The CBS Morning News today had a story about a Federal worker who was rationing insulin.

[MineralMan]

Last edited Thu Jan 24, 2019, 11:29 AM - Edit history (1)

She's a federal Fish and Game employee. She's furloughed and can't afford the co-pays for her insulin to control her Type I diabetes. Fortunately for her, some people have stepped up and helped her with donations and actual insulin.

However, she should not have been forced to do that in the first place. The federal government should never shut down and put people out of a paycheck. That such a thing can happen is a flaw in our system that needs to be corrected, once and for all. Federal employees should never be treated as hostages by a President or political party. That seems to me to be an obvious thing.

Political disputes will always exist in our system of government. That should, in no way, affect the salaries and wages of federal government employees, who depend on the "good faith and credit" of the United States of America. Like every other worker who is a middle-class person, it can be difficult to make ends meet, at best.

In reality, that woman should never have to ration insulin. It should not be a product that is subject to the greed of its manufacturers. It is not an optional medication for Type I diabetes patients. It is a matter of life and death. Not only should that woman not be on an arbitrary furlough caused by a petulant President, her insulin should be part of a comprehensive universal healthcare system program to provide life-saving medications to everyone who needs them.

As voters, we have work to do. We must rid ourselves of politicians who exercise petty control over people's lives without even a thought. We must elect people who understand the government's true responsibility to its citizens.

[handmade34]

1. this story

is as much about the need for universal health care as it spotlights how horrific the shutdown is...

[MineralMan]

4. Yes. It's a story of the failure of our government

to do its job in more than one way. That's why it struck me this morning. Insulin prices have gone through the roof, due to lack of regulation and control over the cost of a truly life-saving medication. The furlough just adds to the insult and puts that federal employee's life at risk.

All over the pettiness of our President. It's obscene.

[grumpyduck]

6. Yes it is. Disgusting and a total failure. nt

[tblue37]

2. K&R for visibility. nt

[marylandblue]

3. There's a bill in the House to end shutdowns forever.

It provides for an automatic CR whenever appropriations lapse. Maybe when this over, Congress will be shell-shocked enough to pass that.

[MineralMan]

5. I think such a bill will require Democratic control of both houses

and the White house. It should be a high priority when we have that control.

[ooky]

12. Really glad to hear that. This is a great time for that bill to receive high visibility

and M$M coverage. Dems need to go ahead and pass it in the House and hand it to McConnell.

Every piece of legislation the House passes and the Senate fails to act on becomes a 2020 promise of action to the people if they elect a democratic majorities to both chambers and a democratic president.

[bdamomma]

7. apparently

this regime wants people to "suck it up". If that comment doesn't make people more angrier that they are to get in the streets and their repigs offices I don't know what will.

Damn this regime.

[Mr. Quackers]

20. if you're not pissed by now

a person would have to be stupid, evil, or in on it.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

8. It's only a matter of time before the stories about suicides begin.

In the mid-1980s I remember a story about a 5-year-old who hanged himself because he heard his parents talking about how worried they were about money. He wrote that he wanted to make it easier for Mommy and Daddy.

The father was in the military, and was being paid regularly.

I still feel sad about the child's decision.

How many workers are going to be evicted from rent-controlled apartments, only to find affordable housing a long, long way from their jobs? You know their landlords are just waiting for an excuse to kick them out and double the rent on the next tenant.

[flamingdem]

17. Seems like the workers should have protection if they're in Section 8?

One problem is how no one knew this would last so long.. uncharted territory.

[Raster]

9. We also must punish those members of government that have allowed this to happen.

[NurseJackie]

10. Will it be possible to calculate the death-toll resulting from this shutdown?

Deaths from suicides, lack of care, lack of shelter, lack of food, lack of medicines, eating tainted food, gang violence, flying the hazardous skies, rolling the low-maintenance rails, bridges, roads?

Will the number just trickle and grow larger slowly? Or will there be a mid-air collision, or a terrorist attack?

What will make the GOP sit up and take notice?

[MineralMan]

11. I doubt that the GOP is capable of any empathy at all.

We should emphasize that going forward in our political campaigns. Let's call them on their lack of concern - again and again and again.

[bdamomma]

25. I really wish we could to them

what they are doing to us like hold their pay too. But someone explained that wouldn't be good.

But you notice how "entitlement" of the Repigs and this filthy regime are projecting with them saying things like "suck it up" they really think they are entitled to everything. Sorry but it does not work that way. We will push back.

Sorry I got away from your comment.

People are hurting and our country is hemorrhaging if we don't stop this there will be a mass casualty event or an increase in suicides.

And those who are in denial or perpetrators of our people being hurt due to this shutdown/takeover need to be punished and not just resign.

[oberliner]

13. Thank you for this post

Kicked and recommended!

[redstatebluegirl]

14. K&R

[saidsimplesimon]

15. A death by a thousand cuts

When I can not appeal to reason to avoid confrontation, I resort to non-violent humanitarian verbal and all other legal means of opposition.

You don't want to experience my calculated revenge if you harm this nation. I am a patriot.

[cstanleytech]

16. Personally I am of the opinion that the federal government should step in and produce insulin

for people for free for diabetics.

[Vinca]

33. I totally agree with you.

Insulin has been around for almost a hundred years and it used to be affordable. Lately, big pharma has jacked up the price to foolish levels for no good reason. My husband buys his from a Canadian pharmacy for a fraction of what it costs in this country. Still not cheap, but better than what we can buy it for here. Since it's necessary for life, it should be provided free.

[duforsure]

18. When people die,

Because of trump and the Republicans shutdown and policies , does anyone really think they'll accept any responsibility for it, or even care?

[bdamomma]

28. no they won't show

any empathy. They are all about them and getting theirs. McConnell and Miller and those who are involved in this shutdown, Russian involvement need to be held that they are endangering peoples lives.

[moondust]

19. Mexico.

NBC ran this story a couple days ago about people going to Tijuana to buy insulin for less than one-tenth the price in U.S. Of course that may not be an option for everyone.

In a sane world, this needless shutdown would be the last nail in the GOP coffin.

[BobTheSubgenius]

21. Despite its faults, Canada's system really does work quite well.

Setting aside the very large task of saving my life (Staph A in my heart) that would have been at least $300,000 in the US, I have since been put on a rather large number of medications, one of which prevents me from having a stroke and is NOT optional.

The other day, I got 90-day refills for 3 of those drugs, and my cost was just under $15. Admittedly, all my meds are available as generics, so the cost would be ruinous at an average market price, but it would have to be budgeted for. As it is, my Rx "budget" for a month isn't as much as a trip to the movies.

[MineralMan]

22. Yes. Universal Health Care, taxpayer funded, should be

our highest priority when we again have control of the White House and Congress. No excuses!

[BobTheSubgenius]

24. I couldn't agree more!

If gigantic economies like Peru and Rwanda can do it, it seems to me that the US could, too...if it weren't for deeply-entrenched special interests.

The man who brought universal health care to Canada, Tommy Douglas, (oddly, Keifer Sutherland's grandfather) was chosen in a year-long, cross-Canada poll as the Greatest Canadian, and I have to agree.

"Beware the little man with a big idea." - Tommy Douglas

[Hekate]

23. KnR

[BritVic]

26. Republican wet dream. People working for nothing and having to rely on charity for healthcare

[malaise]

27. But but but

Lara Bush says it's for their own good

[MineralMan]

29. The old "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" theory.

Yay!

[bdamomma]

30. it would be great

if we can reciprocate and tell this filthy regime to "SUCK IT UP". My, my their sense of entitlement makes me want to do this

[malaise]

32. That is mild sis

[Eliot Rosewater]

31. Rump, KGB and GOP hope this is a TWO FER, they can kill both a government employee who they hate

wait

this is a

THREE FER

I mean think about it, is she black?

If she is, they get to KILL 3 of the groups they hate in one shot

Woman
Black
Democrat

Let me know when all of us are mad enough to HIT the streets and I mean HIT the streets.