-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Prescriptions for pseudoephedrine
Date: Thu, 07 Apr 2011 19:19:29 -0400
From: Scott Tibbs <tibbs1973@yahoo.com>
To: H22@IN.gov

Representative Kubacki,

I am very sick today. I am fighting a nasty cold and I stopped by the pharmacy to pick up some nasal decongestant to clear up my sinuses so I can breathe. I was irritated because had to wait in line for 15 minutes because meddling legislators cannot keep their noses out of everyone else's business. I was completely miserable.

If you get your way, I will not be allowed to even have the privilege of "showing my papers" to the pharmacy because pseudoephedrine will be available only by prescription.

Never mind that there are other ways for people to make meth without PSE, and never mind that 80% of the meth in Indiana comes from Mexico. Never mind that abuse of prescription drugs like OxyContin is common, so this may have only minimal impact. Meddling legislators feel the need to "do something" about the meth problem.

Have you considered the poor, Representative Kubacki? After all, it is hardly fair for people who don't have much money and do not have health insurance to suffer without medicine because of meddling legislators.

Here is my proposal. If pseudoephedrine becomes prescription only, there should be a new government program that pays for doctors' visits of people seeking the medication. If the government is going to require us to go to the doctor to get an over-the-counter medicine, then the government should pay for those doctor's visits.

That sounds like socialism, you might say. Yes, it does because that's exactly what it is. But if society (through our elected representatives) is going to make it more expensive for sick people to get medicine due to overreaching nannyism, then society as a whole should pay for it.

When costs for this program start spiraling out of control, maybe we will think twice about it.

I have a better idea. The Indiana state legislature needs to stay out of my life. I can take care of myself. I don't need state government trying to be my mommy.