I already have a good idea of who's taking money from who, but
OpenSecrets.org has it all so nicely organized in black-and-white with lovely charts. There's no way you can look at the information presented and honestly believe Obama and the Democrats were ever actually interested in real health care reform. The truth hurts:
"The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry stands to lose if President Barack Obama’s plan to institute a public health insurance option succeeds. A government-run plan, because of its size, would have considerable negotiating power to draw down drug prices." Not to mention, HMOs hate the public option (and of course single-payer, but that was never on the table because Obama
doesn't know how to negotiate didn't want it, either).
The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry gave money to Republicans more than Democrats in previous years (about 70-30 during the Bush administration), but that changed in 2008 when health care reform became a big talking point during the Presidential election. Suddenly, Democrats and Republicans were about neck-and-neck. So far for 2010, Democratic candidates are receiving more than Republicans (55-44).
So it's no surprise it was the
Democrats who killed the drug reimportation amendement (which would bring down prices), and got rid of the public option in the Senate bill in order to make Lieberman happy. (Funny how Obama can get the liberal Democrats in line, but Republicans and Blue Dogs get whatever they want.)
Also, Obama was
the top recipient of money from the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in 2008 all the while talking about "hope and change." The second top recipient was Hillary Clinton, and third John McCain. Notice the more they talk about "reform," the more money they get to shoot reform in the foot?
HMOs show a similar pattern as the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, unsurprisingly. Prior to the 2008 election and health care reform talk, money flowed more to Republicans than Democrats (about 60-40). Now, this part is amazing: in 2006, 38% went to Democrats, 60% to Republicans. In 2008, the numbers
flipped, and 60% went to Democrats, 40% to Republicans. 2010 thus far is continuing the trend, with 66% given to Democrats.
Any guesses who was the top recipient? Barack Obama, of course, followed by Hillary Clinton, and John McCain.
It's kind of hard to be a "fierce advocate" of anything when Obama's been bought out before he even set foot in the White House. Welcome to how our political system
actually works. Obama's not playing twelve-dimensional chess, we are not taking "baby steps" in the right direction, and it doesn't matter who we vote for. Cheers.