Joint Effort

Over 180 pharmaceutical fraud cases, covering more than 500 drugs, are now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice under the False Claims Act. 

Settlement of just 16 drug manufacturing cases (all those resolved to date) has returned over $4 billion to the U.S. Government and the 50 states.

The below are health-care related postings  from 2008 on the TAF (Taxpayers Against Fraud) web-site.  I highly encourage you to see for yourself how these well known firms conduct business.   Should you place your trust in these firms to provide quality health-care products or services to your family?

• Lilly Reserves $1.4 Billion for Off-Label Zyprexa Case
• Uncle Sam vs. McKesson Corp
• Cephalon Pays $425 Million
• NY Hospital to pay $88 Million
• Abbott Pays $28 Million to TX
• Healthfirst to Pay NY $35 Million
• CoxHealth To Pay $60 Million
• Justice Probes Bile Stent Fraud -companies such as Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson have been engaged in off-label marketing…
• Amerigroup Settles for $225 Million
• Ranbaxy Under Investigation
• TX Joins Lawsuit Against Four Drug Companies
• Walgreens Pays $35 Million
• Medtronic/ Kyphon Settle for $75 Million
• Biovail To Pay $25 Million
• Baptist Health South to Pay $7.675 Million
• McKesson to Pay $13.25 Million
• CoxHealth Floats a Number
• CVS Pays $37 Million For Drug Switching
• $215 Million Alabama Jury Award Sends Message on Average Wholesale Price Fraud
• Quest Reserves $241 Million

The Justice Department has announced that $2 billion has been recovered under the federal False Claims Act in Fiscal Year 2007, of which $1.45 billion came from whistleblower-filed cases.  The total amount returned to the U.S. Government under the False Claims Act since 1986 is well over $20 billion.  Department of Justice data is actually very conservative, as it does not include billions of dollars in civil recoveries returned to the states or criminal fines imposed as a direct consequence of False Claims Act filings and prosecutions. 

To learn more, go to: Taxpayers Against Fraud   LINK 

WOW – “I believe” this kid displays greater charisma and eloquence than most of the leaders controlling the world today!  Want to bet young Dalton will end up being somebody influential?   I think the video speaks for itself, please share!

It’s that time of year again when employee’s get to choose their new health care plans for 2009.   That would be if you are still employed, or if your employer still offers a health plan…   And as a matter of routine you can expect cost increases, deductible increases, and benefit decreases.   I would venture to guess that if you received a pay increase in 2008 that it won’t cover “these” increases in your healthcare cost alone.   So if you expect to buy food and gas in 2009, I would suggest getting a second or third job…   Or maybe you can go to CEO school or win the lottery?!

Link to Guaranteed Health Care - CLICK HERE

If you don’t know about HR676, please educate yourself NOW!   This house bill without pork attached is what the US needs to bring its delivery of heathcare ranking up beyond our existing third world status!  Check out the Physicain’s for a National Health Plan and Healthcare-Now web sites, under my Favorite Sites menu.  Let us all make a real CHANGE that will actually benefit us! 

from The Ogstylez

This is a refreshing break from the polls, the news accounts of who said what, the name calling, the half truths, etc…   I often thought as a child that wars should be decided by national leaders having it out in a one-on-one…   Why not!   It’s no less childish than what is going on now…   So who won?

I’m not sure about you, but it would seem to me that the cost of living has sky rocketed over the last 12 months.  The below index confirms this, however, I have to believe that these government figures are missing something!  What is does accurately illustrate, is that for the last 11 months running versus 2007, I was indeed correct.  The flip side of this is that throughout the last eight years of the Bush era, salaries stagnated or shrunk, etc…  So how much more belt tightening can you do?  I want to believe the message that America can change its course and revitalize itself on a new foundation, restore its integrity, be a leader in positive change, be an example for the World! …  Damn that sure was a good joint!     Like that’s really going to happen – NOT!

12 Months Percent Change – Consumer Price Index – All Urban Consumers

Not Seasonally Adjusted
Area:         U.S. city average
Item:         All items

There is still time to make a difference and start on the path towards a real positive change!

Video made by OPERATIONITCH.com

Please consider a real change!  Go to:  www.cindyforcongress.org

What a dirty word!   It seems at least to me that Americans have been so conditioned to react to this word as if the Devil himself had conceived of it!    What I really fail to comprehend is the overall lack of understanding of just how socialist we are.   If you ask the average “Joe” if they would prefer to have private and competitive fire departments to put the fires out in their home, they would say NO.  If you asked if they would prefer that our country hire a contract private military to fight our wars in lieu of having a US military, they would say NO.  The list can go on and on to include law enforcement, public roads, libraries, schools, etc…   And nobody wants Social Security messed with either!   I just fail to see the disconnect.  

On the way to work today, I heard a great piece on PBS radio and think that it did a far better job of discussing the matter than I ever could.   Thus, if you would like to read a great article on the subject of our taxes and what purpose they serve, please go to this LINK and read: “All tax plans are wealth redistribution” by Will Wilkerson.

An article in the Charleston Gazette   By Paul J. Nyden / Staff writer has implied that some W. VA voters are angry about switched votes in Jackson County from the touch-screen systems being utilized.   The article referenced something about the systems alignment calibration being off…   Read the whole article by clicking on this LINK!

On October 7th, I posted a Youtube video about the same topic when Homer Simpson tries to vote for Obama.   Perhaps this video is much closer to the truth about the issues surrounding the use of these devices…   LINK to the Youtube video of Homer voting.

 An interesting idea of video taping your vote is being circulated.   This could prove to be real interesting…  At the very least, be aware of the issue and watch for any problems when voting!    Go to Video your Vote – LINK

Jack posted a really great one today!   I think the McCain camp must have viewed this historical film for a winning strategy.   Its GREAT !    Link to visit BOX JACK blog, click HERE

It seems about two thirds of the e-mail’s I receive these days are all political biased garbage being forwarded to either help or hinder ones agenda on a person or subject.   I sometimes delete them, other times I do futher research to see the truth, or lack of behind them.   In this case, it appears there may be some truth to the matter. 

And just maybe a vote to Cindy Sheehan is a really good choice -Yes!

The below is one such e-mail by an unknown author.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s home district includes San Francisco.   Star-Kist Tuna’s headquarters are in San Francisco, Pelosi’s home district.   Star-Kist is owned by Del Monte Foods and is a major contributor to Pelosi.   Star-Kist is the major employer in American Samoa employing 75% of the Samoan workforce.

Paul Pelosi, Nancy’s husband, owns $17 million dollars of Star-Kist stock. In January 2007 when the minimum wage was increased from $5.15 to $7.25, Pelosi had American Samoa exempted from the increase so Del Monte would not have to pay the higher wage. This would make Del Monte products less expensive than their competition’s. Last week when the huge bailout bill was passed, Pelosi added an earmark to the final bill adding $33 million dollars for an economic development credit in American Samoa.

Pelosi says …Republicans are corrupt.   She should know.  

Washington is corrupt, as is Wall Street!  Please VOTE !  

With all the recent news about CEO golden parachute packages, I thought it may be beneficial for all us “Joe’s” to see how we compare…   I had heard that the average comparison was about 400 times the average worker.   It appears that what I heard was correct.   In my case, being an average white collar professional for a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company.   Yes, I consider myself to be an average “Joe”, who just like you can’t afford to get sick!…   To keep off my soap box, I’ll get to the point.

I would have to work 427 years to equal that of Mr. White’s 2007 compensation, using the Securities and Exchange Commission’s data.    I really would not object if had Mr. White founded the company like Steve Job’s or Bill Gate’s, but that is not the case.  He like so many others are just employee’s, as are you and I.

To see how you compare to your CEO (or any of them), click on this  LINK  to Executive Pay Watch Database from the AFL-CIO America’s Union Movement.

 This is a fresh take on Joe the plumber & Joe six pack.   Hope you Enjoy!   

 Are you prepared to cast your ballot?  

Obama Girl gets my Vote!

This is truly a unique, neat & sweet ride!   The Kawasaki powered T-Rex is the fastest 3 wheeler in the world (157 mph).  It’s not just fast, it looks to be a blast!   Check out the video, then click on the link below to see where and how you can obtain one!

Link to find out more, click HERE !

As I said yesterday – I have had enough of politics…   Tomorrow we can all microwave some popcorn, pop a top on a beer or two and watch the final debate!   (Joe six-pack, yeah right)    But until then I have had enough!   I get plenty enough of politics, lies &  half truths at work…    So if you like HOT cars or Hot girls, perhaps you will enjoy this…    If not, stop in & visit later!      

Enjoy the debate tomorrow!

No politics today – Just had enough!   Thus in the interest of what motivates a man some might suggest; sex, drugs and roll-n-roll…   Well might I suggest; fast cars, fast bikes and fast women!   So for your enjoyment today I will post some of what I like.    Things that go fast !

Shame on you Senator McCain & Governor Palin for this!    There are real issues that can be discussed; health-care, the economic meltdown, the energy crisis, the wars, no money for education, wall street corruption, CEO bailouts, home foreclosures, the national deficit, etc, etc…    Do you folks feel so desperate that you need to be fueling on peoples fears over  what you know to be lies?   What on earth is wrong with you folks?    Please stop this!   Conduct yourselves with some degree of integrity!   Is this really how you want your campaign to be remembered?    This is not what our counrty needs now!   How on earth can you imply that you can bring partisanship to Washington when you display and lower yourselves to school yard name calling?   I am ashamed for you!    Please STOP!

You tell me who the better actress is?               Tina you win!
You tell me who would make the better VP?    Tina you win!

 A message to Senator McCain – Please understand that your continued use of the phrase “My Friend’s” turns my stomach!   You are NOT my friend!    I would venture to guess that if you didn’t hold your current position and you didn’t have your wife’s money, that you just might  realize how friendless you are!  You are rude, conceited and arrogant!    I would hope that when I am in my 70’s that I will have gained some wisdom from my experience and mistakes.   You don’t display any wisdom!  You are in fact a scary individual…   Some folks know when to quit.  You on the other hand, if you persist on your current path will go into the history books along side your “good friend” George.   Maybe your only friend!    Ones time on this planet in the big picture is far less than a blink of the eye when you put it into the perspective of eternity.  One actions during this time are accounted for, be it from the Christian perspective of the Devine law, or from the Buddhist teachings of karma, one will reap what they sow!   Senator McCain, you don’t have any friends!  My advise to you is to reflect upon what you have done well and not so well, find some peace winthin.   You are an old foolish man and should full take advantage of the little time you have left…   Go fishing, enjoy the grandchildren, spend some time with your lovely rich wife, and take a cruise…   Senator McCain, you don’t have any friends!    PLEASE quit saying “My Friend’s” !  It makes me sick!

Will your vote count? - See how Homer votes !

  VS 

I bet you didn’t realize that a typical American family pays more in taxes than the typical French family!   The reason its not fully understood, is in the details of the definition of the word ”tax”.  Case in point take a French couple with two children versus an American couple with two children;  the American couple pays 19% and the French couple pays 22%.  Now what does the French family receive for their tax investment that the American family doesn’t?   The extra cost for these benefits to the American family can be enormous!  Get your calculator out, and add up the cost for the benefits below, then factor these into your tax rate percentage.  WOW!  I think that America needs to re-evaluate tax structures and what they receive in return!

Beneifits & services included in France’s income tax:

• Free health-care
• Free (or virtually free) child care
• Free tuition at every university
• Four months minimum maternity leave
• Mandatory 30 days paid vacation (full pay)
• Unlimited sick days at full pay for all citizens

“No wonder we’re mad.  Meanwhile, the French are having sex.”  (Mike’s Election Guide 2008, by Michael Moore)

Where can you find out more about this comparison and just how the French can afford this, when America is the richest nation on the planet?   You can go the book store and and pick up a copy of Michael Moore’s new book; Mike’s Election Guide 2008 !