Supplement industry boosts Romney campaign by $4.5M

BenBurch · 17th July 2012, 05:39 PM

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ing/56282928/1

Quote:

WASHINGTON – Executives with companies selling everything from energy drinks to weight-loss pills made from African mango-seed extracts are among the ranks of Republican Mitt Romney's top fundraisers, a USA TODAY analysis shows.

Overall, individuals and companies with ties to the nutritional and dietary supplement industry have poured more than $4.5 million into campaign accounts benefiting Romney's presidential ambitions, federal records show. The spending comes as the industry is at odds with the Food and Drug Administration over proposed rules that would govern the use of new dietary ingredients.

<SNIP>

Isn't this just *********** unbelievable?

To stoop so low as to make common cause with people whose products have almost no basis in science, and which more often do harm to the consumer than good to the consumer.

The "health food" industry is corrupt from the bottom up, and should be BANNED not regulated.

I suppose a faithful Mormon who has never questioned the lies he was indoctrinated with by the LDS will never be able to understand what "woo" is.

Magyar · 17th July 2012, 06:47 PM

I don't know, I think this is the most honest (in terms of consistency of his position) he's done since - well ever. Doesn't this industry basically represent all that is "best" in the free market. After ALL it isn't science or the govt that should be responsible for protecting consumers against theives, liars and con men (heck look at wall street) It's the consumers responsibility to educate themselves and empower themselves so that they can make their OWN choices and take responsibility for them. Getting the govt or science (that pastion of elitism) envolved in the daily lives of good honest 'murkins is down right evil.

shemp · 17th July 2012, 06:48 PM

I don't mean this to be snarky, but, for contrast, how much did they give to Obama?

BenBurch · 18th July 2012, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by shemp

I don't mean this to be snarky, but, for contrast, how much did they give to Obama?

In think the point of the story is that they won't support Obama because he wants to haul them up short in favor of evidence-based medicine.

The woo medical field has been opposing Obama for quite some time.

The Central Scrutinizer · 18th July 2012, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ing/56282928/1

Isn't this just *********** unbelievable?

To stoop so low as to make common cause with people whose products have almost no basis in science, and which more often do harm to the consumer than good to the consumer.

The "health food" industry is corrupt from the bottom up, and should be BANNED not regulated.

I suppose a faithful Mormon who has never questioned the lies he was indoctrinated with by the LDS will never be able to understand what "woo" is.

So it's a scandal when a legal industry gives money to a candidate?

I realize that there has recently been several gigantic, huge stories about Romney, some even lasting almost 3 days, but I don't think this will be one of them.

BenBurch · 18th July 2012, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

So it's a scandal when a legal industry gives money to a candidate?

I realize that there has recently been several gigantic, huge stories about Romney, some even lasting almost 3 days, but I don't think this will be one of them.

It's a scandal when your ethics are so lax as to deal with this industry even if it is legal. And it shouldn't BE legal.

Might as well cozy up with the psychics. That's legal.

Or the chiropractors. That's legal.

Neither one would speak well of a candidate.

Drudgewire · 18th July 2012, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

Or the chiropractors. That's legal.

Neither one would speak well of a candidate.

Yeah... about that.

http://www.opensecrets.org/industrie....php?ind=H1500

Quote:

American Chiropractic Assn

2012 Total political contributions to candidates, parties and outside groups - $194,475

Democratic - 62%

Republican - 38%

Source of donation (individuals or PAC) - PAC

Overall Chiropractic industry contributions $601,735:

Dem - 54%

Rep - 46%

Also the ACA had been more supportive of Republicans for the three election cycles prior to 2008. Just sayin'.

schplurg · 18th July 2012, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

It's a scandal when your ethics are so lax as to deal with this industry even if it is legal. And it shouldn't BE legal.

Might as well cozy up with the psychics. That's legal.

Or the chiropractors. That's legal.

Neither one would speak well of a candidate.

Oh come on now! This is ridiculous! What candidate does not take funds from companies that some people consider "evil"? Oil companies. Pharmaceuticals. Get real.

Drudgewire · 18th July 2012, 03:15 PM

Also that's a wide range of products to be haphazzardly lumping together as "woo." Energy drinks? As one who consumes a lot of jager bombs I can vouch for their effectiveness.

Puppycow · 18th July 2012, 11:30 PM

You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though?

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/head2head.php?ql3

Quote:

Top Contributors

Barack Obama (D)
1 Microsoft Corp $387,395
2 University of California $330,258
3 DLA Piper $306,727
4 Google Inc $271,300
5 Sidley Austin LLP $257,296

Mitt Romney (R)
1 Goldman Sachs $593,080
2 JPMorgan Chase & Co $467,089
3 Bank of America $425,100
4 Morgan Stanley $399,850
5 Credit Suisse Group $390,360

Romney's top 5 contributors are all Wall Street Banks! And the #5 contributor gave him more than Obama's #1 contributor.

BenBurch · 19th July 2012, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by Puppycow

You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though?

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/head2head.php?ql3

Romney's top 5 contributors are all Wall Street Banks! And the #5 contributor gave him more than Obama's #1 contributor.

Sidley Austin LLP is, I believe, the law firm Barack met Michelle at, so of course will be full of their friends.

Polaris · 19th July 2012, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Puppycow

You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though?

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/head2head.php?ql3

Romney's top 5 contributors are all Wall Street Banks! And the #5 contributor gave him more than Obama's #1 contributor.

FFS...

I work for one of Romney's five. Glad to know that we can pony up nearly half a million for that pile of clothes while we have a hiring and raise-freeze.

Howie Felterbush · 19th July 2012, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Puppycow

You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though?

Beerina · 23rd July 2012, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by shemp

I don't mean this to be snarky, but, for contrast, how much did they give to Obama?

Seriously. Alternative medicine is one of the Democrats' pet woos.

Puppycow · 23rd July 2012, 02:22 AM

Tell me if I'm wrong, but I believe that one difference in who the candidates will accept money from is that Obama doesn't accept donations from lobbyists or "special interest PACs", but Romney does.

According to Politifact it's "half true." Yes, they use a narrow definition of "lobbyist", i.e., a registered lobbyist, but that seems to be the only bright line that is easy to draw. some people do fall into a grey area, like Newt Gingrich, who never officially registered as a lobbyist, but it would be very hard for a campaign to make that determination on a case-by-case basis.

So the Obama campaign does at least seem to have some standards about who they will accept money from. As far as I can tell, the Romney campaign will accept money from just about anyone willing to give them money, as long as it's not illegal.

Neally · 23rd July 2012, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by Puppycow

You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though?

http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/head2head.php?ql3

Romney's top 5 contributors are all Wall Street Banks! And the #5 contributor gave him more than Obama's #1 contributor.

Yeah because the Wall Street would never give to BO. Oh wait...

Quote:

Tell me if I'm wrong, but I believe that one difference in who the candidates will accept money from is that Obama doesn't accept donations from lobbyists or "special interest PACs", but Romney does.

BO has sure had no problem with PAC money in the past, as per my previous link.

thaiboxerken · 23rd July 2012, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by Beerina

Seriously. Alternative medicine is one of the Democrats' pet woos.

It's woo that many people across the spectrum buy into, just like religion.

JoeTheJuggler · 23rd July 2012, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

In think the point of the story is that they won't support Obama because he wants to haul them up short in favor of evidence-based medicine.

I don't think that's a fair assumption. Many corporate donors hedge their donations by giving to both candidates. I would be surprised if no one in that broad category didn't donate to the Obama campaign.

I saw nothing in the story that indicated Obama received no donations from members of this industry.

The only point the story made about Obama was that, in contrast to Romney, he's been making his list of donors public.

carlitos · 24th July 2012, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

It's a scandal when your ethics are so lax as to deal with this industry even if it is legal. And it shouldn't BE legal.

Might as well cozy up with the psychics. That's legal.

Or the chiropractors. That's legal.

Neither one would speak well of a candidate.

I couldn't find any psychics on opensecrets.org, and the homeopathic pharmacists didn't list data by party.

http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/look...764&cycle=2012

Quote:

American Chiropractic Assn Summary
Date of last report June 30, 2012
2012 PAC Contribution Data
Contributions from this PAC to federal candidates (list recipients)
(65% to Democrats, 35% to Republicans)

Organic Consumer Association and Organic Trade Association gave to almost all Democrats.

Good for the journalists that wrote this article. Slagging through these records is a pain.

carlitos · 25th July 2012, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer

I realize that there has recently been several gigantic, huge stories about Romney, some even lasting almost 3 days, but I don't think this will be one of them.

You called it.

17th July 2012, 05:39 PM	#1
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,219	Supplement industry boosts Romney campaign by $4.5M http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ing/56282928/1 Quote: WASHINGTON – Executives with companies selling everything from energy drinks to weight-loss pills made from African mango-seed extracts are among the ranks of Republican Mitt Romney's top fundraisers, a USA TODAY analysis shows. Overall, individuals and companies with ties to the nutritional and dietary supplement industry have poured more than $4.5 million into campaign accounts benefiting Romney's presidential ambitions, federal records show. The spending comes as the industry is at odds with the Food and Drug Administration over proposed rules that would govern the use of new dietary ingredients. <SNIP> Isn't this just *********** unbelievable? To stoop so low as to make common cause with people whose products have almost no basis in science, and which more often do harm to the consumer than good to the consumer. The "health food" industry is corrupt from the bottom up, and should be BANNED not regulated. I suppose a faithful Mormon who has never questioned the lies he was indoctrinated with by the LDS will never be able to understand what "woo" is.
	__________________ Are you IN? Join the IN crowd now!

17th July 2012, 06:47 PM	#2
Magyar Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: the edge of reason Posts: 1,548	I don't know, I think this is the most honest (in terms of consistency of his position) he's done since - well ever. Doesn't this industry basically represent all that is "best" in the free market. After ALL it isn't science or the govt that should be responsible for protecting consumers against theives, liars and con men (heck look at wall street) It's the consumers responsibility to educate themselves and empower themselves so that they can make their OWN choices and take responsibility for them. Getting the govt or science (that pastion of elitism) envolved in the daily lives of good honest 'murkins is down right evil.
	__________________ "There is no heresy or no philosophy which is so abhorrent to the church as a human being." James Joyce Due to recent cutbacks the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.

17th July 2012, 06:48 PM	#3
shemp Timothy, Timothy, where on earth did you go? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: trapped in a cave-in with Joe Posts: 12,893	I don't mean this to be snarky, but, for contrast, how much did they give to Obama?
	__________________ Church on Sunday, sleep and nod Tryin' to duck the wrath of God Preacher's fillin' us with fright Tryin' to tell us what he thinks is right He really got to be some kind of nut (I can't use it!) Tryin' to make it real - compared to what?

18th July 2012, 05:12 AM	#4
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,219	Originally Posted by shemp I don't mean this to be snarky, but, for contrast, how much did they give to Obama? In think the point of the story is that they won't support Obama because he wants to haul them up short in favor of evidence-based medicine. The woo medical field has been opposing Obama for quite some time.
	__________________ Are you IN? Join the IN crowd now!

18th July 2012, 10:39 AM	#6
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,219	Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer So it's a scandal when a legal industry gives money to a candidate? I realize that there has recently been several gigantic, huge stories about Romney, some even lasting almost 3 days, but I don't think this will be one of them. It's a scandal when your ethics are so lax as to deal with this industry even if it is legal. And it shouldn't BE legal. Might as well cozy up with the psychics. That's legal. Or the chiropractors. That's legal. Neither one would speak well of a candidate.
	__________________ Are you IN? Join the IN crowd now!

18th July 2012, 09:42 AM	#5
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,278	Originally Posted by BenBurch http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ing/56282928/1 Isn't this just *********** unbelievable? To stoop so low as to make common cause with people whose products have almost no basis in science, and which more often do harm to the consumer than good to the consumer. The "health food" industry is corrupt from the bottom up, and should be BANNED not regulated. I suppose a faithful Mormon who has never questioned the lies he was indoctrinated with by the LDS will never be able to understand what "woo" is. So it's a scandal when a legal industry gives money to a candidate? I realize that there has recently been several gigantic, huge stories about Romney, some even lasting almost 3 days, but I don't think this will be one of them.
	__________________ If I see somebody with a gun on a plane? I'll kill him.

18th July 2012, 11:04 AM	#7
Drudgewire Critical Doofus Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9,434	Originally Posted by BenBurch Or the chiropractors. That's legal. Neither one would speak well of a candidate. Yeah... about that. http://www.opensecrets.org/industrie....php?ind=H1500 Quote: American Chiropractic Assn 2012 Total political contributions to candidates, parties and outside groups - $194,475 Democratic - 62% Republican - 38% Source of donation (individuals or PAC) - PAC Overall Chiropractic industry contributions $601,735: Dem - 54% Rep - 46% Also the ACA had been more supportive of Republicans for the three election cycles prior to 2008. Just sayin'.
	__________________ "You post a lie, it is proven 100% false, you move the goalposts and post yet another lie and it continues on around till we're back to the original lie as if it will somehow become true if it's re-iterated again. The same misquotes over and over again. The same hindsight bias, appeals to authority, etc." -lapman describing every twoofer on the internet

18th July 2012, 03:03 PM	#8
schplurg Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 924	Originally Posted by BenBurch It's a scandal when your ethics are so lax as to deal with this industry even if it is legal. And it shouldn't BE legal. Might as well cozy up with the psychics. That's legal. Or the chiropractors. That's legal. Neither one would speak well of a candidate. Oh come on now! This is ridiculous! What candidate does not take funds from companies that some people consider "evil"? Oil companies. Pharmaceuticals. Get real.
schplurg Muse Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 924

18th July 2012, 03:15 PM	#9
Drudgewire Critical Doofus Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9,434	Also that's a wide range of products to be haphazzardly lumping together as "woo." Energy drinks? As one who consumes a lot of jager bombs I can vouch for their effectiveness.
	__________________ "You post a lie, it is proven 100% false, you move the goalposts and post yet another lie and it continues on around till we're back to the original lie as if it will somehow become true if it's re-iterated again. The same misquotes over and over again. The same hindsight bias, appeals to authority, etc." -lapman describing every twoofer on the internet

18th July 2012, 11:30 PM	#10
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 15,789	You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though? http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/head2head.php?ql3 Quote: Top Contributors Barack Obama (D) 1 Microsoft Corp $387,395 2 University of California $330,258 3 DLA Piper $306,727 4 Google Inc $271,300 5 Sidley Austin LLP $257,296 Mitt Romney (R) 1 Goldman Sachs $593,080 2 JPMorgan Chase & Co $467,089 3 Bank of America $425,100 4 Morgan Stanley $399,850 5 Credit Suisse Group $390,360 Romney's top 5 contributors are all Wall Street Banks! And the #5 contributor gave him more than Obama's #1 contributor.
	__________________ “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

19th July 2012, 07:17 AM	#11
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,219	Originally Posted by Puppycow You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though? http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/head2head.php?ql3 Romney's top 5 contributors are all Wall Street Banks! And the #5 contributor gave him more than Obama's #1 contributor. Sidley Austin LLP is, I believe, the law firm Barack met Michelle at, so of course will be full of their friends.
	__________________ Are you IN? Join the IN crowd now!

19th July 2012, 12:24 PM	#12
Polaris Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 5,171	Originally Posted by Puppycow You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though? http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/head2head.php?ql3 Romney's top 5 contributors are all Wall Street Banks! And the #5 contributor gave him more than Obama's #1 contributor. FFS... I work for one of Romney's five. Glad to know that we can pony up nearly half a million for that pile of clothes while we have a hiring and raise-freeze.
Polaris Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 5,171	__________________ "There's vastly more truth to be found in rocks than in holy books. Rocks are far superior, in fact, because you can DEMONSTRATE the truth found in rocks. Plus, they're pretty. Holy books are just heavy." - Dinwar "Roy Moore of Alabama. The world would absolutely benefit by him being run over by any vehicle." - Lowpro

19th July 2012, 12:33 PM	#13
Howie Felterbush Bow Tie Daddy Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: In the twilight, singing all the old lullabies Posts: 5,333	Originally Posted by Puppycow You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though? Hitler?
	__________________ "Don't be too offended by the likes of him - I hear he doesn't even own ascots." -JoeyDonuts "I must be more tired than I thought. Howie, you are starting to make sense." -MG1962 "You're a mean old evil cynic. And mean." Halfcentaur

23rd July 2012, 12:25 AM	#14
Beerina Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: A floating island above the clouds Posts: 23,835	Originally Posted by shemp I don't mean this to be snarky, but, for contrast, how much did they give to Obama? Seriously. Alternative medicine is one of the Democrats' pet woos.
	__________________ "Great innovations should not be forced [by way of] slender majorities." - Thomas Jefferson The government should nationalize it! Socialized, single-payer video game development and sales *now!* More, cheaper, better games, right? Right?

23rd July 2012, 02:22 AM	#15
Puppycow Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 15,789	Tell me if I'm wrong, but I believe that one difference in who the candidates will accept money from is that Obama doesn't accept donations from lobbyists or "special interest PACs", but Romney does. According to Politifact it's "half true." Yes, they use a narrow definition of "lobbyist", i.e., a registered lobbyist, but that seems to be the only bright line that is easy to draw. some people do fall into a grey area, like Newt Gingrich, who never officially registered as a lobbyist, but it would be very hard for a campaign to make that determination on a case-by-case basis. So the Obama campaign does at least seem to have some standards about who they will accept money from. As far as I can tell, the Romney campaign will accept money from just about anyone willing to give them money, as long as it's not illegal.
	__________________ “Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

23rd July 2012, 04:50 PM	#16
Neally Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,101	Originally Posted by Puppycow You know who really boosts the Romney campaign though? http://www.opensecrets.org/pres12/head2head.php?ql3 Romney's top 5 contributors are all Wall Street Banks! And the #5 contributor gave him more than Obama's #1 contributor. Yeah because the Wall Street would never give to BO. Oh wait... Quote: Tell me if I'm wrong, but I believe that one difference in who the candidates will accept money from is that Obama doesn't accept donations from lobbyists or "special interest PACs", but Romney does. BO has sure had no problem with PAC money in the past, as per my previous link.
Neally Illuminator Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,101

23rd July 2012, 08:30 PM	#17
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 20,988	Originally Posted by Beerina Seriously. Alternative medicine is one of the Democrats' pet woos. It's woo that many people across the spectrum buy into, just like religion.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

23rd July 2012, 08:42 PM	#18
JoeTheJuggler Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 26,833	Originally Posted by BenBurch In think the point of the story is that they won't support Obama because he wants to haul them up short in favor of evidence-based medicine. I don't think that's a fair assumption. Many corporate donors hedge their donations by giving to both candidates. I would be surprised if no one in that broad category didn't donate to the Obama campaign. I saw nothing in the story that indicated Obama received no donations from members of this industry. The only point the story made about Obama was that, in contrast to Romney, he's been making his list of donors public.
	__________________ "That is a very graphic analogy which aids understanding wonderfully while being, strictly speaking, wrong in every possible way." —Ponder Stibbons

24th July 2012, 12:43 PM	#19
carlitos "más divertido" Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 11,549	Originally Posted by BenBurch It's a scandal when your ethics are so lax as to deal with this industry even if it is legal. And it shouldn't BE legal. Might as well cozy up with the psychics. That's legal. Or the chiropractors. That's legal. Neither one would speak well of a candidate. I couldn't find any psychics on opensecrets.org, and the homeopathic pharmacists didn't list data by party. http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/look...764&cycle=2012 Quote: American Chiropractic Assn Summary Date of last report June 30, 2012 2012 PAC Contribution Data Contributions from this PAC to federal candidates (list recipients) (65% to Democrats, 35% to Republicans) Organic Consumer Association and Organic Trade Association gave to almost all Democrats. Good for the journalists that wrote this article. Slagging through these records is a pain.

25th July 2012, 10:44 AM	#20
carlitos "más divertido" Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 11,549	Originally Posted by The Central Scrutinizer I realize that there has recently been several gigantic, huge stories about Romney, some even lasting almost 3 days, but I don't think this will be one of them. You called it.