Pfizer Is Neutral on Bush (Social Security) Plan

[quaoar]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-social21feb21,0,5324851.story?coll=la-home-nation

The drug company has been part of an alliance backing the Social Security overhaul. Now it says it's not taking a position on the debate.

By Peter Wallsten and Tom Hamburger, Times Staff Writers

WASHINGTON — A major corporation that has been active in a business coalition campaigning for a proposed overhaul of Social Security said Sunday that it was neutral on the issue — the latest indication of the tenuous support for President Bush's initiative, even from groups considered natural allies.

The statement by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., a longtime member of a business alliance lobbying for Bush's plan, follows the Feb. 11 announcement by the brokerage firm Edward Jones & Co. that it was withdrawing from the same group.

Edward Jones, based in St. Louis, made its decision after it was subjected to picketing and online protests by labor unions and seniors groups, which have now begun targeting other companies belonging to the Alliance for Worker Retirement Security.

Responding to questions from The Times, Pfizer spokeswoman Darlene Taylor said Sunday in an e-mail that "while Pfizer has been a member of AWRS for a number of years working on broad principles for Social Security, we do not have a position on the current Social Security debate."

[elehhhhna]

1. Pfuck Pfizer! Does Pfizer friggin' VOTE? NO!

[quaoar]

3. No

But Pfizer knows when it's on the losing side of an issue. The fact that Pfizer is ditching Bush says a lot.

[still_one]

4. not directly, but they can sure have influence with all their money

[CindyDale]

2. I'm telling you the power is in your purse

[Ernesto]

5. "natural Allies"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see a profit motive here. Why would Pfizer piss off their "golden goose" (their market base), when chimp is clearly over-reaching on his SS reform plan?

[quaoar]

7. Ideological allies, no doubt

[Ernesto]

9. Aw cont-rare amigo

Corporations have no personality, good or bad, they have stock holders that are interested in a good returns. These corporate leaders have a need to keep their jobs like just like you do.
They have made the wise choice to keep their traps closed on this one. SS is holier than religion as my hypocrite, repuke, retired preacher father n law has so ineptly demonstrated for me.

[quaoar]

10. Exactly

Money trumps ideology -- on this issue at least.

[Straight Shooter]

6. Their motivation is selfish, but the end result is good. Dissing bush.

:evilgrin:

[Deja Q]

8. Well, if people 'invest' in the company that makes their viagra, then

they WILL have a stand.

[SoCalDem]

11. WHY IN THE WORLD SHOULD A DRUG COMPANY EVEN HAVE INPUT

on Social Security?:grr:

I am so sick of "Activist" corporations legislating from the lab-bench :grr:

Let them go back to wat we need them for.. making medicines that we can afford...to cure what ails us..

Stay the F out of congress and the white house..