LOTF Special Events Thread

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

"Quite frankly, I am tired of this slander, and so are the American people. Do you have anything to contribute to the debate or will you just keep calling me a Nazi sympathiser?"

“I didn’t call you a Nazi sympathiser Secretary, I just said that you failed to do what any other respectable and decent candidate would have done. I’ve contributed to this debate by presenting my policies on working to advance the Wolf agenda and keep America great, and I will continue to do so.”

"I admit, that must be a world record for backpedalling there."

[Sanabel]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

Porter: "We need to get rid of Obamacare, do healthcare reform. We need to ensure that only people who are really in poverty are on medicaid. We need to reduce the age for medicare, to whatever we can manage as a country. We also need to expand medicaid, to ensure that all people who are unable to afford regular coverage have coverage.

I would support Keynesian-style public interventions in order to reduce prices in the private sector. I would support a top-up, where the government could assist people who are struggling to pay their private plan.

I do think the government needs to step in as a provider of insurance. Of course, people could still keep their current plans, but it would be as an option to keep prices down. It's a simple, free-market solution to the problem of mounting costs.

People on medicare and medicaid report a much higher satisfaction rating than people on private insurance, so we're hoping to get more people on reduced premiums if at all possible."

[Dentali]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

Richardson: First I want to say that I think Porter's stance on healthcare makes it pretty clear he's running in the wrong primary....

“Now I will not deny the necessity of Healthcare reform, the ACA was a travesty but the issue it addressed, the need for more healthcare, better healthcare was and is a real need. 71% of Americans say healthcare is in crisis. The solution however is not more government control.”

“The government should not be picking winners and losers in healthcare. We need individuals and patients in the driver seat. In every industry where companies compete... choices and innovation increase, prices and barriers to access come down. Healthcare needs a similar approach, that will not happen immediately but even small steps can have huge impacts.”

“Lets let consumers pick from a wide array of options, direct primary care, short term plans, catastrophic coverage, or cadillac coverage. Everyone getting government dollars for healthcare gets to choose how to use those dollars instead of a government bureaucrat. The ACA had a structure that gave insurance companies control over subsidies which allowed them to raise prices. Giving the money directly to consumers will allow them to pick the quality private coverage of their choice.”

"Health Savings Accounts, combined with real transparency measures and doing away with the ridiculous regulations that let big pharma and hospital systems jack up prices are they way forward."

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

Richardson: First I want to say that I think Porter's stance on healthcare makes it pretty clear he's running in the wrong primary....

“Now I will not deny the necessity of Healthcare reform, the ACA was a travesty but the issue it addressed, the need for more healthcare, better healthcare was and is a real need. 71% of Americans say healthcare is in crisis. The solution however is not more government control.”

“The government should not be picking winners and losers in healthcare. We need individuals and patients in the driver seat. In every industry where companies compete... choices and innovation increase, prices and barriers to access come down. Healthcare needs a similar approach, that will not happen immediately but even small steps can have huge impacts.”

“Lets let consumers pick from a wide array of options, direct primary care, short term plans, catastrophic coverage, or cadillac coverage. Everyone getting government dollars for healthcare gets to choose how to use those dollars instead of a government bureaucrat. The ACA had a structure that gave insurance companies control over subsidies which allowed them to raise prices. Giving the money directly to consumers will allow them to pick the quality private coverage of their choice.”

"Health Savings Accounts, combined with real transparency measures and doing away with the ridiculous regulations that let big pharma and hospital systems jack up prices are they way forward."

"That is exactly what I just said, Governor. I support market-based interventions, rather than healthcare nationalisation or medicare-for-all directly. We need to reduce the price of healthcare, and we can do this through market-based means. Whether it's the government competing with private corporations or government offering tax incentives for insurance companies to reduce premiums, we will ensure a lower cost for prescription drugs and for healthcare in general."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

Governor Jonah Prendergast Jr. of West Virginia

"Of course I'm open to working with Democrats to provide a healthcare solution, but I'm not going to concede to the notion that a vast government scheme is the answer. We see time and again that schemes like those in the UK lead to long waiting lists and people not getting the care that they need. Even Tim Westra on the far, far left has conceded that much. I will not be the President who signs off on rationing for care in the United States. I want to work with them, but we have to remember that they're the ones who brought us the Bahariacare disaster in the first place. Let's not be too ready to trust, especially considering how obviously they've been hijacked by socialists in recent years."

"One policy which I know is going to be brought up is healthcare savings accounts. I remember when President Burke signed into law the legislation that made those possible, we had a lot of enthusiasm and high expectations for them. But ultimately, they've not paid off. It's taken money out of the insurance system, and it's meant that healthcare - again - isn't serving the American people. What, then, is the answer?"

"In my opinion, it's simply to let capitalism do its job. Open up the markets, allow cross-state competition, make the healthcare market face proper market pressures like any other industry. When you curate your capitalism, it pays off. Not so much as the invisible hand as much as an invisible hand on the end of a visible arm. Nudge the market, but don't suffocate it."

"I also embrace making the FDA processes less bureaucratic so that new drugs and medical devices can be brought to market faster, and we can have more, cheaper care options available to American patients. The era of making Americans wait to choose from new care choices can and should end. American people are mature enough to make their own decisions about their care, and don't need nor want to be babied."

[Velahor]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“It’s time to ditch the ACA for something better. Amend, repeal, replace, the key is fixing Baharia’s failure. It will be a priority of my administration to ensure that better, more affordable healthcare options are available for all Americans.”

“The Democrats want to create a single-payer government healthcare monopoly. But they don’t consider the fiscal costs, which will only throw our nation deeper into debt.”

“I have an alternative to offer. I call it the Human-Forward Healthcare Plan. By enforcing price transparency, we will save America $10 billion in healthcare costs. By ending Certificate of Need laws, we will reduce all healthcare costs for Americans by 11-14%. By allowing the sale of insurance across state lines, we will reduce healthcare costs by another 5%.”

“But that’s just the beginning. We need to increase the supply of doctors and medical services in our country in order to reduce costs in our strained healthcare system. Soon, I will be proposing a bill in the House to offer student loan forgiveness to doctors who choose to practice in low-income and underserved areas. Medical school is prohibitively expensive, and that keeps us from training enough doctors in this country to keep costs low.”

“We can’t be the party without a healthcare plan. We must have something to counter the Democrats’ healthcare proposals, or we’ll look really foolish come November 2020.”

[Dentali]

Richardson: Market based, consumer focused solutions that put patients first... solutions like HSAs and making generics more accessible are big reforms but we also need to embrace nurse practitioners, price transparency, and dozens of other smaller reforms I would be happy to work with Democrats on. This is exactly the kind of reform we got done with Carolina Choice Care, which has already lowered premiums drastically.

One of the best thing President Wolf has done was allow states to obtain waviest to customize their own healthcare systems. What’s best for North Carolina might not work for Minnesota and having the federal government dictate strict regulations is just a one size fits none approach. Our states need flexibility while ensuring protections for people with pre existing conditions.”

[Dentali]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“It’s time to ditch the ACA for something better. Amend, repeal, replace, the key is fixing Baharia’s failure. It will be a priority of my administration to ensure that better, more affordable healthcare options are available for all Americans.”

“The Democrats want to create a single-payer government healthcare monopoly. But they don’t consider the fiscal costs, which will only throw our nation deeper into debt.”

“I have an alternative to offer. I call it the Human-Forward Healthcare Plan. By enforcing price transparency, we will save America $10 billion in healthcare costs. By ending Certificate of Need laws, we will reduce all healthcare costs for Americans by 11-14%. By allowing the sale of insurance across state lines, we will reduce healthcare costs by another 5%.”

“But that’s just the beginning. We need to increase the supply of doctors and medical services in our country in order to reduce costs in our strained healthcare system. Soon, I will be proposing a bill in the House to offer student loan forgiveness to doctors who choose to practice in low-income and underserved areas. Medical school is prohibitively expensive, and that keeps us from training enough doctors in this country to keep costs low.”

“We can’t be the party without a healthcare plan. We must have something to counter the Democrats’ healthcare proposals, or we’ll look really foolish come November 2020.”

“Congresswoman Paulson is 100% if Republicans up and down the ticket run without a healthcare plan to rally behind then the losses of 2018 will repeat themselves.”

[Velahor]

(Image)
Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“It’s time to ditch the ACA for something better. Amend, repeal, replace, the key is fixing Baharia’s failure. It will be a priority of my administration to ensure that better, more affordable healthcare options are available for all Americans.”

“The Democrats want to create a single-payer government healthcare monopoly. But they don’t consider the fiscal costs, which will only throw our nation deeper into debt.”

“I have an alternative to offer. I call it the Human-Forward Healthcare Plan. By enforcing price transparency, we will save America $10 billion in healthcare costs. By ending Certificate of Need laws, we will reduce all healthcare costs for Americans by 11-14%. By allowing the sale of insurance across state lines, we will reduce healthcare costs by another 5%.”

“But that’s just the beginning. We need to increase the supply of doctors and medical services in our country in order to reduce costs in our strained healthcare system. Soon, I will be proposing a bill in the House to offer student loan forgiveness to doctors who choose to practice in low-income and underserved areas. Medical school is prohibitively expensive, and that keeps us from training enough doctors in this country to keep costs low.”

“We can’t be the party without a healthcare plan. We must have something to counter the Democrats’ healthcare proposals, or we’ll look really foolish come November 2020.”

“Congresswoman Paulson is 100% if Republicans up and down the ticket run without a healthcare plan to rally behind then the losses of 2018 will repeat themselves.”

Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

Paulson smiled, and then replied.

“Thank you Governor Richardson, and I want to add, that in my healthcare plan, I encourage states to form their own health insurance programs, like the successful one in your state and others across the nation. States are the laboratories of democracy and one of our strengths as a nation.”

[Greater Arab State]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

“You know, I’m in a unique position to understand and fully deal with the current issues surrounding health care in the United States, after all, I founded Sanabex Inc. in later 1996, a company that has grown from strength to strength over time and becoming one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in New England, a fact that I am tremendously proud of, tremendously.

We’ve seen great progress made under my father’s administration on the issue of healthcare, particularly elimination of penalties enforcing the individual mandate of BahariaCare, a bloated and unsound example of socialised medicine if there ever has been one that serves to force Americans to go through tons, absolute tons of red tape and penalises American enterprise so much it’s unbelievable.

What we in the United States need is a solution based more in the free market, where private enterprise and individual dynamism allows Americans to get the best from their healthcare, of course we can legislate to limit things such as malpractice reform but overall, we must seek to support American enterprise in improving the health of the American people, and I speak from 23 years in the pharmaceutical industry, a great deal of experience.”

[Velahor]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

Governor Jonah Prendergast Jr. of West Virginia

"Of course I'm open to working with Democrats to provide a healthcare solution, but I'm not going to concede to the notion that a vast government scheme is the answer. We see time and again that schemes like those in the UK lead to long waiting lists and people not getting the care that they need. Even Tim Westra on the far, far left has conceded that much. I will not be the President who signs off on rationing for care in the United States. I want to work with them, but we have to remember that they're the ones who brought us the Bahariacare disaster in the first place. Let's not be too ready to trust, especially considering how obviously they've been hijacked by socialists in recent years."

"One policy which I know is going to be brought up is healthcare savings accounts. I remember when President Burke signed into law the legislation that made those possible, we had a lot of enthusiasm and high expectations for them. But ultimately, they've not paid off. It's taken money out of the insurance system, and it's meant that healthcare - again - isn't serving the American people. What, then, is the answer?"

"In my opinion, it's simply to let capitalism do its job. Open up the markets, allow cross-state competition, make the healthcare market face proper market pressures like any other industry. When you curate your capitalism, it pays off. Not so much as the invisible hand as much as an invisible hand on the end of a visible arm. Nudge the market, but don't suffocate it."

"I also embrace making the FDA processes less bureaucratic so that new drugs and medical devices can be brought to market faster, and we can have more, cheaper care options available to American patients. The era of making Americans wait to choose from new care choices can and should end. American people are mature enough to make their own decisions about their care, and don't need nor want to be babied."

Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, I agree with what you said about healthcare, but ‘nudge the market, don’t suffocate it’ sounds a whole lot like what I was saying about my plans for trade. I consistently believe in letting the free market breathe, you’ll suffocate it when Americans try to buy and sell goods across borders, but at least you won’t with healthcare, right? Can we trust that?”

“But while we’re on the topic of healthcare, I think something needs to be said about the opioid crisis. 2 million people in our country are addicted to opiates, and 128 Americans die from painkiller overdoses EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And West Virginia is the epicenter of the epidemic.”

“Governor, in the past decade, partially under your watch, 21 million opiate pills were shipped from pharmaceutical companies, including companies like Sanabex and Pfizer, to a tiny town of 3,200 people in West Virginia. That’s nearly 2 pills a day per person for the entire ten years! There’s no explaining that, it’s purely negligent. To think that this went on for so long without a criminal investigation into the overprescribing doctors! The opioid epidemic is a prime example of when big pharma and big government converge to make a profit and destroy lives in the process.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

(Image)
Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, I agree with what you said about healthcare, but ‘nudge the market, don’t suffocate it’ sounds a whole lot like what I was saying about my plans for trade. I consistently believe in letting the free market breathe, you’ll suffocate it when Americans try to buy and sell goods across borders, but at least you won’t with healthcare, right? Can we trust that?”

“But while we’re on the topic of healthcare, I think something needs to be said about the opioid crisis. 2 million people in our country are addicted to opiates, and 128 Americans die from painkiller overdoses EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And West Virginia is the epicenter of the epidemic.”

“Governor, in the past decade, partially under your watch, 21 million opiate pills were shipped from pharmaceutical companies, including companies like Sanabex and Pfizer, to a tiny town of 3,200 people in West Virginia. That’s nearly 2 pills a day per person for the entire ten years! There’s no explaining that, it’s purely negligent. To think that this went on for so long without a criminal investigation into the overprescribing doctors! The opioid epidemic is a prime example of when big pharma and big government converge to make a profit and destroy lives in the process.”

"Diane, I have taken solid action on opioids. I have strengthened the police response on drugs, allowing them to do their jobs. I have set up programs as Governor to address addiction, and during my term as Governor, criminalized opioid overprescription by doctors. This was a crisis I inherited from my Democratic predecessors, and whilst it is far from over - it's a massive problem, it's not going to go away overnight and to pretend otherwise is foolhardy - I have gotten a grip on the issue and made positive, real change to address it."

"As for healthcare crossing borders, I agree with President Wolf that we should make it easier to import pharmaceuticals, and I do think that our healthcare market of all markets should be opened up - at least for the foreseeable future - to give it a kick in the pants and remind them just who they're meant to be serving."

[Velahor]

(Image)
Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, I agree with what you said about healthcare, but ‘nudge the market, don’t suffocate it’ sounds a whole lot like what I was saying about my plans for trade. I consistently believe in letting the free market breathe, you’ll suffocate it when Americans try to buy and sell goods across borders, but at least you won’t with healthcare, right? Can we trust that?”

“But while we’re on the topic of healthcare, I think something needs to be said about the opioid crisis. 2 million people in our country are addicted to opiates, and 128 Americans die from painkiller overdoses EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And West Virginia is the epicenter of the epidemic.”

“Governor, in the past decade, partially under your watch, 21 million opiate pills were shipped from pharmaceutical companies, including companies like Sanabex and Pfizer, to a tiny town of 3,200 people in West Virginia. That’s nearly 2 pills a day per person for the entire ten years! There’s no explaining that, it’s purely negligent. To think that this went on for so long without a criminal investigation into the overprescribing doctors! The opioid epidemic is a prime example of when big pharma and big government converge to make a profit and destroy lives in the process.”

"Diane, I have taken solid action on opioids. I have strengthened the police response on drugs, allowing them to do their jobs. I have set up programs as Governor to address addiction, and during my term as Governor, criminalized opioid overprescription by doctors. This was a crisis I inherited from my Democratic predecessors, and whilst it is far from over - it's a massive problem, it's not going to go away overnight and to pretend otherwise is foolhardy - I have gotten a grip on the issue and made positive, real change to address it."

"As for healthcare crossing borders, I agree with President Wolf that we should make it easier to import pharmaceuticals, and I do think that our healthcare market of all markets should be opened up - at least for the foreseeable future - to give it a kick in the pants and remind them just who they're meant to be serving."

Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, first of all, when I mentioned borders, I was talking about our previous conversation on trade. Your axiom about the market clearly only applies to healthcare for you, and that’s fine, but I just thought the people should know that.”

“Also, I thought the people should know about your tactics to tackle the opioid epidemic, which haven’t slowed West Virginia’s opioid problem but have fielded accusations of racial profiling.”

“You’re a good man, and I like working with you on great projects like the American Majority. But your tactics for slowing the opioid epidemic haven’t really gotten a grip on the issue, and that’s simply because they’re the same criminal justice tactics our nation has used for years, the same tactics that aren’t working around the nation. You pursued those tactics more strongly than most, but they’re nothing new, and they hardly can be lauded as a success.”

“It’s going to take innovative new solutions to tackle this crisis, and those are solutions I am willing to collaborate on with lawmakers and the people.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

(Image)
Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, first of all, when I mentioned borders, I was talking about our previous conversation on trade. Your axiom about the market clearly only applies to healthcare for you, and that’s fine, but I just thought the people should know that.”

“Also, I thought the people should know about your tactics to tackle the opioid epidemic, which haven’t slowed West Virginia’s opioid problem but have fielded accusations of racial profiling.”

“You’re a good man, and I like working with you on great projects like the American Majority. But your tactics for slowing the opioid epidemic haven’t really gotten a grip on the issue, and that’s simply because they’re the same criminal justice tactics our nation has used for years, the same tactics that aren’t working around the nation. You pursued those tactics more strongly than most, but they’re nothing new, and they hardly can be lauded as a success.”

“It’s going to take innovative new solutions to tackle this crisis, and those are solutions I am willing to collaborate on with lawmakers and the people.”

"Supporting rehabilitation efforts, penalizing opioid overprescription, and strengthening enforcement have had palpable effects on the opioids crisis, Congresswoman. To say I'm not doing anything different in West Virginia than the country has done for years prior just isn't true. From 2017 - when I took office - onwards, opioid deaths in West Virginia have declined."

[Velahor]

(Image)
Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, first of all, when I mentioned borders, I was talking about our previous conversation on trade. Your axiom about the market clearly only applies to healthcare for you, and that’s fine, but I just thought the people should know that.”

“Also, I thought the people should know about your tactics to tackle the opioid epidemic, which haven’t slowed West Virginia’s opioid problem but have fielded accusations of racial profiling.”

“You’re a good man, and I like working with you on great projects like the American Majority. But your tactics for slowing the opioid epidemic haven’t really gotten a grip on the issue, and that’s simply because they’re the same criminal justice tactics our nation has used for years, the same tactics that aren’t working around the nation. You pursued those tactics more strongly than most, but they’re nothing new, and they hardly can be lauded as a success.”

“It’s going to take innovative new solutions to tackle this crisis, and those are solutions I am willing to collaborate on with lawmakers and the people.”

"Supporting rehabilitation efforts, penalizing opioid overprescription, and strengthening enforcement have had palpable effects on the opioids crisis, Congresswoman. To say I'm not doing anything different in West Virginia than the country has done for years prior just isn't true. From 2017 - when I took office - onwards, opioid deaths in West Virginia have declined."

Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, respectfully, may I remind you that you have only been in office for two-and-a-half years? Most of these studies are compiled on an annual basis, so that only gives you 2017 and 2018 to compare to each other. Deaths from fentanyl and other synthetic, illegal opioids also increased during that period, likely as a result of people transitioning from prescription pills to harder opiates. Expert reviews of your drug policies are skeptical at best. You can’t take one year over year change in data and call it a success. I don’t blame you for looking for selling points, but this is a problem our government has had for years.”

“Too often, government tries to sell short-term improvements like they’re a record for success. Too often, people legislate with only the next four years in mind, but I have spent decades devoted to bringing greater individual liberty and economic prosperity to the American people, including years devoted to the study of this exact topic, so I definitely know something about long-term changes and reforms.”

“I don’t blame you for the opioid epidemic, it was a problem you inherited from past governors. But any tactics that get you accused of racial profiling should at least be questioned.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

(Image)
Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, respectfully, may I remind you that you have only been in office for two-and-a-half years? Most of these studies are compiled on an annual basis, so that only gives you 2017 and 2018 to compare to each other. Deaths from fentanyl and other synthetic, illegal opioids also increased during that period, likely as a result of people transitioning from prescription pills to harder opiates. Expert reviews of your drug policies are skeptical at best. You can’t take one year over year change in data and call it a success. I don’t blame you for looking for selling points, but this is a problem our government has had for years.”

“Too often, government tries to sell short-term improvements like they’re a record for success. Too often, people legislate with only the next four years in mind, but I have spent decades devoted to bringing greater individual liberty and economic prosperity to the American people, including years devoted to the study of this exact topic, so I definitely know something about long-term changes and reforms.”

“I don’t blame you for the opioid epidemic, it was a problem you inherited from past governors. But any tactics that get you accused of racial profiling should at least be questioned.”

"Congresswoman Paulson, if the trends established in the data hold - and I have no reason to believe they won't - overall opioid-related deaths will continue to decline and we will finally get on top of an epidemic which is sweeping through our country. The measures are working, the statistics say that they're working, and I'm not going to turn my back on policies which have so far objectively reduced the amount of deaths in my state. Less people are dying. Full stop."

"I also deeply resent the 'racial profiling' implication. Because by saying that, you're not just slandering me, but the hardworking law enforcement officers of West Virginia. It is an anti-police talking point. One hundred and forty four law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty last year, Congresswoman Paulson. We should be supporting our officers, not endorsing the kind of trite, anarchistic attacks that I would expect from kooks like Abigail Winthrop and not from someone who I respect like you. I am allowing the West Virginia State Police to do their jobs, the jobs they signed up for, to protect and serve the community. They do that with distinction, and I hope to honor them, not put them down."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Congresswoman Paulson, if the trends established in the data hold - and I have no reason to believe they won't - overall opioid-related deaths will continue to decline and we will finally get on top of an epidemic which is sweeping through our country. The measures are working, the statistics say that they're working, and I'm not going to turn my back on policies which have so far objectively reduced the amount of deaths in my state. Less people are dying. Full stop."

"I also deeply resent the 'racial profiling' implication. Because by saying that, you're not just slandering me, but the hardworking law enforcement officers of West Virginia. It is an anti-police talking point. One hundred and forty four law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty last year, Congresswoman Paulson. We should be supporting our officers, not endorsing the kind of trite, anarchistic attacks that I would expect from kooks like Abigail Winthrop and not from someone who I respect like you. I am allowing the West Virginia State Police to do their jobs, the jobs they signed up for, to protect and serve the community. They do that with distinction, and I hope to honor them, not put them down."

"In fact, Congresswoman, you've been using Democrat talking points all night. Undermining American law enforcement officers. Alleging illegal immigration is a victimless crime when we know that's not true at all. Opening the door on repealing the Dickey amendment is something Democrats do to try to characterize innocent American gun owners as diseased or mentally unfit - which runs contrary to the libertarianism you purport to tout. Your contributions to this debate are valuable, but if you'll forgive me, I've got people to give me my debate prep before I go up against Murphy or Veléz."

[Velahor]

"Congresswoman Paulson, if the trends established in the data hold - and I have no reason to believe they won't - overall opioid-related deaths will continue to decline and we will finally get on top of an epidemic which is sweeping through our country. The measures are working, the statistics say that they're working, and I'm not going to turn my back on policies which have so far objectively reduced the amount of deaths in my state. Less people are dying. Full stop."

"I also deeply resent the 'racial profiling' implication. Because by saying that, you're not just slandering me, but the hardworking law enforcement officers of West Virginia. It is an anti-police talking point. One hundred and forty four law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty last year, Congresswoman Paulson. We should be supporting our officers, not endorsing the kind of trite, anarchistic attacks that I would expect from kooks like Abigail Winthrop and not from someone who I respect like you. I am allowing the West Virginia State Police to do their jobs, the jobs they signed up for, to protect and serve the community. They do that with distinction, and I hope to honor them, not put them down."

"In fact, Congresswoman, you've been using Democrat talking points all night. Undermining American law enforcement officers. Alleging illegal immigration is a victimless crime when we know that's not true at all. Opening the door on repealing the Dickey amendment is something Democrats do to try to characterize innocent American gun owners as diseased or mentally unfit - which runs contrary to the libertarianism you purport to tout. Your contributions to this debate are valuable, but if you'll forgive me, I've got people to give me my debate prep before I go up against Murphy or Veléz."

Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, you should tread lightly when accusing people of Democrat talking points. Your proposed policies on trade, taxation, and government spending are almost identical to those of Murphy and Westra. Your policies on drugs sound like those pushed by President Clifford in the 1990’s, the ones that started this epidemic in the first place. You said until recently that a ‘fetus was a clump of cells’, something so brazenly left-wing and anti-life that if you said it here tonight, you’d be booed off this stage.”

“I’ve served in a Republican presidential administration and have been elected as a Republican by the people of New Hampshire 3 times, and the people of Maine twice. I’ve served in conservative and libertarian think-tanks, written some of the most read books on libertarianism, history, and the Republican Party, voted with the party 90% of the time, and have impeccable ratings from the American Conservative Union, FreedomWorks, the NRA, and the list goes on.”

“You’ve had a political record for all of two and a half years.”

“My Republican credentials speak for themselves, but go on, disparage me and the members of the Republican Party who didn’t jump on the protectionism and big-government bandwagon a couple years ago. It won’t win you any voters. This party can’t stand divided in the face of Democratic opposition, and turning a policy debate personal shows a lack of desire to unite the disparate parts of the GOP.”

“Arnold Wolf Sr. united us, now is not the time to divide our party with personal attacks.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

(Image)
Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, you should tread lightly when accusing people of Democrat talking points. Your proposed policies on trade, taxation, and government spending are almost identical to those of Murphy and Westra. Your policies on drugs sound like those pushed by President Clifford in the 1990’s, the ones that started this epidemic in the first place. You said until recently that a ‘fetus was a clump of cells’, something so brazenly left-wing and anti-life that if you said it here tonight, you’d be booed off this stage.”

“I’ve served in a Republican presidential administration and have been elected as a Republican by the people of New Hampshire 3 times, and the people of Maine twice. I’ve served in conservative and libertarian think-tanks, written some of the most read books on libertarianism, history, and the Republican Party, voted with the party 90% of the time, and have impeccable ratings from the American Conservative Union, FreedomWorks, the NRA, and the list goes on.”

“You’ve had a political record for all of two and a half years.”

“My Republican credentials speak for themselves, but go on, disparage me and the members of the Republican Party who didn’t jump on the protectionism and big-government bandwagon a couple years ago. It won’t win you any voters. This party can’t stand divided in the face of Democratic opposition, and turning a policy debate personal shows a lack of desire to unite the disparate parts of the GOP.”

“Arnold Wolf Sr. united us, now is not the time to divide our party with personal attacks.”

"Congresswoman, you came for me first with attacks not based in fact, and I defended myself. And respectfully, you're wrong again, my political record is not all of two and a half years, I've been actively involved for many years longer including serving loyally in a Republican administration."

"I don't want to divide the party - that's why I stand on giving state Republican affiliates more latitude to set policy that fits their state - so we can have unity and diversity of thought and build a coalition that can stand against the dark money behemoth that is the Democratic coalition. So we have room in our discourse and our party for those who do not fit with conventional conservative values."

"My policies on trade, taxation and spending are rooted in the strategy of the President who has delivered an economic recovery that no one on this stage can justly criticize. My drug policies - which are based in the example set by Ronald and Nancy Reagan, a President and First Lady you worked for - are working. And the notion that I'm soft on abortion when my actions speak otherwise is similarly deceptive."

"I respect you deeply, Congresswoman. You have rattled off a laundry list of positions you’ve held and books you’ve written. And that’s admirable. It shows we should expect more conservative rhetoric moving forward and that tonight was a one-off.”

[Velahor]

(Image)
Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

“Governor, you should tread lightly when accusing people of Democrat talking points. Your proposed policies on trade, taxation, and government spending are almost identical to those of Murphy and Westra. Your policies on drugs sound like those pushed by President Clifford in the 1990’s, the ones that started this epidemic in the first place. You said until recently that a ‘fetus was a clump of cells’, something so brazenly left-wing and anti-life that if you said it here tonight, you’d be booed off this stage.”

“I’ve served in a Republican presidential administration and have been elected as a Republican by the people of New Hampshire 3 times, and the people of Maine twice. I’ve served in conservative and libertarian think-tanks, written some of the most read books on libertarianism, history, and the Republican Party, voted with the party 90% of the time, and have impeccable ratings from the American Conservative Union, FreedomWorks, the NRA, and the list goes on.”

“You’ve had a political record for all of two and a half years.”

“My Republican credentials speak for themselves, but go on, disparage me and the members of the Republican Party who didn’t jump on the protectionism and big-government bandwagon a couple years ago. It won’t win you any voters. This party can’t stand divided in the face of Democratic opposition, and turning a policy debate personal shows a lack of desire to unite the disparate parts of the GOP.”

“Arnold Wolf Sr. united us, now is not the time to divide our party with personal attacks.”

"Congresswoman, you came for me first with attacks not based in fact, and I defended myself. And respectfully, you're wrong again, my political record is not all of two and a half years, I've been actively involved for many years longer including serving loyally in a Republican administration."

"I don't want to divide the party - that's why I stand on giving state Republican affiliates more latitude to set policy that fits their state - so we can have unity and diversity of thought and build a coalition that can stand against the dark money behemoth that is the Democratic coalition. So we have room in our discourse and our party for those who do not fit with conventional conservative values."

"My policies on trade, taxation and spending are rooted in the strategy of the President who has delivered an economic recovery that no one on this stage can justly criticize. My drug policies - which are based in the example set by Ronald and Nancy Reagan, a President and First Lady you worked for - are working. And the notion that I'm soft on abortion when my actions speak otherwise is similarly deceptive."

"I respect you deeply, Congresswoman. You have rattled off a laundry list of positions you’ve held and books you’ve written. And that’s admirable. It shows we should expect more conservative rhetoric moving forward and that tonight was a one-off.”

Congresswoman Diane Paulson
Republican Presidential Primary Debate
FOX News

Diane knew it was time to make peace, and to extend the olive branch to Prendergast publicly.

“Jonah, I respect you deeply, and I know that you and I share more values than we disagree on. My rhetoric throughout the night has been nothing but conservative, but as someone we both admire deeply once said, ‘libertarianism is the heart and soul of conservatism.’ To me, part of the purpose of that heart and soul is to question where this movement is going, and to tether it to its roots in liberty and limited government.”

“The Republican Party is under the threat of big-government authoritarianism like that espoused by Secretary Porter. Right now, this party needs its heart and soul more than ever. I think you and I both understand that.”

“I’m an investigative reporter by occupation. Getting to the bottom of controversies and questions, that’s what I do. Sometimes I’ll push you for an answer, sometimes I’ll come at you with a criticism from an unexpected angle. But above the debating and the nitty gritty issues, I’m glad people like me and you can have these tough conversations and come out of it with respect for each other.”

“That’s part of the beauty of America, diversity of opinion and the ability to live in community despite those differences. So rather than arguing incessantly about who is a real Republican, I think we both know that it’s time to unite on the things we agree on, and work together to complete President Arnold Wolf’s mission to Make America Great Again.”

[Dentali]

Moderator (Mike Oxlong): “Candidates, please quiet down for the next question. After the 2016 election, despite holding majorities in both houses of Congress, the Republican Party failed to uphold its long-time promise of a repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. New alternatives, like so-called Medicare for All single payer programs are becoming increasingly popular with the American electorate. What is your healthcare platform? And would you be open to compromise with the Democratic Party on the issue of healthcare?”

“You know, I’m in a unique position to understand and fully deal with the current issues surrounding health care in the United States, after all, I founded Sanabex Inc. in later 1996, a company that has grown from strength to strength over time and becoming one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in New England, a fact that I am tremendously proud of, tremendously.

We’ve seen great progress made under my father’s administration on the issue of healthcare, particularly elimination of penalties enforcing the individual mandate of BahariaCare, a bloated and unsound example of socialised medicine if there ever has been one that serves to force Americans to go through tons, absolute tons of red tape and penalises American enterprise so much it’s unbelievable.

What we in the United States need is a solution based more in the free market, where private enterprise and individual dynamism allows Americans to get the best from their healthcare, of course we can legislate to limit things such as malpractice reform but overall, we must seek to support American enterprise in improving the health of the American people, and I speak from 23 years in the pharmaceutical industry, a great deal of experience.”

Richardson: "Mr. Wolf while I applaud your fathers work, your own work in the pharmaceutical field is a red flag. Simply put, no one benefits more from the healthcare status quo than Big Pharma. Practices from companies like yours have created an untenable and frankly immoral situation, leading not only to the highest drug prices in the industrialized world but to the Opioid crisis which has destroyed countless lives, killing 70,000 people in 2017 alone."

"Your company is part of an incredibly corrupt system, where Big Pharma uses and abuses the law and regulations to muscle out competition and avoid responsibility for the negative consequences of its practices.
It is not the free market at work when an industry exploits regulations to muscle out competition, it is not the free market at work when an industry lies about the addictive properties of it products and still pushes them on doctors and writing off the lives of Americans as acceptable losses."

"Your company Sanabex produces and profits off of Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Fentanyl, your Fentanyl drug Apres is one of the single most common drugs in the Opioid epidemic. Big Pharma is and ought to be the single most hated industry in America."

[Greater Arab State]

“You know, I’m in a unique position to understand and fully deal with the current issues surrounding health care in the United States, after all, I founded Sanabex Inc. in later 1996, a company that has grown from strength to strength over time and becoming one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in New England, a fact that I am tremendously proud of, tremendously.

We’ve seen great progress made under my father’s administration on the issue of healthcare, particularly elimination of penalties enforcing the individual mandate of BahariaCare, a bloated and unsound example of socialised medicine if there ever has been one that serves to force Americans to go through tons, absolute tons of red tape and penalises American enterprise so much it’s unbelievable.

What we in the United States need is a solution based more in the free market, where private enterprise and individual dynamism allows Americans to get the best from their healthcare, of course we can legislate to limit things such as malpractice reform but overall, we must seek to support American enterprise in improving the health of the American people, and I speak from 23 years in the pharmaceutical industry, a great deal of experience.”

Richardson: "Mr. Wolf while I applaud your fathers work, your own work in the pharmaceutical field is a red flag. Simply put, no one benefits more from the healthcare status quo than Big Pharma. Practices from companies like yours have created an untenable and frankly immoral situation, leading not only to the highest drug prices in the industrialized world but to the Opioid crisis which has destroyed countless lives, killing 70,000 people in 2017 alone."

"Your company is part of an incredibly corrupt system, where Big Pharma uses and abuses the law and regulations to muscle out competition and avoid responsibility for the negative consequences of its practices.
It is not the free market at work when an industry exploits regulations to muscle out competition, it is not the free market at work when an industry lies about the addictive properties of it products and still pushes them on doctors and writing off the lives of Americans as acceptable losses."

"Your company Sanabex produces and profits off of Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Fentanyl, your Fentanyl drug Apres is one of the single most common drugs in the Opioid epidemic. Big Pharma is and ought to be the single most hated industry in America."

"Governor Richardson, not all pharma companies are created equal. Whilst there have been bad actors in my industry, fundamentally it is an industry that serves millions of Americans by providing them with the drugs they need to live their daily lives. I share your conviction to confront price gougers like (not-Martin Shkreli), but I am not like him. Of course, this is not the first false accusation that your family has directed towards me and I fear over the course of this campaign, it may not be the last, but that is neither here nor there. What matters is this - I know pharma, I understand pharma, and if anyone on this stage is better positioned to take on the bad actors in pharma, it's me."

[Dentali]

Richardson: "Mr. Wolf while I applaud your fathers work, your own work in the pharmaceutical field is a red flag. Simply put, no one benefits more from the healthcare status quo than Big Pharma. Practices from companies like yours have created an untenable and frankly immoral situation, leading not only to the highest drug prices in the industrialized world but to the Opioid crisis which has destroyed countless lives, killing 70,000 people in 2017 alone."

"Your company is part of an incredibly corrupt system, where Big Pharma uses and abuses the law and regulations to muscle out competition and avoid responsibility for the negative consequences of its practices.
It is not the free market at work when an industry exploits regulations to muscle out competition, it is not the free market at work when an industry lies about the addictive properties of it products and still pushes them on doctors and writing off the lives of Americans as acceptable losses."

"Your company Sanabex produces and profits off of Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Fentanyl, your Fentanyl drug Apres is one of the single most common drugs in the Opioid epidemic. Big Pharma is and ought to be the single most hated industry in America."

"Governor Richardson, not all pharma companies are created equal. Whilst there have been bad actors in my industry, fundamentally it is an industry that serves millions of Americans by providing them with the drugs they need to live their daily lives. I share your conviction to confront price gougers like (not-Martin Shkreli), but I am not like him. Of course, this is not the first false accusation that your family has directed towards me and I fear over the course of this campaign, it may not be the last, but that is neither here nor there. What matters is this - I know pharma, I understand pharma, and if anyone on this stage is better positioned to take on the bad actors in pharma, it's me."

"Your company is a bad actor, peddling a major drug in the opioid crisis. That is a fact. You know big pharma yes, I am not saying that inaccurate at all. However you know big pharma because you are Big Pharma.

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

Richardson: "Mr. Wolf while I applaud your fathers work, your own work in the pharmaceutical field is a red flag. Simply put, no one benefits more from the healthcare status quo than Big Pharma. Practices from companies like yours have created an untenable and frankly immoral situation, leading not only to the highest drug prices in the industrialized world but to the Opioid crisis which has destroyed countless lives, killing 70,000 people in 2017 alone."

"Your company is part of an incredibly corrupt system, where Big Pharma uses and abuses the law and regulations to muscle out competition and avoid responsibility for the negative consequences of its practices.
It is not the free market at work when an industry exploits regulations to muscle out competition, it is not the free market at work when an industry lies about the addictive properties of it products and still pushes them on doctors and writing off the lives of Americans as acceptable losses."

"Your company Sanabex produces and profits off of Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and Fentanyl, your Fentanyl drug Apres is one of the single most common drugs in the Opioid epidemic. Big Pharma is and ought to be the single most hated industry in America."

"Governor Richardson, not all pharma companies are created equal. Whilst there have been bad actors in my industry, fundamentally it is an industry that serves millions of Americans by providing them with the drugs they need to live their daily lives. I share your conviction to confront price gougers like (not-Martin Shkreli), but I am not like him. Of course, this is not the first false accusation that your family has directed towards me and I fear over the course of this campaign, it may not be the last, but that is neither here nor there. What matters is this - I know pharma, I understand pharma, and if anyone on this stage is better positioned to take on the bad actors in pharma, it's me."

Porter: "You're right. There are bad actors in your industry indeed. Opioid crisis aside, let me ask you this: it costes $2 to make a vial of insulin. How much did you company charge per vial of insulin, on average?