Executivemom's Blog

Organizers were trying to get enough votes on a petition to add a change to Missouri's drinking age to the November Ballot. They will be falling short of their 100,000 needed by May for this November's ballot so they are setting their sites on 2010. The following is a report in USA Today on Missouri's efforts:

By Judy Keen, USA TODAY

Debate over lowering the drinking age is heating up in several states, fueled in part by legislators who contend that men and women who are old enough to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan are responsible enough to buy alcohol legally.

Legislation introduced in Kentucky, Wisconsin and South Carolina would lower the drinking age for military personnel only. A planned ballot initiative in Missouri would apply to everyone 18 and older. An initiative in the works in South Dakota would allow all 19- and 20-year-olds to buy low-alcohol beer.

Vermont’s legislature is considering a task force to study the issue. A Minnesota bill would allow anyone 18 and older to buy alcohol in bars or restaurants, but not in liquor stores until they’re 21.

Then today, I read a sad story about a 15 year old who is now in the ER at Children's Hospital because she had a blood alcohol level of .389 - five times the legal limit. She is lucky to be alive.
I remember when I was 18, Illinois and Florida both had 18 as their drinking age (just remember this because it made for a fun spring break)...did it make any difference? Honestly have to admit i started drinking at the age 0f 14 - never stopped or slowed us down. But, today, I don't drink...actually drank less AFTER 21 and yes, I paid a couple tickets for my choice.
So, would the change in drinking age have made any difference for this 15 year old now struggling for her life? Or was it just an immature choice she chose to make? Would this put more drunk drivers on our roads? Younger drivers are a greater risk on the roads the way it is? Do you really think the age limit slows the number of drinkers down? I'm not sure.

So, what do you think? Should we take a vote and consider lowering the drinking age?

Be SAFE out there....

Well, it's Super Tuesday...time to go exercise my right and duty as an American citizen and vote for a candidate I'm still not totally sold on yet. But, that's kinda the way it is with me during this time of the election.  So...not entirely happy with my decision yet, but it still makes me incredibly happy to go fill in the ballot. (I'll never forget the first time I voted; I was seriously like bouncing and giggling as I walked into the polling place and the little old ladies running the show thought I was the funniest thing! )

Anyway... I digress...

I thought I'd steal this awesome idea from the Blogger Who Will Remain Nameless (I can't remember, for the life of me, what blog I found this on, and I've gone and searched for it too, and still can't find it!) for my post today. Whoever it Was had her answers to this on one of her posts last week, and I knew at the time that I'd have to use it here myself soon! The challenge was to post Seven Famous People You've Met (and, if you can't come up with seven, to finish the list with some random, interesting facts about yourself). Sounded like a good idea to me, so here you go!

(And you know the drill: join in by posting your seven in my comment section!)

Here goes:   First off, a list of famous people I've met (and probably way too much information about the experiences than you really want to read!):

(1) President and Mrs. Carter.
This has to be just about the COOLEST experience I've ever had! Not because it was Carter but because he was the President, I was in the White House and I was in 8th grade - my very first trip away from home by myself with NO parents! What could be more exciting than that?  At the time, I really knew nothing about politics, couldn't really care and I left with a bag of peanuts.  What an experience.

(2) Huey Louis and the News
This one will age me a bit.  It was during a Pharma National Drug Launch Meeting, we had a competition and the winner was awarded dinner with and front row seats with Huey and the band members.  We WON!  What an event that was - the poor guys had dinner with 10 sales reps who had been trained to ask a million questions without taking a breath in between…not sure if they ever got a chance to answer anything but we talked their ears off!

(3) Sammy Hagar
Along those same lines, two years ago I had the opportunity to meet Sammy - my favorite! My husband's co-worker was working an evening job as Security Officer at our "Arena". Gotta love having "connections" - back stages passes, front row seats - the event of a life time….my sister and brother in law (who manages a wine store) gave me a bottle of Tequila that year with his signature from a trip he made into the shop - not drinking that one!

(4) Santana
Wow - another musical one that dates me but while my husband and I were dating  - early college - we were at a small stadium style theatre that has since been torn down.  Again, had friends working the box office….It was mid-week summer time.  Hot outside, not many people in the place and was very quite.  Couldn't figure out why there weren't many people in the huge theatre.  Found out that Santana and his band had rented the place for the evening while they were in town for a concert.  What a fantastic viewing of….uh….oh, well, I'm sure it was a great show but will always remember the company.

 (5) Marshall Faulk / Isaac Bruce
For you sports fans, or non-sports fans, both are players on the St Louis Rams.  Now, not bragging this year but we have had some terrific times watching them play! My Pharma Sales Manager one year, was a younger guy who had played football during college and proudly wore his Rose Bowl Ring - sharing stories with who ever would listen.  As a way of promoting our products, we worked on coordinating a program with several of his old football connections and buddies. Breakfast with Marshall and Isaac - wow it was hard to talk business and act like they were just "any other guy off the street" and not Super Bowl Winners!  Along those same lines, for 4 years running, we were top sponsors for a program entitled "Bowl-A-Rama".  This was a fundraiser for the Epilepsy Society that I worked with.  We bowled on a team with greats like Andy McCullum and Kurt Warner….as a 6 foot tall woman, amazed me how short most of the team players were!  For our annual picture, I had to kneel in the front so I wouldn't block most heads out of the pic! I was really amazed by this the first year - they look so "big" on TV and on the field from my season seats.

(6) The "Rock"
While vacationing in Hawaii with my girl friend two years ago, we were on an awards trip for top sales for our company.  These things are always elaborate and no expenses are spared.  You can always expect to stay at the top hotel where ever the trip is being offered.  So, while lounging pool side, drinking rum runners and enjoying the cool water, private tents we had and the view of the ocean….what a "view" joined us…the actor "the Rock".  He was there with a friend who turned out to be his make-up artists.  The make up artist's brother was getting married on the island two days after our first meeting.  After befriending the make up artist, we spent 3 days visiting with the Rock and the wedding party - what an incredible and fun group of people!

(7)  Some random airport sightings!
It always seem like you see someone in airports and on airplanes. While in DFW, my husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Whitey Herzog.  As a huge and life-long Cardinal's fan - what a treat for us. Miles away from home just to meet someone we had admired for years in our home town.   At yet another meeting in Indianapolis, I met some Pacer players.  Since I am not a basketball fan, my partner who was just about hyperventilating from the excitement, just about knocked me upside the back of my head when I asked - who is that and they play what sport? (okay so the man was 7 foot tall, should have told me something but…still can't remember his name - guess it's all in what you place your personal importance on huh? I have the autographs around here somewhere…)

 (8)(okay, I know, I can't count but thought I'd throw in something about me) … I LOVE thrift stores!
One of the best feelings is to come home from a thrift store excursion with some great deals and unique finds! (It also has something to do with the fact that I'm pretty cheap and really can't stand to pay full-price for anything!) Just last week, I went to a local thrift store and came home with two dresses and four or five pair of slacks, a few blouses, some Rockport shoes for me, and a pile of brand-new murder mystery books which the cashier gave to me for 39 cents each (books are my FAVE things to buy at thrift stores) - all for under $100 and many with the tags still on the outfits (okay my greatest find was a new Burberry Purse,yes it's real, for $35 - love that one! It's the "thrill of the hunt" that's the fun part!).

Well...that was FUN. It totally made me relive some good memories, and share some fun facts! Definitely better than trying to figure out who I want to vote for at the polls today! I am still leaning for the "None of the Above" box….

Now it's your turn. Take the challenge and share. I can't wait to learn something new about you!!!

The Whole Story is Now Available on Amazon.com - ESCAPE FROM THE PHARMA DRUG CARTEL by Kimberly Cheryl

Yesterday I sat with my husband in a Physician's office waiting for Botox and Cortisone injections in my neck, shoulder and back. All for an injury left from a worker's compensation automobile accident. As I sat and waited I over heard the nursing saying, "Jane, the doctor will see you now". The impeccably well groomed, cheerleading, young blonde wearing a stylish suit with a low cut blouse and high heels was quite a contrast to me and the other sweat suit clad patients waiting to see the doctor.

Jane quickly gathered her detail bag and box of doughnuts. Grinning and chattering with the receptionist at the window, she deposited her treats and a handful of scratch pads and ink pens bearing her company's logo and drug name at the nurse's station then swept past the exam rooms to the sample closet. I could hear the nurse's gleeful reception and greeting in the hallway before the door closed. This representative was obviously one of their favorites.

I had been waiting over 45 minutes in uncomfortable, uncontrollable pain to see my physician. Some of the other patients waiting had been there when I arrived. Yet, Jane had gotten here only ten minutes or so ago, had left her business card at the receptionist window and she was already in the back talking to the Physician. Probably has a lunch appointment I thought to myself….. just then the delivery boy stumbled into the office with his arms full of pizzas.

As I looked up from the latest issue of People, I allowed myself to reflect back over my career. It seemed like a lifetime ago when I had been young, naive, and ambitious enough to be one of the best in the pharmaceutical business. Just a decade ago, Jane could have easily been me.

In 1989, I had joined the pharmaceutical industry at the age of 23. I was right out of college and ready to make my mark on the corporate world. Raised in a family of medical professionals, I joined the ranks of pharmaceutical sales representatives. When I started in the industry in the late 1980's, only 1/3 of the industry was women. The companies hired intelligent good looking women. We were able to get past more receptionists, get to see more Physicians and were paid less. This was a win - win situation for the manufacturers.

I was trained and indoctrinated in a semi military style. In fact, basic sales training classes are much like boot camp and are designed to weed out the faint of heart or easily intimidated, as working with the egos of doctors can wear on even the strongest self- esteem. The trainers pushed new recruits to the breaking point, often giving them long hours of homework assignments into the night and over the weekends. Representatives must video tape sales presentations and continually test their medical product knowledge. The environment is highly competitive and large numbers do not complete all tiers of their training before dropping out from the pressure. Those that do make it are glorified as the best of the best and are then unleashed on the medical field with a false sense of bravado that soon fades.

As a member of the SKF, BMS and Novartisteams, I received extensive and phenomenal training. As a specialty and hospital representative and trainer, I participated in preceptorship learning programs that medical students participate in. Viewing surgeries, heart transplants and learning about various laboratories and testing. I can go head- to -head with any Physician out there and can hold my own on disease state and product knowledge.

Over the years, I earned incredible trips for top sales. I drove extensively to cover large territories, I mentored, trained, worked with managed health care and volunteered with a variety of local organizations. Including working with children at the local epilepsy camp, helping the local Alzheimer'sAssociation raise funds and dressing up at Christmas as Mrs Claus with my partner to hand out donated gifts we collected to young patients at our Children's Hospital.

As a younger representative, I remember the pride and exuberance I felt at national meetings in which the loud speakers pounded out motivating themed music. The medical researchers and marketing managers gave exciting emotional speeches. I soaked in every word with anticipation and awe. I believed I was going to help people. That was my goal in life!

After years of meetings though, I realized that manufacturers instructed their representatives to promote the company's products in a given manner and with a particular focus. This is called marketing direction. Each promotional period there is a "tag line" or special message that the representative is supposed to drive home with the Physician. Sales literature and visual aids are all geared toward the promotional message, and they are utilized in role plays until the presentations flow naturally.

Representatives are taught to handle and minimize the objections physicians might have. They are given the specific wording that best represents the company's position. If a visual aid initiates too many negative questions from the Physician, the bar graph, product errors and so forth are reworked for the next sales quarter in a way that presents the information in a more favorable light. I soon learned the manipulative advantage of semantics in research is called statistics. (And in medical studies, statistics can be spun any way you want them to be spun. If they can't be spun to the company's advantage, the study is lost or buried so far behind other material it is never found or seen).

In spite of the voluntary guidelines instituted by the PDMA several years ago which require that gifts given to doctors remain of nominal value, reps make generous contributions to office parties, fund-raisers, and speaking engagements with the assistance of corporate funds. Even the most ethical, prudent practitioner can be influenced by interacting with a pharmaceutical rep. Sometimes even against his/her better judgment.

The ethical arguments about the relationship between individual physicians and reps have often been stated badly or at least incompletely. Those opposing cozy relationships often speak as if the reps are evil people or are guilty of moral wrong doing. Standard arguments also portray physicians as akin to putty in the hands of the reps. This portrayal elicited a rebuttal that appeared in the Wall Street Journalin response to an article about a campaign by medical students to banish reps from teaching hospitals– that these arguments cast reps "as schemers with more money than sense and doctors as easily manipulated marionettes. The goal of the pharmaceutical industry is to increase its profits, which includes persuading physicians to prescribe more of the most expensive drugs." Continually rising drug costs are not in the best interests of the patient population as a whole, and the most expensive or most heavily marketed drug may not be the best alternative for any given patient. A current example of this can be found in the State of Texasrequiring girls between the ages of 11 – 13 to have the vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer. Yes, my 13 is vaccinated but is was my choice – not a choice that was made for me through legislators who are influenced through monies given to them by the pharmaceutical companies. With every 11 – 13 year old girl in this country being vaccinated, how much guaranteed revenuedo you think that will bring in for the manufacturer?

Representatives are not evil, but they are time-consuming and serve interests that often are at odds with those of the patients.

Over the years as my knowledge base grew from the specialized training I received, I started to better understand the drugs and the effect they had on the body systems. I also became more adept at interpreting clinical trial data and laboratory results. I realized that drugs which were nominally effective were touted as phenomenal and side effects and drug interactions were minimalized. I observed drugs being over utilized, over dosed, and improperly promoted "off label" for indications that were yet untested and / or unapproved. I watched as year after year the FDA approved dangerous drugs that were later removed from the market. I observed the defensive cover-ups and posturing employed by the industry to save their own reputations. But most importantly, I witnessed the demise of fair-balanced education in medicine.

This once prestigious industry has left me with many haunting images – disturbing experiences that have completely altered my perception of medicine and the institutions that guard its ethical practice. I started awakening to the truth about the greed, deception, and corruption that permeated my industry.

Recently, in a new territory, on one of my first meetings with a physician, this professional proceeded to tell me he would not do business with me unless I "worked with him". He threw a deck of business cards out on his desk with the names of various representatives that "work" with him and suggested I call them to discuss their rankings. He then proposed $150 / month as a fee and I could get all of his business in my product class.

In my years in the field, I have been sexually propositioned in exchange for business (in graphic detail), I have been groped and kissed on the lips by professional medical speakers before they left town and this is just a taste of the inappropriate behavior I have been subjected to with no recourse or concern from my management as long as numbers were coming in.

I have become a part-time caterer working over 60 hours a week and sometimes more with weekend seminars. My days begin with breakfast and grand rounds meetings and end with several late night dinner programs a week. After that, I get to go home (forget the bed time stories with the kids) and do paperwork until 2 or 3 am – generating reports that management will never read. Since we work out of our homes, we are on call 365 days a year 24/7.

I have worked hard. I have been honest on sales call reporting and expense reporting (something many sales reps take advantage of). I have subscribed to numerous medical journals and prided myself for my product and disease state knowledge in my areas of expertise. In the end, all the hard work, dedication, and loyalty meant nothing when the chips were down. The companies always look out for their own best interests – even when they caused the issues and problems. Instead of supporting their staff that is making them money, they support management. Sadly, I have watched as CYA has become the rule of the day and ethics have gone right out the window!

Don't fool yourself into thinking it's the representatives and physicians who are all to blame in this disastrous downfall of our health care industry. The United States health care system is killing Americans at an alarming rate, even though we spend over fifteen percent of the Gross National Product (GNP) on health care. Millions of children throughout the nation suffer needless pain because their parents lack health insurance and cannot afford to take them to the doctor. Millions of the elderly suffer similar pain because they cannot afford the prescription medication they rely upon to survive.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, our health care outcomes ranked only fifteenth among twenty-five industrialized nations worldwide. Adverse effects from prescription drugs have become the third-leading killer of Americans. Only heart disease and cancer claim more lives. We trust our doctors to inform us and our government to protect us from medical malfeasance that may put profits ahead of consumer health and safety. But the fine line walked by the FDA between the interests of the pharmaceutical manufacturers and the American public has continually been crossed. The result is the unleashing of an unprecedented number of lethal drugs on the U.S. market!

Since 1998, drug companies have spent $758 million on lobbying – more than any other industry according to government records analyzed by the Center for Public Integrity The industry had 1,274 lobbyists – more than two for every member of Congress.They are Powerful!

Over the years, these lobbyists have been very successful, demonstrating that the industry knows politics as well as it knows chemicals. Drug companies won coverage for prescriptions drugs under Medicare 2003 while blocking the government from negotiating price downward. And they have protected a system that uses company fees to speed the drug-approval process. The industry's deep inroads into the government are rooted in its dependence on federal decisions. The government determines which products drug companies can market and how they're labeled. The government buys massive quantities of drugs through Medicare, the VA and other programs. With the new Medicare prescription benefit plan of 2006, the government began paying for 41% of American's drug bills, up from 24%. In addition to its lobbyists, pharmaceutical makers are among the top donors to national political campaigns and conventions – favoring republicans 2 to 1 – giving away approximately 7.3 million dollars just for events and gatherings. To me, this seems to be a huge conflict of interest and detrimental to patient treatment outcomes.

Yes, I do agree it is very expensive to bring a new, innovative drug to market – somewhere in the ballpark of $1 billion. On the other hand, this industry wastes more money in one month on lobbyists, Fed Exshipments, cheap pens and too many uneducated sales reps with no purpose it's unbelievable. In addition, drug makers sell their message through TV advertising. During 2003-4 they spent a combined $45.1 million dollars on advertising on TV alone.

Due to the lax regulatory environment that the pharmaceutical industry has operated in, it is no wonder that they have come under increased public scrutiny. With all this in mind, it is also not surprising that Pfizer has recently received a letter from the AIDS Healthcare FoundationPresident Michael Weinstein stating:

After repeated attempts to engage Pfizeron the negative impact of its
marketing and advertising strategy and tactics for its erectile
dysfunction drug, Viagra, there has been no recognition by your
organization of the documented correlation between Viagra and the recent
rise in sexually transmitted diseases and HIV in men who have sex with
men. In addition, Pfizer has made no attempt to address this alarming
trend.

By not taking responsibility for the dangers resulting from the use of
Viagra, a blockbuster drug that has generated revenues of $1.65 billion
worldwide in 2006, Pfizer does not demonstrate corporate citizenship and
responsibility appropriate for an organization that profits from the
public's health. It is clear that Pfizer's efforts to educate and inform
consumers on its products are without regard for the safety of the
consumer, and therefore have no place in the patient-centered environment
AIDS Healthcare Foundationprovides.

Please inform your representatives that they will no longer be granted
access to AHF's 13 Healthcare Centers." Pfizer is once again pushing the advertising envelope with Viagra ads that encourage recreational use of the drug rather than address and treat a diagnosed medical condition, and in the process, we believe
Pfizer is ultimately jeopardizing the public health and wellbeing with its
Viagra advertising campaigns. This is why we are banning Pfizer's drug
representatives from our clinics and why we filed the lawsuit." Pfizer has engaged in and continues to engage in this conduct despite clear evidence of its illegality and harmful effects."

This volatile industry as a whole definitely needs some leadership.

The Nurses' voice brought my attention back to the present and reality. The reality is that I have spent the last 18 years contributing every waking moment to my profession. One that used to be a large caring family. One I was proud to say I was a part of. I have spent my life volunteering, educating, entertaining and helping others. Recently, sadly, I have had to come to the realization that I've contributed to lining the pockets of a multitude of uncaring CEOs who are guaranteed "golden parachutes" should something happen to their company position and may have unknowingly caused harm to the thousands of trusting, innocent people I had started out to help.

On top of all of this, I am now unemployed due to discrimination against me as a result of an automobile accident during work hours - while bringing in top sales and money for Sepracor pharmaceuticals, I was harassed by management – reported it to HR and top management and was then retaliated against and terminated. I have two children and a disabled husband that I care for. We have no income as I wait for neck surgery to have 2 of 6 injured discs fused. We have no insurance due to my husband's pre-existing condition. We can't afford the $1500 a month for COBRA on top of our other bills with no income. In addition my husband has over $1000 a month in prescription bills alone.

Sadly, I'm not alone. This industry would rather spend money on lawsuits than function with professionalism and integrity. Ultimately, we will all pay with higher drug prices. I can't afford more expensive drugs – Can You?!

We don't live lavishly. We represent the middle class. We work hard for what we have. We pay our taxes and our bills. We don't waste money. We save for our children's college education and retirement. We donate our time and resources to the United Wayand our Church to help the less fortunate. We value honesty, education and hard work.

Today, we are selling things off in our home – precious keep sakes – just to pay the bills and hopefully find medical coverage. This middle class family is now on its way to welfare support because of frivolous law suits that allow people who spill hot coffee on themselves to win millions in damages (when the idea of coffee is that it's hot). Yet, when hard working individuals are hurt by corporations, The federal government, the corporation nor anyone else seems to care until it happens to them! It can happen way too quickly - are you prepared?!

Write your Senators, Write your Congressmen – stop these companies and other like them from continuing to lie to and harm the citizens of this country. If we as a country continue to be in denial, our drug costs will continue to increase.

Politicians are always promising Americans access to things like education and better health care. Where have these promises led? Don't let the drug companies buy our legislators and researchers – Speak UP – we are the wealthiest country in the world and deserve to have a middle class that isn't afraid of losing their job every other day and we deserve the best medical care possible for ALL of our citizens!! 

Here is my continued story that is a bigger piece of news for you than just one case of injustice…what about a County's Prosecuting Attorney's office that fails to prosecute multiple cases because they may be challenging?  Do you realize that there are so many cases in the St Louis County courthouse that they can pick and choose which cases they feel are the best "winners"?  What is their deciding factor? ? What makes those with Rape / molestation cases less than others? Yes, harder to prove but no less a case - just ask the victims.  Ignoring these "harder to prosecute cases" doesn't eliminate the suffering the victims endure or the long-term cost and consequences to society.

 Unfortunately, over 90% of our danger comes from within our own homes which is a very sad and scary figure.  This is our "safe spot".  In saying this, I urged my child to be honest with the police and tell her story - as uncomfortable and embarrassing as it was.  She even had an aunt and older cousin of mine who went to the police (after staying quiet for over 20 years and never sharing their stories of rape/ molestation  just to support her and her story!! There are currently 5 known victims but I'm sure with the time period over which these incidents occurred there are many, many more who have been affected since most molesters have victim counts into the double digits before they are caught and someone speaks up).

 As an educator for safety and Rape/ abduction training, I urge parents to visit the sex offender web site.  Here is my problem with the web site- it gives the public a false sense of security - IF I CAN NOT GET THE OFFENDER CHARGED AND PROSECUTED - HE WILL NOT BE ON THE WEB SITE….There are limitations to this type of system.  If only 10% of these cases are actually reported, then these numbers are limited by that as well. 

I am told that only 1 in 16 cases of molestation are prosecuted and of that only 6% of those offenders ever spend a day in jail.  What happens with those other 15? They are let back out onto our streets to reoffend until finally they hurt someone bad enough that they are put into jail - or what would be best along with incarceration - get the treatment and the help they need! And our victims, are we to let them grow up to become potential perpetrators themselves because we don't support their choice to tell?

This is a repeat offender - it just happens this is the first time someone was brave enough to speak up against him!  He continues to prey on children and live in our neighborhood and work in multiple towns all over Missouri.  He is well liked, friendly, well educated and very pompous. He thinks he has "gotten away with it" once again.  Over the Christmas holiday, he will be put in charge of 2 young granddaughters who are of the age he preys on.  We are "handing him victims" because no one wants to do anything about this and his family has been advised by his attorney to not talk to any of us or listen to our accusations - which until a formal charge is made - that is what this is, an accusation (I can't even put his picture or name out there to find other victims to support our case because that would be liable) The police in charge have no idea why this wasn't prosecuted a long time ago.

In my research, here is the BIG problem that I have with our legal system and it's form of justice.  We have given the prosecuting attorney full power to "choose" which cases he would like to prosecute or not.  In doing that, in a town like St Louis county, we allow him to choose which cases he feels are only "winners"  - not cases that "could be"... cases that might bring justice for the victims and the removal of a predator off the streets.  After spending 18 years in the pharmaceutical industry and working with drug studies, I know all too well how things are skewed to look better to the public!  If you only try cases that you know will win for you - then, when it  comes time for reelection and for funding - you can "prove" your successful track record. Not so easy for small towns to do but for one as big as ours, very easy to "play with the numbers" and make them work in your favor rather than you having to "work" on the tougher cases.  A very similar thing happened not too long ago in St Louis City when they were only writing Rape Memos rather than full reports (a story was done on this in the St Louis Post-Dispatch).  That way, when the FBI pulled statistics on crime rates in the city, they were lower.  Just different ways of making the "outside appear one way while the inside really was something else".

Again, I hope this is not the case but as I speak with many people - newspaper reporters, YWCA employees, police, 5 other families who are in my "same shoes", this is the same story over and over.  Cases not being prosecuted …  we have not been given a real reason why charges have not been filed yet!  With a sister who is an attorney and my husband having spent 18 years in State Law Enforcement, we know the system and have taught our children to respect the law and the judicial process. 

                       Story from a letter of response to my daughter's letter in addition to the aforementioned cases:  First let me say that reading your daughter's story TRULY brought tears to my eyes.

Especially because my kidnapping and rape as an adolescent occurred in St. Louis County (and also child abuse reports when I was in Junior High living in St. Louis County).  All was reported to the police.  I didn't learn until 3 years ago that when I wanted some answers that I found out that the police never even followed up on a suspect that was reported to be the perpetrator.  The detective I spoke with 3 years ago (the one at the time is long gone) said, "Oh well, those things fall through the cracks sometimes".  3 years ago I learned that they even "misplaced" my dna evidence.  I could go on and on.  But from reading your daughter's story, I know that you understand.

  My niece has been attending  College (she is a survivor of CSA by her biological father)  (The courts did nothing for her either.  Her only justice came because her biological father over the years sexually assaulted boys and girls and eventually got caught and sent to prison....NOT from cases in St. Louis County.  Currently, he's a registered sex offender.  But that's because the state of Kentucky finally did something about it!) 

TODAY, that process has let my daughter down.  Basically the St Louis County Prosecuting Attorney is saying - you are a victim of crime and we are not going to do anything for you!  How do I explain to a 13 year old that if you steal cars, you will go to jail.  Actually, if you fight dogs (an awful event!), you are now treated harsher than if you inflict pain on another human. What hypocrisy. Are we so desensitized to acts of violence against humans that we can sit by and do nothing as children suffer?

 In St Louis County, if you molest children and hurt them - you are free to roam the street and no one really seems to care because this person was not a stranger (the cases that get the publicity and public's attention because we can all identify with the "boogey man"/ stereotypical bad guy rather than the fun, loving, upstanding citizen who happens to "like" little girls? Wasn't Ted Bundy the same sort of person? One no one ever "thought could do such a thing"?  He was so nice?)

So, how is it that we seek justice for my case, the 5 other cases I know of, and several that I'm sure we haven't uncovered?  What makes my daughter any less a victim than someone who has had their car stolen?  Yes, I do realize that with auto theft it is easier to prosecute because you have fingerprints, etc but we have a witness who testified to "inappropriate behavior" which is what promoted the "mandatory reporting" in the first place.

If I had a choice, I would not have put my child through the "hell" she has been through of making a report and then not knowing the outcome - the constant tears and nightmares.  Why do we have mandatory reporting if we aren't going to do anything?  It does not speak very highly of our Prosecuting Attorney's office (And aren't these elected officials - shouldn't they be working for us as voters and citizens?).  I will be looking into how many cases are reported and how many actually are prosecuted when it comes to this sort of act.  I know it is harder to work but makes these children no less victims than anyone else. What an awful message we send to our young ones - they are worth less than cars?! That our judicial system doesn't work for them and they are not only victims of assault but are also now victims of yet another political campaign strategy?

If you can help us get our case at least charged, that is what we are looking for.  If we don't win then that's for a judge and jury to decide not the Prosecutor's office.  We want this man's name out there on that registry to warn so very many others that he comes into contact with.  If we lose, well at least my child knows that we have done all we can to support her and her victimization. 

How do we and other suffering families get our voices heard in a system that doesn't want to listen?  If we don't speak up for our children, WHO WILL? 

Aug 4th -

Kids 1 - Bush 0 A big thank you to all!

Last night, thanks to the tireless efforts of activists across the country, the Senate sharply rebuked the President and voted to renew the State Children's Health Insurance Program by a vote of 68 to 31.

Over two-thirds of the Senate shrugged off repeated Presidential threats and demonstrated that the health of America's children is not a Republican or Democratic issue, but an issue that unites the majority of the American people.

In large part, the decisive vote in the Senate was a direct reaction to the outpouring of grassroots support for our kids' health that has been felt in every Congressional office for months.

This is your victory.

To see how your Senators voted please click here.

Please take a moment to call your Senators at 1-800-828-0498 and express your appreciation for their vote on behalf of children or your displeasure with their unwillingness to support kids' health care.

The Senate vote follows Wednesday's equally important 225 to 204 vote in the House of Representatives to renew the program and cover millions of children.

To see how your Representative in the House voted please click here.

Please call your Representative at 1-800-828-0498 and tell them, depending on their vote, how thankful or disappointed you are for their actions on behalf of children.

There is much more work to be done before this legislation is enacted into law, but today, thanks to your hard work, we celebrate an important intermediate victory for children's health care in this country.

To all of you - a huge thank you. Your efforts made a tremendous difference.

And in other personal exciting news on the health care front and my new book: ESCAPE FROM THE PHARMA CARTEL - I have been accepted as a speaker to the University of Strathclye International Conference - Glasgow, Scotland " Communication and Conflict: Propaganda, Spin and Lobbying in the Global Age" - Now to earn the money to attend :) - Maybe we can learn from others how to improve our system here!!!

Have a Wonderful and SAFE weekend (don't forget to follow your safety tips!)

The Senate Finance Committee, in an unusual display of unity across party lines, overwhelmingly approved legislation yesterday to provide health care to 4 million American children who would otherwise be left without it. In response, President George Bush declared he would veto the bill.

Please call 1-800-828-0498 or email your Senators and Representative and urge them to oppose the President and pass a children's health bill that protects America's kids.

The President's threat has even startled Republican Senate leaders Chuck Grassley and Orrin Hatch who earlier called it, "disappointing, even a little unbelievable." (7/12/07)

Unfortunately, the other group who stands to be disappointed by this Presidential threat is the 4 million American children whose healthy development depend on the regular check-ups and care the President's veto will deny them.

The bill approved today by the Senate Committee provides $35 billion in new money for children's health. This falls short of the amount promised in the Congressional budget and still leaves way too many children without coverage. Still, for the mothers and fathers of 4 million American children this bill quite literally represents the answer to their prayers. That's why the full Senate must pass the Committee's proposal. And there's reason for optimism that the House of Representatives will improve on the children's health bill when they take up the issue in the next week or so.

Please call 1-800-828-0498 or email your Senators and House Representative and urge them to oppose the President and pass a children's health bill that protects the health of America's children.

And for those people who support publicly-funded health care coverage programs like S-CHIP or Medicare, Bush's explanation for why he wants to kill the children's insurance program might prove interesting.

"My concern," Bush was quoted in the Washington Post as saying, "is that when you expand eligibility ... you're really beginning to open up an avenue for people to switch from private insurance to the government."

Bush insists that private insurance is better and provides the best medical care available; public programs are inefficient and provide questionable care at best. So why would people want to leave private insurance?

If private insurance is so great, why would working families be lured by something so obviously inferior? Shouldn't people be so "dependent" on such a perfect private system that they never want to leave it? It is possible that Bush and his advisers believe working families are stupid or don't care for their children as much as well-off families do.

But if Bush doesn't think this, then his comment suggests some other deep-rooted fear. He is worried that an effective and popular program like S-CHIP might actually be better than private insurance, and he needs to nip it in the bud before it becomes universal. Indeed, his real problem is that S-CHIP provides working families with a means to afford coverage that doesn't allow private insurance companies to raise premiums arbitrarily or to exclude those people who need coverage the most: the sick.

Author: Escape from the Pharma Cartel - due soon on a bookshelf near you - health care from the inside!