USS, I appreciate your philosophical perspective and understand that what "should be" often is not what it "should be". I have worked with a number of federal and state agencies for over 25 years and I've spent a number of years lobbying in DC. I believe I have a reasonable understanding of how they work. I've seen first hand the influence big industry can have on federal and state agencies and vice versa. I don't believe that is going to change anytime soon regardless of what "should be".

My advice to CYDY is you are playing in the FDA's sand box, you need to play by their rules. If their rules are unfair and inhibiting your ability to play in their sand box, which clearly happens, then you better share your toys with someone who's already established in the sand box and has influence.

To mix metaphors, it's not that the FDA and Big Pharma have better hands than CYDY, it's that they own the deck. If the big boys like your toys chances are you're going to end up with better cards.

I advise not kicking against the pricks. Metaphor #3.