I understand they need to recoup research costs, but…

Except they don't even need to do that, because, as is with most pharmaceuticals, the research was almost fully funded by the taxpayer.

And the 30% profit is for a generic product, so the research has already been done.

So yeah, 30% profit is of course much better than 3000%, but both are still obscene profiteering off of a lifesaving product paid for by, and then essentially withheld for ransom from, the general public.

This quote comes to mind:

Nice people made the best Nazis. My mom grew up next to them. They got along, refused to make waves, looked the other way when things got ugly and focused on happier things than “politics.” They were lovely people who turned their heads as their neighbors were dragged away. You know who weren’t nice people? Resisters.

― Naomi Shulman

"Don't take a stand against fascism, because a fascist might get angry" 🙄

And I guess if you're part of a group already being targeted by angry fascists, it'd be something like "why didn't you warn us about fascism sooner?"..

the right starts to assume it’s okay that you’re next

But they already do, so I second queermunist - why lick the boot already stomping on your neck?

“Respectability” should be a swear word. Even rolling it around my tongue feels like I’m tonguing raw sewage, or maybe a particularly used condom. It implies a certain standard of behavior. To those who aim to be respectable, the standard is of civility, of fair-mindedness, of calm, reasonable debate and jovial disagreement. To those who don’t give a fuck about that bullshit, it stinks of elitist posturing, of valuing messaging over content, and of Puritan control. That’s how the scumfucks get away with it, you understand. They decry your tone, your language – not your content.

Not the thing that really matters, but the distraction of respectability and civility and propriety. Because you see, it makes them uncomfortable. They don’t like to be reminded that their policies affect real human beings. That would make it nearly impossible for some of them (not all, of course, there are some real fucking sociopaths there) to pass bills that cut welfare spending, or to authorize missile sales to Saudi Arabia

...Ultimately, a call for respectability is a call to take your beating with a smile, because you are serving the interests of their narrowly-defined democracy. But isn’t decency a good thing? Shouldn’t civility be a goal we all strive for, especially for public figures?

No.

Here’s the fucking truth – everyone is a fucking asshole, especially those who claim that they just want some “decency.” How do I know this? Because the same people who claim “civility” are the people who authorize defense appropriations for arms sales to theocrats, the people whose idea of a “humane homeless policy” is to put spikes on public benches, the people who think fascists can be defeated by hugs. Embracing “respectability” over content, and over values, is promoted primarily by those that have the privilege of ignoring the deleterious effects of said policy.

...Don’t play by the rules of the oppressor, because their rules are specifically designed to silence you, to negate you, to ignore you.

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/romeo-kokriatski-respectability-politics-or-you-gotta-be-nice-to-monsters

TL;DR:

This makes my blood boil.

It'd be bad enough if it was just any random person, but being disabled myself, I know far too well how difficult, to practically impossible, it can be to find a place that isn't only suitable to live in, but where the landlords will even consider you in the first place instead of instantly putting your application in the reject pile because you or someone in your household is disabled (both of which result in a high rate of homelessness among disabled people).

There are so many different and equally distressing levels of heinous to this bullshit, from misogyny to ableism, to classism, to just plain old wilful ignorance and cruelty.

People like this civil servant should spend their time being eternally grateful to not be in such a position as this mother is, since they wouldn't survive a fucking hour in her shoes.

FUCK

Take it a step further - decommodify all housing.

There is no valid reason why a handful of people should be allowed to own more than they could ever use, specifically so they can use the surplus to extort massive profits from others just trying to survive.

Housing is a human right, it's time we demand it be treated as such.

14th Amendment

It's the 13th, but otherwise accurate.

Maybe actually read the article? This is right at the top:

When Kim realized she was being removed, she asked to speak with her lawyer and see paperwork authorizing the transfer, which was denied. Kim then refused to walk as commanded, at which point she was allegedly thrown to the ground by guards, who tied her ankles and wrists together and put her in the back of an SUV, she said. At Monroe Correctional Complex, Kim was put into solitary confinement, for allegedly “refusing transfer.”

She wouldn't be in solitary confinement if they hadn't moved her.

Don't forget his 115 grand of the taxpayers money that he'll be getting every year for the rest of his life for "office costs and secretarial costs arising from his special position in public life” as well as severance and a special pension. Pocket change to him of course, but you know he's going to claim every single penny of it just for the joy of fucking over regular people, and then probably invest it in arms manufacturing or oil and coal companies or private prisons or something else evil like that, as a treat.

Same goes for any technology, from power loom to AI.

Convincing the working class it's the tools that are the problem, and not the system that abuses them (both working class, and tools), is one of capitalism's greatest achievements.

https://www.globallearning-cuba.com/blog-umlthe-view-from-the-southuml/marx-on-automated-industry

were about to vote in a left wing party

Bahahahahahahaha, omg I needed a good laugh this evening., thanks..

Guy literally purged every halfway leftist in the fucking party, and has spent his entire time as leader, and is aiming his entire election campaign on, pleasing capitalists and maintain the status quo. The man doesn't have a left leaning bone in his spineless self serving body.