In our latest Liberty Update, CFIF highlights the debut of the "Most Favored Patient" initiative, which…
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Image of the Day: Drug Prices Are CHEAPER in the U.S. Than Other Developed Nations

In our latest Liberty Update, CFIF highlights the debut of the "Most Favored Patient" initiative, which offers the optimal blueprint going forward for lower drug costs, greater access and better healthcare.

Well, the policy heavyweights behind Most Favored Patient come from the group at Unleash Prosperity, including Steve Forbes, Stephen Moore, Phil Kerpen, and Thomas Philipson.  And in addition to their new work at Most Favored Patient, they've unveiled a new commentary explaining how drug prices in the U.S. are actually cheaper than in other developed nations with which we're often unfairly compared:

It IS true that Americans pay more for new drugs under patent. That, of course, is because American pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars inventing the major breakthrough…[more]

August 18, 2025 • 12:35 PM

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Jester’s Courtroom
Man Sues Over Right to Run
Thursday, June 27 2013

A Pennsylvania dad is suing his son's track coach, athletic director, principal, superintendent and school board after his son was removed from the high school track team.

Ervin Mears, Jr., is seeking $40 million in damages plus 2012 and 2013 varsity letters and championship jackets on the grounds that his son was subject to bullying and harassment.  Mears, who ran track in high school and the military, said his son "comes from a family of track winners." 

According to news reports, Mears' son was the "undefeated champ" in the 200-, 400- and 800-meter runs as an eighth grader and that the dispute began when the boy entered ninth grade and the track coach disagreed over which races the young man should run.  Mears claims it is unfair that his son was not allowed to compete and get exposure. 

"If he doesn't qualify, then the clock will say he's not fast enough," said Mears, who worries his son may be losing out on the possibility of a college athletic scholarship.

"Children have rights," Mears, 68, said, "just like any adult."

Unexcused absences from practice were the official reason Mears said he was given for his son's dismissal. That's an excuse, Mears said. A family death and injured leg kept his son away. The suit alleges that not allowing the boy to participate constitutes bullying, harassment and an "abusive school environment" in which his rights to due process and freedom of speech were impeded.

"Participation in extracurricular activities is a right," Mears said.

Source: Philly.com

Restaurant Sued for Serving Hot Food Hot
Thursday, June 20 2013

A Michigan woman is suing a restaurant claiming her hot corned beef hash was too hot.

Allysen Kauppinen recently filed a lawsuit in Washtenaw County, Michigan, seeking more than $25,000 in damages from Luca's Coney Island restaurant on grounds that the hot corned beef hash she was served burned her mouth. Kauppinen claims she was forced to seek medical attention and avoid solid food for a month, all of which caused her "great emotional upset, embarrassment and pain," according to the lawsuit.

“The hash apparently had been heated in a microwave oven and was considerably hotter than (she) was expecting,” the suit states. “…She sustained serious burns to the skin in her mouth and on her palate.”

Luca’s owner, Mike Nuculaj, countered that his corned beef hash is not microwaved and is cooked on the restaurant’s grill.

“It’s ridiculous. Corned beef hash has to come hot. Hot food is served hot, cold is served cold,” he said.  “I’m sorry the lady never came to see me. (Now) it’s for the courts. I’m shocked and I’m surprised.”

Source: AnnArbor.com

One Man's Injury is Another Man's Lawsuit
Thursday, June 13 2013

A longtime Chicago Bulls fan is suing star player Derrick Rose claiming Rose's extended leave due to a serious ACL injury affected the fan's health and well-being.

Matthew Thompson reportedly filed a lawsuit against the Bull's point guard, claiming Rose's lingering injury and year-long absence from the court caused Thompson multiple mental breakdowns and emotional distress. Thompson further alleges that Rose's "negligent behavior" in not returning to the court after being cleared by team doctors caused Thompson's current "obesity issues."

Despite Rose's absence, the Bulls made the 2013 NBA Playoffs.

Source: International Business Times

Armed Robbery Suspect's Widow Sues Store Clerk
Thursday, June 06 2013

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in New Mexico by the widow and child of an armed robbery suspect against the store clerk who shot him.

According to news reports, Ramon Sedillo walked into Full Spectrum Smoke Shop with a gun, intending to rob the store. Instead, store clerk Matthew Beasley fired his gun, killing Sedillo and injuring his 17-year-old accomplice.

The civil lawsuit claims Beasley was in the wrong because store surveillance video shows Beasley watching Sedillo and his accomplice get ready for the crime and Beasley had sufficient time to call the police or leave the store before firing his gun at the suspected robbers. Instead, the lawsuit alleges Beasley decided to "ambush" the thieves.

“He had no basis to believe that his life was in danger," Sedillo's attorney, Amavalise Jaramillo, said.  "Most robberies end with an attempt to get money.  They really don’t kill the clerks."

Beasley's attorney, Tom Briones, claims there was no time to call police.

“Mr. Sedillo pulled out a gun and pointed it right at him," Briones said.  "That prompted Mr. Beasley to pull his gun and fire his weapon.”

The lawsuit also names the clerk's boss for allowing him to work, knowing he had a gun, and the Albuquerque Police Department for holding the widow against her will for four hours of questioning and telling her to call her husband when the officers knew he was dead.

Source: wrqe.com (New Mexico)

Playing with Fire
Wednesday, May 29 2013

An Illinois woman who fell into a bonfire is suing the owner of the barn, the sorority that sponsored an event at the location, and the liquor store that supplied alcohol to the party.

Lauren Bucaro, a student at Illinois State University, is seeking more than $50,000 in damages in a lawsuit against Pleasant View Farms and its owner Sam Payne, the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and University Liquors. According to news reports, the lawsuit accuses Payne of failing to provide security for guests and safety measures, including the creation of “a dangerous condition on the premises by growing the bonfire so big that it became unsafe and dangerous for his guests.” The lawsuit further alleges that the sorority failed to provide enough "event monitors" for the party and University Liquors did not obtain the necessary licenses.

Police reports indicate Bucaro had a blood alcohol level of 0.145 percent, which is almost twice the legal limit for driving. Payne also alleged Bucaro “climbed on top of a burning fire and posed for a picture for her boyfriend.”

“How is that my fault?” said Payne, who is no longer hosting barn dances.

Source: pantagraph.com



Notable Quote   
 
"Just weeks before President Donald Trump federalized the Washington, D.C., police force over crime woes, the Metropolitan Police Department was hit with accusations of allegedly juking crime stats for more favorable results.'When our members respond to the scene of a felony offense where there is a victim reporting that a felony occurred, inevitably there will be a lieutenant or a captain that will…[more]
 
 
— Emma Colton, Fox News
 
Liberty Poll   

Do you believe that President Trump's ordered deployment of National Guard troops to enhance police efforts in Washington, D.C., will yield a significant, measurable reduction in that city's crime rates?