Nation of Sheep

A Nation of Sheep

By Stan G. Kain

18 September 2003

Having worked in the media for several years, I suppose I'd have to say I'm a “news junkie.” I'm usually up early in the morning and the first thing I do is scan several online news sources, from around the world. Two or three articles usually catch my eye and beg for further reading. Often, I sit there, wondering what has happened to the power of our people. Are we just complacent? Are we lazy? Do we just accept the course of our nation, as our leaders tell us what's best for us? Do we question the motive of those in power? Are we just so comfortable, we're not willing to make small sacrifices to protect our freedoms?

I think about the sacrifices made by our Founding Fathers of this nation. Do we still have individuals willing to stand up to the power of government and big business, or are we just a nation of sheep? Three recent articles have caught my attention and serve as examples of what I'm saying.

We've heard a lot of controversy about the price of prescription drugs in America. Many Americans, forced to choose between buying prescription medication or food, have chosen an alternative. These Americans are purchasing their drugs from Canadian pharmacies. Are they saving money? You bet they are!

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, from New York, directed a survey on the price of FDA-approved prescription drugs, comparing prices in Canada with prices in New York. Purchasing Allegra, New Yorkers save $85.00 each year, making the purchase from Canada. They saved $371.00 each year on Lipitor, $182.00 on Norvasc and a whipping $976.00 on Prevacid.

Currently, name brand drug companies in the U.S. charge whatever they wish for their products. They are able to do so, because they face little competition from generic or other alternatives. Prescription drugs in Canada are priced 38% lower than in the U.S., on average.

In the Senate, a bill introduced by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-NM), was signed into law. The law, known as the “MEDS Act,” allows re-importation from a group of industrialized countries, but has never been implemented. Why? Because the law leaves ultimate control over drug re-importation to the federal Health and Human Services Secretary. Both the U.S. and Canada have similar processes for reviewing and approving pharmaceuticals, including compliance with standard practices and labeling of medicines. Yet, the Health and Human Service Secretary and some U.S. politicians are taking measures to block Americans from purchasing drugs from lower price sources in Canada. Why? Opponents claim that drugs purchased from Canada may not be safe. They argue that medication may be mislabeled, out of date or not full strength. The real reason? Have you ever heard of pharmaceutical lobbyists?

Pharmaceutical manufacturers use many of those dollars paid by patients to lobbyists in Washington. Lobbyists line the pockets of politicians to make sure the interests of their bosses are protected. We're not talking about protecting American patients. We're talking about protecting the profits of manufacturers.

Have you ever heard of Canadians dropping dead outside Canadian pharmacies, due to lack of quality control in their prescriptions? Of course not! We're talking about quality control in Canada, a nation as advanced as our own, not about a back street vendor in Bangladesh. If I were Canadian, I'd consider this argument an insult!

What is the solution to the price of prescription medications in the U.S.? Should Americans be allowed to continue purchasing medication from a licensed Canadian pharmacy? As an interim measure, yes. As a long range solution, Americans should demand checks and balances with lobbyist activities. We need to stand behind people like Senator Shumer. Consider the time to send a letter to your elected representatives as an investment in your future. Demand an accounting of lobbyists money. Demand pharmaceutical prices at least equal to those in Canada, or at least the option of purchasing the same medication from a Canadian source. Don't just be a sheep and accept statements from agencies, such as Health and Human Services. Demand to see facts and figures for Canadian pharmaceutical standards.

Have you noticed a drop in the price of gasoline, recently? Of course not! Do you know that oil prices in London hit a four-month low on Wednesday? Crude oil fell 29 cents in London, while U.S. light crude fell 44 cents, just off a four-month low. In fact, crude oil prices have fallen fourteen percent this month. Supplies are up, as well. The U.S. government's Energy Information Administration reported weekly crude stocks had risen by 3.1 million barrels, to 279.3 million barrels. Oil prices have slide so low, OPEC is meeting next Wednesday to review their output policy.

So, why are we still paying $1.77 per gallon for gasoline? The answer is simple enough. Because we're willing to pay it. Do you think the oil companies mind making the additional profit? Of course not! Oil companies will charge whatever the market will bear. How many Americans are willing to cut back consumption, in an effort to restore fair prices? This calls for some sacrifice. How much gasoline could each American save, if short trips were consolidated? Is this trip really necessary? Could I walk to do this errand? Could I use public transportation? If each of us could reduce our gasoline consumption by even five gallons a week, oil companies would take notice. Prices would drop. Of course, every American would have to participate in the protest. There is power in numbers. Oh, and Americans should remember they sent oil company supporters to the White House. Remember that at election time.

What about consumer privacy? Do you think a retailer or manufacturer has the right to track your purchases? The technology is here and tracking is at your front door. Consumer goods companies and retailers have announced a replacement for the well known barcode on products. Many firms will be upgrading to the new radio frequency identification (RFID) system. The nearly invisible device, embedded in products, will broadcast information about the product, including the location and serial number.

Supporters of the RFID technology claim retailers will be able to take an accurate inventory, with a quick scan, cutting labor costs. In reality, the RFID chips can be used to secretly identify you and the things you are carrying – right through your clothing, wallet, backpack or purse, or through the walls of your home. RFID chips, combined with user membership or discount cards, will allow retailers to track your purchasing pattern. As technology advances, additional data may be gathered about individual consumers. CASPIAN and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have been fighting implementation of the new technology. Only a small number of legislators in the U.S. have acknowledged their concerns.

The Auto-ID Center, having developed the chip, has refused to publish its plan for protecting the privacy of consumers. They have proposed that retailers can disable the RFID tags, upon purchase, but suggests this be done only when requested by the shopper. CASPIAN member, Katherine Albrecht says, “We are not aware of any cases in which the chips are being killed at checkout.” Retailers who have been testing the RFID technology in the U.S. and Europe are not disabling the tags.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, will require that it's suppliers tag their warehouse pallets and containers with RFID tags, giving it's largest suppliers until 2005 to comply, with others to follow by 2006. Hannaford's has made the decision not to have a shopper registration program, at this time, to help protect consumers. However, the supermarket chain was purchased by Food Lion in 1999. Food Lion promotes cards in its other stores.

Do you want every manufacturer and retailer to know your purchase history? Are you not concerned about how far the technology will go in the future? As with a disease, it is much easier to treat the problem in the beginning stages. How much effort would it take to learn which retailers and manufacturers are implementing the RFID chip in their products? CASPIAN maintains a database, accessible via the Internet, of supermarket policies relating to shopper registration. Learning about these stores is a beginning. Demand to know RFID policies at stores where you shop. Sure, you might have to change your shopping pattern, but advise store managers that you will not purchase items or from stores using the RFID technology. When the profits fall, the RFID chip will go the way of the Edsel. Remember, with retailers and manufacturers, the bottom line is profit.

I've discussed the power of the boycott and the vote. I've mentioned the need for small personal sacrifice, all for the good of the American consumer. Each of us has the power to change the course of our nation. Change would require little, compared to what our founders gave to give us freedom. Like our Founding Fathers, we can't wait for someone else to make the sacrifice. Change begins with each and every one of us. We have the power to improve our quality of life and protect our freedoms.

We have allowed our government to spend billions of dollars, unsuccessfully chasing Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein across the desert. We've given up our right to privacy, in exchange for a false sense of freedom from terrorists. We've allowed corporations to lie, cheat and steal from us, while making huge profits. Like sheep – no, like neutered sheep – we've just followed along, waiting for someone else to save us from the wolves. Rather than wait for a leader to do something, it's time for each and every American to take action. Each and every American as the power to show corporations we've had enough. Each of us has the power to put our politicians on notice that will will no longer tolerate lobbyists lining their pockets at our expense. Takeing action, like the wolf, might give you a better feeling than just being one of the sheep and hiding in the flock.

If you have questions or comments, email Stan.

©2003 Stan G. Kain