Unhappy Workers Should Take Prozac --Bush Campaigner

[zimv20]

link (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040729/pl_nm/campaign_jobs_dc)


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A campaign worker for President Bush (news - web sites) said on Thursday American workers unhappy with low-quality jobs should find new ones -- or pop a Prozac to make themselves feel better.

"Why don't they get new jobs if they're unhappy -- or go on Prozac?" said Susan Sheybani, an assistant to Bush campaign spokesman Terry Holt.

The comment was apparently directed to a colleague who was transferring a phone call from a reporter asking about job quality, and who overheard the remark.

When told the Prozac comment had been overheard, Sheybani said: "Oh, I was just kidding."

While recent employment growth has buoyed Bush's economic record, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has argued the new jobs are not as good as those lost due to outsourcing in recent years.

Nearly 1.1 million jobs have been lost since Bush took office in January 2001.


let them eat prozac!

[blackfox]

link (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040729/pl_nm/campaign_jobs_dc)



let them eat prozac!
Oh, if only they had the health coverage to afford it...

Further shades of Orwell...

[evil]

wow. that is pretty infuriating. but it is based in reality. the use of happy pills has been steadily rising.

[skunk]

Why don't they just top themselves? Prozac is expensive.

[themadchemist]

Ya fi-yed.

[yellow]

Ya fi-yed.

Snort! ROTFL!

[themadchemist]

It is my opinion that the Bush staffer was referring to unhappy people on Kerry's Staff. It is just as probable. And the "I was just kidding" remark would be given for any off hand remark that the wasn't meant for the reporter.

If it was anything of this nature, then it's more than likey the staffer was talking about the Bush camp. It's more likely that Bushies are hearing complaints from their own kind (their co-workers) than it is that they're hearing complaints from people far-removed, their opponents.

[pseudobrit]

Sounds like a non-story. It's still amusing though.

[mischief]

There is a new healthcare proposal from our esteemed and duly elected Emperor: He has decreed, in his gracious wisdom that mood stabilizing compounds like Prozac to be presented as low cost health care to the working caste as a reward for their service to those of greater station.

All praise the illustrious Emperor. Now eat your bread, cheer at the spectacle of our riteous war and take your prozac.

[Bobcat37]

I equate it to Mrs Kerry saying "shove it"

Makes a great buzz story... but people will forget (or at least stop caring) it happened fairly quickly. And considering this was a campaign worker, in other words, nobody important, it will be cared about even less.

[mischief]

I equate it to Mrs Kerry saying "shove it"

Makes a great buzz story... but people will forget (or at least stop caring) it happened fairly quickly. And considering this was a campaign worker, in other words, nobody important, it will be cared about even less.

Good citizen, I see that you are taking your allotment of Prozac. Continued performance on this level may lead to increased priviledges.

[skunk]

Good citizen, I see that you are taking your allotment of Prozac. Continued performance on this level may lead to increased priviledges.
And increased Prozac.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Just shows the attitude of the RNC to those that "haven't gotten theirs". Their attitudes make me sick....

[Chip NoVaMac]

If the story is true it might infer that. Even by calling it a non story we imply that it is true. I still contend that this is a stretch of the truth at best or just a down right lie by a reporter who is politically motivated.

When told the Prozac comment had been overheard, Sheybani said: "Oh, I was just kidding."

Doesn't seem that she is denying making the statement. So it is not as much of a non-story as one might think. It goes to the roots of narrow minded thinking, and bigotry that exists within the RNC IMO.

[blackfox]

If the story is true it might infer that. Even by calling it a non story we imply that it is true. I still contend that this is a stretch of the truth at best or just a down right lie by a reporter who is politically motivated.
sorry to be nit-picky, Stelliform, but you got "infer" and "imply" backwards...I agree with your position, though (at least as a valid possibility).

[Neserk]

Prozac is highly overated, imho.

[themadchemist]

Prozac is highly overated, imho.

And possibly dangerous, considering the track records of some of its fellow mood-altering drugs.

[IJ Reilly]

Prozac is highly overated, imho.

Und iff yuoo're-a nut cereffool und teke-a tuu mooch it veell meke-a yuoo telk leeke-a a Svedeesh Cheff.

[skunk]

Und iff yuoo're-a nut cereffool und teke-a tuu mooch it veell meke-a yuoo telk leeke-a a Svedeesh Cheff.
You are clearly near your limit... :rolleyes:

[IJ Reilly]

You are clearly near your limit... :rolleyes:

I'll throw the next one back, don't you worry.

[skunk]

I'll throw the next one back, don't you worry.
:D

[Neserk]

And possibly dangerous, considering the track records of some of its fellow mood-altering drugs.

Mostly it was unhelpful for what it was supposed to do. Celexa is a much better choice, ime.

It doesn't alter moods, it stablilizes (or is suppose to) brain chemicals.

IOW, make them work like they do for "normal" people who are defined as those who can actually get out of bed in the morning and go to work AND do the dishes when they get home for work. What a concept, huh?

[Neserk]

Und iff yuoo're-a nut cereffool und teke-a tuu mooch it veell meke-a yuoo telk leeke-a a Svedeesh Cheff.

LOL... thanks for the laugh.

[blackfox]

Not to cheapen the topic (too late)...but I gotta love the market-names for all these drugs...wellbutrin, prozac, celexa and so on...who makes these names? People on them?...

[zimv20]

i want to see the market research that says drugs w/ Xs and Zs in their names sell.

[Bobcat37]

Hah me too... drug names are funny.

But in a way, they are almost "cool" sounding. I don't think anyone would say that saying "prozac" or "celebrex" isn't fun...

[Chip NoVaMac]

Some are missing that Mental Illness is a serious issue in the US. Never mind that some instances are over diagnosed. But given the healthcare laws, those that need treatment are denied.

Any many because of the laws and stigma are denied coverage, I for one, because of treatment for depression was denied short and long term disability.

I agree that in many cases Mental Illness is used as a crutch. But there are those like myself, responded well to consoling and treatment.

[Neserk]

I'll have to remember that name. My wife is shopping anti-depressants right now. Her current one doesn't apear much better than the last three. (But we are giving it a couple of months.) I think the current one is wellbutrin.


I started with Prozac which helped with sleeping (a symptom of depression). I tried Effexor which made me "high." Then Paxil which meant no orgasims or relief. Finally I found *my* miracle which is Celexa. Lexapro is also on the market but that kept me from sleeping. Wellbutrin can be added to help counter the decrease in Libidoo that some experience with SRI's.

[Neserk]

Not to cheapen the topic (too late)...but I gotta love the market-names for all these drugs...wellbutrin, prozac, celexa and so on...who makes these names? People on them?...

hmmm... wondering if I should be offended... nah, have to consider the source and know it wasn't meant that way...

[Neserk]

Some are missing that Mental Illness is a serious issue in the US. Never mind that some instances are over diagnosed. But given the healthcare laws, those that need treatment are denied.


I was ignored for years and years (mine started pre-adolescent) so in my experience under diagnosis is a problem. Over diagnosis? Always a possibility but being a sufferer I see more people who are in need of treatment and don't get it.


Any many because of the laws and stigma are denied coverage, I for one, because of treatment for depression was denied short and long term disability.


One huge issue with chronic depression is chronic underemployment. Ever wonder why I have a master's degree and substitute teach? I've also (with a master's degree) worked in a entry level library position, and worked retail. It is a wall I'm trying desparately to break through, but I've having problems figuring out *how* to break through it. In some cases it is simply a matter of giving up, convinced I can't do what I orginally set out to do. I'm working on that theory and am determined to not quit, *this time.*



I agree that in many cases Mental Illness is used as a crutch. But there are those like myself, responded well to consoling and treatment.

Ii'm not sure how that works. But I'm on the side of not being diagnosed and treated and suffering the consequences.

[skunk]

One huge issue with chronic depression is chronic underemployment. Ever wonder why I have a master's degree and substitute teach?
You certainly must have determination: teaching kids with your condition must be incredibly hard.

[Thomas Veil]

Prozac is highly overated, imho.
Perhaps in comparison to other anti-depressants. But as a class, they do work.


Good citizen, I see that you are taking your allotment of Prozac. Continued performance on this level may lead to increased priviledges.
I know you're being wry, but remember the movie "THX 1138"? In that one, the government declared workers had to take drugs, to help them cope with their horrendously dehumanizing work environments.

Heck, we've already got the latter part down, so I guess it could happen.

[blackfox]

hmmm... wondering if I should be offended... nah, have to consider the source and know it wasn't meant that way...
Indeed you are correct...no ill-will towards you or anyone whose life is improved by the use of pharmaceuticals...at the time I wrote my original statement, the thread had not made the turn it subsequently did, and it was merely an attempt at levity...

I am glad you know me well enough to give me the benefit of the doubt...thanks

[Neserk]

You certainly must have determination: teaching kids with your condition must be incredibly hard.

Oddly, it will usually relieve the depression, at least while I'm teaching. There is something about feeling like I'm making a difference in someone else's life that helps.

Most of my experience is with Dysthymia which is a chronic and low grade. The down side is that it is always lurking around the corner, the upside is that I have a zillion coping skills because I get to use them frequently!

[Neserk]

Perhaps in comparison to other anti-depressants. But as a class, they do work.
.

True. Many improvements have been made. As they figure out what chemicals hit what receptors in the brain they are able to make them more target specific so the newer ones do a better job than the older ones. But people respond differently to different medications.

As a group they are a million times better for most people than the tricyclics and the MAO's.

[Neserk]

I am glad you know me well enough to give me the benefit of the doubt...thanks


:D Context is everything! (or in this case, the speaker)

[mischief]

In addition to Prozac all my most Loyal Citizens will get a specially trained Scotty Dog or trained Sheep of their choice. Now, in addition to Abstinence we have an alternative. :eek:

[Lyle]

I wish that stories from The Onion (http://www.theonion.com)'s archives were available for free, but it looks like they're only available to "Onion Premium" subscribers. This thread reminded me of an Onion story from a few months back that began:
"Seeking to broaden the customer base of the popular drug, Pfizer announced the launch of a $40 million 'Zoloft For Everything' advertising campaign Monday."I remember that the story had a little sidebar with tips to help you determine if Zoloft was right for you. The last tip was, "If you read this article, Zoloft may be right for you." :D

[LethalWolfe]

Sounds like a non-story. It's still amusing though.

Obviously a slow news day in an election year. "Someone from [insert campaign of choice] said "poop." That one word is all I heard but I'm sure it's directed towards [insert opposing campaign]."

I think it would be funny if everyone had a camera and mic on them for a month. I wonder how many things we say w/o a second thought but would end up on the nightly news if we were in any way shape or form and important and/or famous person.


Lethal