America a democracy? Looks good on paper but that good lookin' green paper is what runs this country.

For example, pharmaceutical money trumps all the votes any referendum could muster. Medical marijuana, approved by the democratic process in 11 states, is being shot down by Washington law makers, bought and paid for by you know who.

Of course marijuana isn't good for you.

But no one has ever overdosed on it, compared to the tens of thousands of deaths every year linked to properly prescribed pharmaceuticals.

Anyone that hasn't heard the stats probably thinks I'm out of my gourd, but it's true. Properly administered prescription drugs help keep the lights on at The Casket Store.

Politicians will tell you that we can't just let laymen approve therapies by popular vote; yet there are plenty of doctors who see the benefits of marijuana and a lot of information available to make informed choices.

This isn't about officials who care about our health, it's about their condos and yachts.

One more example that you probably haven't heard of is the coming regulations for vitamins and other supplements.

Why isn't this bill front-page-news - well I know why - dollars.

Anyway, the World Trade Organization has already implemented strict guidelines for supplements in Germany and Canada and has its sights set on the U.S. this summer.

The bill that is coming up for vote soon turns simple over-the-counter vitamins into prescriptions.

The manufacture has to be overseen by pharmaceuticals ($) and you can't even get them without going to a doctor first ($).

In Germany, a bottle of vitamin E that used to cost $10 now costs $200.

The flimsy excuse Hillary and the rest of them will give you for voting for the bill is that we have to listen to the WTO in order to keep our markets open (extortion) and/or people should seek professional advice before taking vitamin C (we're dummies).

You mean the same advice that prescribed Vioxx? Thanks, but no thanks.

We're in the information age and, short of broken bones or surgery, I can take care of myself - if this great democracy of ours will let me.

For all the good it will do, write your congressman and let him know that you've got a handle on dispensing ginkgo and echinacea.

I know the pharmaceuticals are used to profits doubling every few years, but can't our elected officials act on behalf of the American people - just once in a while?

Lonsky is a Genoa resident and a spokesman for Adults for Rational Government (ARG)