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How GOP Leaders Are Like Cold Medication [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-11-10
I gave up using most cold medications years ago because I noticed they never did me any good. I quit voting for Republicans for the same reason.
We just got rid of the useless cold medications. Did you read about this? Phenylephrine — supposedly a decongestant and the main ingredient in a whole bunch of popular cold medications — turns out not to do a damned thing. Much like Republicans.
Pharmacists and other experts all pretty much knew phenylephrine was worthless. Still, there it sat, taking up space, being presented as a reasonable choice for decades before we finally decided, “Look, this is worthless. It’s costing the public billions of bucks and for what? Nothing!”
The placebo effect is real
Many people will take an ineffective drug — or even a sugar pill — and then credit it with improving their symptoms.
It’s a lot like the way many Americans are convinced Republicans are good with money, even though all the actual evidence shows the economy fares far better when under control of the Democrats.
“Boy, that phenylephrine sure did clear up my sinuses!” a cold sufferer might say right after taking a useless pill and then voting for a useless Republican candidate.
I just shake my head when I read interviews in which Republicans say they think the country fared better under Trump. There is no objective measure by which Trump was even competent.
And the thing is, virtually everyone knows this.
Every informed person understood that phenylephrine was useless, but it was popular with the unknowing public so they shrugged and kept selling it.
With very few and maybe no exceptions, everyone involved in selling MAGA Republicanism is completely aware that they’re carrying a bad product, but it is popular with a certain segment of the public so they keep selling it.
You don’t believe they all know better? Just look at how many of the top Trumpers disdained Trump before they joined him. Look at Elise Stefanik. Look at J.D. Vance. Look at Mitch McConnell. Behind the scenes, everybody understood what a doofus Trump was, but in front of cameras, they sucked up to him.
There are alternatives, though
If you need a decongestant, there are products that do work. Tell your pharmacist you would like an effective cold medication. They exist.
Sure, your pharmacy has been knowingly selling you shitty, ineffective and expensive cold medication for decades, because you were willing to shell out money for it — but they do have alternatives they’ll give you if you just ask for them. Remember, if your pharmacy isn’t helpful, you can always go to a different one.
Tell your local GOP party office you would like a member of Congress that will work for you. They used to have normal, effective conservatives. If you tell them you want a better alternative, they will eventually give you some better options. Remember, if your party isn’t helpful, you can always go to a different one.
It took decades to get rid of useless cold medications. I hope it won’t take that long to get rid of useless politics.
About me:
I’m a writer in central Illinois. If you like my work, subscribe to me on Medium or throw me a fish! You can also find me on Substack, Twitter or LinkedIn.
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