Election year is upon us again. Once more the public must listen to politicians take firm stances on issues that once they get into office, they will do nothing about. This year’s hot topic: prescription drugs.       Many politicians have been claiming they will fight for Americans’ rights to obtain affordable medication, and they believe the best way to do this is to import prescription drugs from Canada at a lower cost than they are available here.
 
      While importing cheaper prescription drugs sounds good, the real issue should be why prescription drugs are so much more expensive here. Instead of telling the American public they will fight to import drugs from Canada, politicians should be telling Americans they will fight the outrageous drug prices in the United States.
 
      Of course, this will never happen. Politicians have allowed the pharmaceutical industry too much influence over American politics. Lobbyists from the drug companies hold too much sway over the politicians on Capitol Hill. Instead of taking on the drug companies, politicians feign independence from them by seeking to import cheaper drugs from Canada, which are produced in the United States.
 
     If these politicians were serious about their desire to improve medical care for Americans, they would take on the drug companies. They would force the companies to reduce their prices, or they would impose a price limit, as the Canadians do. Only by doing this, will Americans truly be able to receive affordable health care. Until then, we will just have to continue listening to political rhetoric.