GOP actions favor big contributors
It didn't take long. In the last two weeks, the new Republican clout in Congress resulted in a huge giveaway to pharmaceutical companies at the potential expense of autistic children and the defeat of any extension of unemployment benefits for the needy ("Jobless benefits are not extended," Nov. 23).
The Homeland Security Act retroactively eliminates claims by children for autism that may have been caused by additives to vaccines. Of course, that has nothing to do with homeland security. But it makes the pharmaceutical manufacturers big winners.
Yet Congress took no action to extend unemployment benefits, which for many people now will end a few days after Christmas.
Is there any wonder what the holidays will be like in those homes?
It is doubtful that the swing voters who gave the Republicans control of Congress out of deference to President Bush understood that this was the type of agenda that they were empowering.
But just follow the money and it makes sense. Pharmaceutical manufacturers have shoveled funds into the Republican Party. Children and the unemployed are not able to make contributions.
Mitch Lambros
Towson
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