Let's see how things play out over the next month. It seems those who will be fired will likely
get their notice in the next two weeks.
The FDA needed reform, but whether this is the reform it needed is another question.
What I would like to see is for the groups that act as our lobbying agencies to lay out a plan to gain the attention of high-level politicians from both parties. This is a veterans issue, which means both sides will want to claim a win or act in a bipartisan way.
I would like a lobbyist to come to our forum and explain what is going on, what steps they are taking to raise awareness of our condition, and how they plan to use this moment to influence the FDA's rulemaking in our favor. I know there are people who claim to represent us, and I would love to have an AMA with them.
On the Democratic side, we know Tim Walz has tinnitus. He is a potential presidential candidate in the next race. How can we get his attention? How can we let him know there is real promise in this device? What other key Democrats have tinnitus? What well-known Democratic celebrities or donors are affected? And once we have their attention, what should our next steps be?
On the Republican side, Trump signed an executive order to reduce regulation at the FDA, though the agency remains in a state of uncertainty. How do we ensure that our lobbyists are guiding those changes in a direction that benefits us? Pete Hegseth, a veteran himself, likely understands how valuable tinnitus relief would be for troops and vets. What Trump-supporting celebrities have tinnitus? How can we influence RFK Jr.?
I will deal with everything else in my life at another time. For now, I want the lobbyists to participate in an AMA and help us understand what progress they are making with both parties, and how they are advocating for our interests during this period of transition.
Whether I personally view the changes at the FDA as positive or negative does not matter. What matters is that this device is fully vetted and moved through the process quickly, and that other future devices or medications are also reviewed and advanced without delay.
We are all on the same team. We are all suffering together. I have my own strongly held political beliefs, but at this moment, I do not care if Barry Goldwater or Eugene Debs comes back from the grave to secure research funding for our condition and help get this device approved. I am not going to reject support from anyone who is willing to help. I do not care if Dukakis or Reagan want to tell me they cured tinnitus, as long as I can hear them say it instead of hearing this constant hssssssssssssss every second of every day.