One thing I'd like to point out is that any social group can intimidate those they see as 'other'.

Except as far as I know we get most of our oil from Canada and Mexico.

Didn't I read about that in various Heinlein novels?

I knit too. Since they're allowed on planes I always make sure to take my extra pointy sock needles on with me 'in case'.

These are separate issues. Sure "Big Pharma" does a whole heck of a lot of good in this world. However it is also true that certain drugs are over prescribed, I did a paper on the increase in use of the earlier popular antidepressants like Prozac and it was shocking how much profit they were making on that quarterly. You can't just blame the drug companies for that though since dispensing Prozac or others is more cost efficient that say paying for therapy so the HMO's really loved it. My issue is how drugs are marketed today. I think it puts doctors into a bad position to have their patients self-diagnosing and self-prescribing.

KayBee-

I didn't mean to make light of your situation. Cancer has unfortunately touched many people in my family. I too hope your have many years with your family.

I'm glad someone brought this up because I've been wondering if anyone had any good ideas on what to do now that obamacare is here. I mean people keep talking about repeal but won't the millions who are going to lose their current coverage make that politically unfeasible?

I think it tastes slightly better but I've never done a blind taste test. The yolks are more golden at least for the ones I buy.