It turns out Martin Shkreli, the smug epitome of capitalist greed who hiked the price of Daraprim, a drug used to treat life-threatening parasitic infections, by more than 5,000 percent, is something of a Bernie Sanders supporter.
The feeling is not mutual. A donation of $2,700 to the Sanders campaign from Shkreli — the maximum individual contribution — was promptly handed over to the Whitman-Walker health clinic in Washington.
“We are not keeping the money from this poster boy for drug company greed,” campaign spokesman Michael Briggs said.
Of course, Shkreli doesn’t agree with all of the candidates positions, and that’s what the donation was really about: send money, get Sanders’ attention, schedule meeting and tell him why he’s wrong about big pharma. Solving problems with cash — it’s a shock Sanders didn’t choose that as a campaign slogan.
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One of Sanders’ core positions as a self-described socialist is finding creative ways to allow people access to the medications they need at a lower cost. He’s proposed requiring Medicare to negotiate lowering prices and allowing people to import cheaper meds from Canada. So, pretty much the anti-Shkreli approach.
“He’ll take my money, but he won’t engage with me for five minutes to understand this issue better,” Shkreli said in an interview. Call us crazy, but we imagine Sanders has a pretty firm grasp on his position.
Shkreli went on to essentially prove himself wrong by saying he could adapt in the market if Sanders got his way.
“Right now the rule of law in the United States is that drug companies can price their products wherever they see fit, not wherever he sees fit,” Shkreli said. “If the rule changes by congressional vote, then you know, I’ll adapt to the rules.”
No biggie — he’ll adapt.
We’re not sure the same strategy of “I’ll just adapt” will work out so well for the people in dire need of Shkreli’s exorbitantly overpriced medicine.
Shkreli did say he was a fan of some of Sanders’ positions, namely his call for free public college for everyone and improved access to mental health care.
Stephen Meeks
Good move Bernie!
Alistair Wiseman
You mean the greedy bastard is a DEMOCRAT!?! Surprise, surprise.
Desert Boy
Good On Bernie!!!
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Nope. He’s a republican donating to a democrat that has no chance of winning the general election (let alone the nomination). How predictable! I do think Sanders is a stand-up guy, but he hasn’t shown the ability to answer critics well. Even O’Malley buried him.
Jim Philbrick
Good Bernie!
kevininbuffalo
Bernie’s got integrity!
1EqualityUSA
sabotage
alphacentauri
@Giancarlo85: Very true. Sanders can’t even stand up to the r@cist black lives matter people and let them completely overtake a speech Sanders was going to give. Plus Sanders is way too old and out of touch with reality in the United States or major issues that effect all people here.
Giancarlo85
@alphacentauri: And the republicans you support are any different?
Jane Freeman
It’s literally blood money. Glad he gave it to charity! I’d have balled it up, rammed it up his arse and set fire to it! But that’s me!
Sean Hansen
He’s a slag. The face of ultimate Capitalism, I can’t even say what I feel about him. It would shock even me.
BlueDude
Sanders = Good; Shkreli = @sswipe. Period.
aliengod
Shocked, but glad. Sanders is far more deserving than Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Hillary is a joke and should be in jail, not the White House. Thankfully, she has no chance.
Giancarlo85
@aliengod: And somehow this idiot makes it’s about Hillary. There is nothing on Hillary to put her in jail. Half of the republican party should be in jail.
Jerry Mitchell
What other scum has he taken donations from??????????????????????
Richard
@Giancarlo85: Are you kidding? Bernie Sanders is exploding on the campaign trail. He’s even drawing thousands in the deep South. He is the ONLY candidate that isn’t bought by big money and doesn’t pick and choose who he wants as voters.
I believe Bernie Sanders will be our next president. Anyone who has negative thoughts about him is totally out of touch with the meanings of political moves and mores. Stand up guy? Why should he have to defend himself against stupidity? When, pray tell, did O’Malley bring him down?
alphacentauri
@Giancarlo85: I do not support Republicans. I do however support the green party if you’ve been paying attention.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
You stated, “There is nothing on Hillary to put her in jail.”
https://youtu.be/9lDN5b6ET0I
The criminal arrogance of Hillary Clinton and the United States Constitution.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
Yes, Giancarlo, Republicans are quite known for graciously giving political donations to Democrats. (Is there anything foolish you won’t claim?)
GayEGO
Good choice!
Giancarlo85
@Richard: Exploding? I don’t think stagnant poll numbers are an indication of exploding. Bernie Sanders has no shot at the WHite House… hate to break it to you, and he doesn’t have a shot at the nomination either. He’s a good guy, but he’s not campaign material and in the end that is what matters.
Your response is laughable. O’Malley hammered him on his weak gun control record (and his record is pitiful let me just say right now).
“Anyone who has negative thoughts about him is totally out of touch with the meanings of political moves and mores. ”
Nice generalization. Do you have anything else to share to piss off people who don’t support him? I’m sorry, but I’m supporting Clinton and she will be the next President.
@Alistair Wiseman: Youtuuuubbbeeee…. absolutely nothing there for you to build even the slightest case.
@Alistair Wiseman: You’re an idiot who doesn’t quite follow what I said. That’s predictable for someone who follows youtube and think’s a youtube video is evidence. You have nothing on Hillary. As expected.
@alphacentauri: The Green Party is meaingless and even weaker than it was in 2000. Good luck voting for a party that won’t even get half of a percent.
Giancarlo85
http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Bernie_Sanders_Gun_Control.htm
Pitiful. Funny how some claim he isn’t influenced by special interests, yet some of his votes indicate otherwise.
It doesn’t matter how many people he gets in the deep south. That doesn’t mean shit. He won’t carry states like California or New York in the primaries.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
Hey genius, the evidence isn’t YouTube, it’s called the U.S. Constitution.
That is why the FBI is investigating your Saint Hillary.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Incorrect. The “investigation” has led to nowhere and no action has been taken because she has done no wrong doing. You are nothing more than an empty suitcase. Even Sanders said it well enough… this is a non-issue.
The US Constitution? Oh really? Why don’t you read it for once in your life?
Idiot, she didn’t violate the US Constitution. In fact, she didn’t even violate any rules. They didn’t change the rules until a whole year after she left the position of Secretary of State.
You really raise the bar for a whole new level of stupid.
tjr101
Republicans would absolutely love to face Bernie Sanders in a general election which is why they would troll a thread with him being the topic while throwing insults at Hillary.
Saint Law
@Giancarlo85: It will be Hilary and the Dems will continue the right-wing triangulation of her ghastly hubby.
The only reason to vote for her will be she isn’t a Republican.
Saint Law
Sanders doesn’t have a shot, but he may, just may, edge career whore Clinton number 2 a little further leftward.
Giancarlo85
@Saint Law: *yawnnnnnnn*
Aromaeus
@Giancarlo85: I respect a lot of your views and agree with you most of the time but on this you are just wrong. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXXeEzCdhnE&w=560&h=315%5D
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
As usual you are in denial about your beloved Saint Hillary.
By the way, if you were paying attention, the investigation is completed. Not even close.
Giancarlo85
@Aromaeus: I would rather you keep your stupid fake videos and fake agreement to yourself. I am not wrong and anyone who doesn’t have partisan bullshit in their eyes would know that. And for the last time, YouTube isn’t a source.
@Alistair Wiseman: You are an idiot. They have nothing on Hillary. You pay attention to nothing. You are in such deep denial. Your fucking party is bankrolled by Sheldon Adelson… A gangster. How does it feel to be supporting organized crime?
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
Are you unable to make an argument without the childish name calling?
Do you really think by calling people names it somehow strengths your argument?
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Calling you an idiot is a factual observation based on your inane ridiculous posting history and complete lack of evidence. You spout off without any real argument. So yes, you are an idiot in all factual senses. My argument is already vastly superior to your own.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
As usual, you did not answer either question, but yet, somehow managed another “vastly superior” response. Good job.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Your question was asked and answered. You really don’t have any point on here asides spewing out the same old crap. Good job on showing how much of an idiot you are to everyone. Are you ever embarrassed about your own actions? How can you be such a conservative? It’s not normal.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
Again, no answer. I asked you two simple questions and you cannot answer them.
Just more ad hominem attacks.
Joe
Good for you Bernie. This tells me Bernie can’t be bought. A very good sign indeed.
Joe
Martin Shkreli is money grubbing douche. He should make Time magazine’s most hated person in America cover. The hell with Davis.
Joe
“Right now the rule of law in the United States is that drug companies can price their products wherever they see fit, not wherever he sees fit,” Shkreli said.
It should be about Humanity. Something this little twerp’s parent’s instilled in him as he was growing up.
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: You lack reading comprehension. Your question was answered.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
My question was answered? Where!?! Besides, it is questions, not question.
Please show me where you answered both questions, as you did not answer either one.
1EqualityUSA
G85, he DEMANDS it!
Giancarlo85
@Alistair Wiseman: Asked and fucking answered. You don’t even know how to write a question.
Hey man some foreshadowing just took place today… people are sick of you fucking right wing conservative windbags.
http://globalnews.ca/news/2281127/federal-election-2015-live-real-time-results/
And not just in America.
Alistair Wiseman
@Giancarlo85:
Two simply questions and he can’t answer them. Sad.
1EqualityUSA
“Sad.” Alistair, it gets better.