Corruption Trump And His Friends Poem by James McLain

New York state is paying 20 cents for gloves that normally cost less than five cents, $7.50 for masks that normally go for 50 cents, $2,795 for infusion pumps that normally cost half that, $248,841 for a portable X-ray machine that typically sells for $30,000 to $80,000.

Who's pocketing all this? An array of producers, importers, wholesalers and speculators. State laws against price gouging usually don't apply to government purchases.

Some of it may be finding its way into this fall's election campaigns. The veteran Republican fundraiser Mike Gula and Republican political operative John Thomas just started a company selling coronavirus testing kits, personal protective equipment and other 'hard to find medical supplies to beat the outbreak'. They call themselves 'the largest global network of Covid-19 medical suppliers'.

Asked how he'd found such equipment, Gula explained: 'I have relationships with a lot of people.'

Thomas added: 'In politics - especially if you're at a high enough level - you are one phone call away from anybody in the world.'