have already voted, but if this could change one mind, I'M ALL IN.

If this changes someone's mind... god help us all.

[skinsmarydu]

Thanks, Corcaigh...debate going on here during MTP yesterday. (on who was gonna go get cigarettes, lol)

[Mad Mike]

http://www.salon.com/topic/meningitis/

Now, I'm not going to even imply that Romney is responsible for anyone getting meningitis from this facility. However, I see this as a chance to make a broader point. What is best for business is not de facto "what is best." I'd have to look much more into Romney's policies specific to pharmaceuticals, etc., but its absolutely true that if you shield a company from accountability, they keep doing whatever they do until they harm someone. True for individuals too.

I think common sense is enough to show an indirect link between Romney's policies and the outbreak.

I keep hearing what a great "manager" Romney is. Well... this is his track record.

[skinsmarydu]

I'm not sure how much of a connection you can draw between Mitt Romney and meningitis... but I think at this point in history only a complete ignoramus could agree with a statement that the private sector always knows better and does better.

There are times when there is an obvious conflict between the profit motive and the public good. Dealing with such situations is one of the primary roles of the government. Any candidate that does not understand this basic fact is automatically disqualified from PUBLIC SERVICE.

Makes sense. He's not part of the public. He's part of the private "I gotta get alla mine" sector.

If this changes someone's mind... god help us all.

God help us all if we're handed a liar-in-chief.

[GibbsFactor]

I'm not sure how much of a connection you can draw between Mitt Romney and meningitis... but I think at this point in history only a complete ignoramus could agree with a statement that the private sector always knows better and does better.

There are times when there is an obvious conflict between the profit motive and the public good. Dealing with such situations is one of the primary roles of the government. Any candidate that does not understand this basic fact is automatically disqualified from PUBLIC SERVICE.

It's not that the private sector knows better. We have history to show it does not and we also know we are all greedy ****s that will do whatever it takes to get a leg up. However, unlike with government, when a company screws up, that company is gone. There are real consequences. Gone are the days of Rockefeller and Vanderbilt monopolizing industries. This is a good thing.

I also think it's worth while to point out that the Government doesn't know any better either. And more importantly, there aren't any real consequences when they screw up. The government is still here, doing their business. They will never be as efficient or careful because they have no competing brand and no pride of ownership(ironic isn't it).

So why saddle us with debt if the end result is no one gets punished? What happens when the government messes up? Like, say the SEC? We all lose.

---------- Post added November-5th-2012 at 04:11 PM ----------

God help us all if we're handed a liar-in-chief.

We've had 43 of em.