Can we adjust to a new world view?

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Sat, April 21, 2018 | 12:55

Michael McManus

Can we adjust to a new world view?

Posted : 2017-02-01 17:05

Updated : 2017-02-01 17:10

By Michael L. McManus

Every day of the new Trump administration has been filled with surprises. In the early days, literally, he orchestrated meetings at the White House with union leaders, industry CEO's and leaders, press and media, and has hosted his first official White House visit with Ms. May, the leader of the UK, and now scheduling with others for Washington visits, Japan, Germany, France, and even possibly Russia. Trump has been on a tear. He wants to prove to his support base that he is the real deal. He also wants to set a new world paradigm in motion. America will act, not wait for public opinion. America will put itself and its needy ahead of the vast needy of the planet.

We have yet to get to the more contentious of issues where Trump attempts to set the world stage. Oh, yes, demonstrations about visas and abortion he can handle. The people march. Trump decides. He does it in his office, the Oval Office, and signs executive orders with a coterie of staff and supporters right behind him. Only music is missing!

But, what about the big bombs? What about the obese boy from the north? What will be the style of the new President going up against the tin trumpet with nukes? It is sure to be a Korean drama unlike what viewers of Korean TV drama are used to. On TV, snow flies, Japan is always involved, and the good-guys only sometimes win. Half the time, the good guys end up dead. I watched "Iris I" and II. With zeal, I saw the heroes die. The Washington script on this drama just will not end that way. I think people in Korea and worldwide now know that Trump will not back off a standoff; he will not lose any contest and may even enjoy making complete fun of his protagonist.

Other news from the Eastern Pacific. Prescription drugs have always enjoyed a tender price market in the US. The average prescription drug is cheaper to the consumer in many countries. There is no real global mechanism to govern the consumer price level except governments and most have heavy pressure from the global pharmaceuticals to keep prices acceptable to local markets and medical needs yet sufficient to produce good shareholder and corporate gains.

Now, wouldn't you have it…. A company has emerged to quote you on the spot what each of most drug store chains as well as local super-market dispensaries will charge for the same medicine on the same

day. This is a market disruptive phenomenon. So, we went for a simple dermatological condition, rosacea, a mild form of acre which strikes many women in middle age. The aggressive responsive is a tetracycline type antibiotic (oral) for 30 days. The doctor actually taught us how this new system works. The price for the product for 30 days varied between $32 and $130 within a 10 square distance of our location. We went to the lowest price pharmacy and sure enough, it cost $32. I called my own pharmacy just to make sure and sure enough, they wanted $132 for exactly the same drug, same quantity, etc.. This is all new. I see it as a major disruptor of the consumer pharmaceutical markets which will have the effect of bring true price competition to a market which has avoided it so far.

More news from California. The rains of California have returned and the state is looking at relief from a years long drought. Places in the High Sierra have received over 25 feet of snow in just the last ten days.

SoCal has almost caught up on its annual shortfall of rains. Everything in SoCal is actually green, much more like this time in NorCal. Skies cleared beautifully for the San Diego Open at Torrey Pines. Tiger Woods tried for a comeback here but found his condition and age may just matter after all.

The media nationally and locally are ever so gradually adjusting to the Trumpian era. The problem with describing it is that every day there is news from the Whitehouse that tops anything in the days before. A bit like following a moving target, every moment is almost anticipatable. Most of us are realizing that it may be a time of a major shift in history and world views.

Michael McManus is an adjunct professor at Gachon University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Sookmyung Women's University. He writes regularly for the Korea Times on global changes, cultural issues and everyday wisdom. Comment is welcome at mcmismism@aol.com.

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