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The governor threatens to create a new state law over the objections of actual lawmakers.
If the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t act quickly to make the morning-after pill available without a doctor’s prescription, Illinois will.That’s the message being sent to the FDA today in a letter from Gov. Blagojevich, who urged the agency to end more than three years of “stalling” and approve over-the-counter sales of the emergency contraceptive Plan B.
“The evidence is clear and overwhelming that making Plan B available over-the-counter is the right thing to do,” the two-page letter reads. “If the FDA fails to act, as governor, I will move forward to enact legislation on our own.” […]
The governor said his lawyers are looking into whether he can make the necessary changes without the General Assembly’s approval — an executive power Blagojevich said he would use if lawmakers shot down his plan.
Somebody should really show this guy a copy of the state Constitution.
Meanwhile, the governor’s plan to force pharmacies to post signs is moving forward.
Starting in early September, every pharmacy in Illinois will be required to post signs saying that pharmacists must dispense prescribed contraceptives–including the so-called morning-after pill–without delay.Spearheaded by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the measure cleared its final legislative hurdle Tuesday.
I don’t have time to find it now, but I recall that the mock-up sign released by the governor had his name displayed in big, bold letters. Just in time for election season.
UPDATE: It turns out, the approved poster is the department’s letterhead and the State Seal. The guv’s name may be on the letterhead, but won’t be as prominently displayed as it was on the mockup the guv’s people used at that earlier press conference.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 8:15 am
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He flipped off the FDA with his buying prescription drugs in Canada for seniors program, and that worked out OK.
He flipped off the general assembly with his funding of stem cell research, and that turned out OK.
Looks like ol’ Rod has come up with a solution for our unfortunate, slow moving democracy: take action yourself.
And to all you people out there that don’t like what the governor is doing, I ask ‘Why do you hate seniors, why do you want to keep women in slavery, and why do you want to see people with crippling degenerative diseases suffer?’
Comment by Pete Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 8:29 am
Why should a private business be forced to dispense anything? If people want the morning after pill, that is on them. I want Jewel to sell Dominick’s brand food, call the guhvnah! I also want the local Ford Dealer to sell new Hondas and the Coca Cola distributor to sell Pepsi.
I just wish people were smart enough to use Plan A contreception.
Comment by Todd Castro(ger) aka Wumpus Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 8:31 am
The operative words here are “The Governor said HIS (emphasis added) lawyers…” Interesting how “HIS” lawyers always find a way around the constitution. Memo to file: If this State has another Constitutional Convention, don’t place any of “HIS” lawyers on it.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 8:32 am
Pete wrote And to all you people out there that don’t like what the governor is doing, I ask ‘Why do you hate seniors, why do you want to keep women in slavery, and why do you want to see people with crippling degenerative diseases suffer?’
They drive too slow and buy all the Rasian Bran before I can get to the store and buy it.
Women in slavery? Where? How is someone not using birth control akin to slavery? SOmeone tell the ghost of Abe Lincoln that the emancipation proclamation did not work.
I like seeing Jerry Lewis on tv every labor day.
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 8:34 am
Which leads us to the conclusion, Pete, that we don’t need a General Assembly. No need for Czechs and balances. Dissolve the Reichstag. Now if Blago would only grow a moustache and cob his hair a little differently…
Comment by Truthful James Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 8:51 am
Petey,
I’m all for prescription drugs for seniors, stem cell research and Plan B contraceptives…I just don’t agree with the way Blago goes about getting what he wants. It reminds me of another politician that circumvents checks and balances to get what he wants. Although the other said politician might be a little more dangerous- circumventing laws so that he can tap into phones and check bank records without judicial oversight.
Anyway, the senior prescription program has not signed up near the number anticipated, money was miraculously found for stem cell research after the (balanced) budget was passed and let’s not forget Blago’s sidestepping the FDA and purchasing flu shots that were not used or as of yet, paid for.
With all that being said, I hope Illinois does offer Plan B over-the-counter, it would be setting a good example for the rest of the country. I just want to see the GA back him up- not for Blago to strike out on his own.
Comment by Shallow Pharnyx Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 9:15 am
Pete, you sound a little over emotional. When is your next pill due?
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 9:17 am
Talk about someone who has been taken over by the far left wackos. I see Bradley Tusks prints all over this.
Comment by Chinaman Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 9:24 am
To this administration it is to hell with the constitution we’ll do what we want if they don’t get their way. This is the way it has been from the beginning and it will only get worse until they are prevented from these actions via indictments or voted out of office.
Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 9:41 am
Seriously, you think the importation of drugs from Canada worked out well? I have to disagree with you there.
I’m not opposed to the morning after pill, but birth control pills require a physician’s prescription. The pill significantly impacts the workings of the female body and this should be given only under the supervision. If you don’t want a physician’s prescription, use a condom.
The morning after pill also significantly affects a woman’s body and physician supervision makes a lot of sense.
I don’t like this idea by the governor at all.
Comment by Wildcat Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 9:46 am
Honestly, whether you’re a believer of Plan B or not, this is just one more effort on ARod’s part to get big press coverage for his campaign. Plan B is just a hype for him. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see his name plastered on the sign. Everyone should be more concerned with his Big Brother tactics.
Comment by Walking Wounded Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 9:58 am
If Blagojevich oversteps his authority let the courts strike down what he is planning to do. If the courts do strike it down then thats that and if the courts dont then he was within his power to do what he is doing. For the most part I trust the courts to interpret executive rights in this state.
And by the way the FDA is becoming a bigger and bigger joke. The one consistent with them is that they have consistently been protecting the rights of big drug companies.
Comment by HANKSTER Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 10:18 am
Aw, Hankster,
“…For the most part I trust the courts to interpret executive rights in this state. ”
You must mean only in those situations in which I agree with the outcome.
Or perhaps because the politically elected or appointed judges ‘for the most part’ come down on the side of their political allegiance.
If we don’t trust our courts — even when they decide against our position — what else is there?
Comment by Truthful James Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 10:29 am
Truthful James -
You might want to change that lie of a name since you are now just making crazy things about, assuming you know what I was talking about.
I happen to think that the judiciary is an important part of government and this country is set up to let them interpret Constituional issues. That is what above so I am confused as to why you think you are so smart you know I really meant something else that I did not say.
Comment by HANKSTER Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 11:22 am
I hate to give Pete credit, but if the line of thinking is “He flipped off the FDA, he flipped off the General Assembly”, also, he’s flipped off the Jewish community….why not “flip off” the judiciary, too?
The heck with Democracy, it just gets in the way of ARod’s progressive leadership.
Comment by Walking Wounded Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 11:59 am
Yes, birth control or “Plan B” should be prescribed and regulated by medical professionals. I know several women personally, including myself, who have had strokes, paralysis, and other severe conditions caused by nothing more than the estrogen in birth control pills. Since Governor Hairoveich is inept at governing, what on earth makes him think he can administer medical advice? (Point in case - see the audit referring to his botched up handling of doctoral discipline Rich posted on this site!)
Comment by Podunk Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 12:15 pm
No, not Hitler….
I had a good talk with an old sage in Illinois politics who was comparing P.O.A. aka Milorad, with Huey Long of Louisiana. The comparison held considerable water. The only things POA has not done yet are to hold two public offices at the same time and (literally) hold the legislature at gunpoint…
But he’s got another term coming!
P.S. Chinaman– what part of the state are you from? You’re using my former moniker. (OK by me).
Comment by HoosierDaddy Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 12:57 pm
The Gov got away with several projects. Whether they work or are worthwhile is irrelevent. He got PR and looked like a guy fighting the system that simply would not move. The crowd goes “Wow”. The people who understand the behind the scene stuff go “What kinda crap is this?” Unfortunately the “Wow” effect scores more points. As these issues become more complicated, the Wow effect is easier to sell and remember.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 3:17 pm
Rich, Where can one download the poster?
Comment by Political Junkie Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 4:22 pm
First the flu vaccine. Now we have the morning after pill. I am convinced Rod Blagojevich is a lot better pharmacist that George Ryan.
Comment by muletown Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 9:33 pm
This was GoverNOT Hairdo’s press of the day. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s press release.
Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Aug 9, 06 @ 10:14 pm
I’m pretty moderate on the choice issue (maybe not for taxpayer funding if pro-lifers really object morally, of course), but this stuff needs to be monitored by a doctor.
What next? The abortion pill over the counter? Euthanasia cocktails that can be bought at the drugstore (boy that’ll be the Democratic solution to dealing with social security–help the old people to off themselves! sorry if that seemed in bad taste, but my sense of humor is a tad warped)?
Just be sensible, Rod. He’s not sensible! And this is coming from someone who is generally pro-choice.
Comment by Angie Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 1:39 am