Zyg's post brings up an interesting point.

However, if the article he posted is true, why is it that other countries have sources for vaccines? And they operate under socialized health care, not "for profit" health care. And we all know "socialized health care" and all "socialism" is BAD! Right?

Why is it that THEY can produce vaccine under "price controls" but American sources can't? Why does it "cost" our sources more to produce the same product than it does theirs?

What is the bulk of our sources' "costs"? Could it be... oh, salaries for CEO's and other top executives? Could it be, dividends to stock holders? Where, oh where, does all that money go? And how could it be done more cost effectively?

Perhaps those big shot rich guys should consider, oh, a fifty percent reduction in their salaries and bonuses? Think they might be able to eke out a living on $300K or $500K a year, instead of $600k or a cool million a year?

How much money is made in the stock market on pharmaceuticals(sp?)? Think maybe they could cut their profit margins a bit and pay their stock holders a few million dollars a year less in dividends?

I bet they could "afford" to produce those vaccines then! :p

Think maybe our interest in PUBLIC HEALTH outweighs our interest in makin' a buck? I'm not suggesting they should do it all for free, they can still turn a profit and pay their honchos a decent wage, but shouldn't the line be drawn somewhere?

I mean, we're not talking about luxury items here, we're not talking about sports cars, plasma TV's, designer clothes, jewelry, vacation homes, private jets, gourmet restaurants...

we're talking about MEDICINE and HEALTH CARE, FOR CHRISSAKE!!! We're the wealthiest, most powerful nation in the history of the world, and WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE AND MEDICINE FOR EVERYONE???

Let some rich guy DIE from the flu, and WATCH HOW FAST WE HAVE ALL THE VACCINE WE COULD EVER NEED!!!!

This whole f****d up situation MAKES ME SICK!!!!