The appointment of Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) and his confirmation as the 26th director of the Department of Health and Human Services brings the issues of health, and the welfare of all Americans front and center.
Robert Kennedy was a darling of the progressive movement until he had the audacity to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President at a time when the left-wing establishment was squarely behind President Biden. An environmental lawyer, and with the magical Kennedy name, he became a pariah when he endorsed President Trump, even committing the progressive sin of coining the slogan, “Make America Healthy Again,” a play on “Make America Great again” used by President Trump.
RFK Jr. being appointed as HHS Director brings back memories of his uncles, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s presidency and its emphasis on the health and fitness of all Americans in general, but American youth in particular. The Council on Physical Fitness was established by President Eisenhower but emphasized to a much greater degree by President Kennedy. The fitness of the American population in general, but mostly our youth, was a concern in 1961, and fitness has gotten steadily worse in the passing 64 years. Medical conditions and diseases associated with being overweight are common and sadly accepted as normal.
Being overweight or obese can contribute to a number of medical conditions, and a few are heart disease, type-two diabetes, stroke, cancers (breast, colon, endometrial, kidney, and esophageal), sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, gall bladder disease, fatty liver disease, mental health issues, high blood pressure, reproductive health problems, and digestive problems.
Being overweight cuts a lot of years off from the back end of our lives. Our life expectancy drops by an estimated 14 years if we are obese. The quality of our lives also is severely diminished by being overweight. The standard retort of a person not so slowly killing themselves is, they have a medication or physical ailment that makes them overweight.
Indeed, a small percent of Americans do have a condition that contributes to a weight problem. However, the vast majority do not but most use that excuse. Please discuss all conditions with your physician before you embrace that excuse. The saying coined by Bill Jordan “the maximum effective range of an excuse is zero meters” just may be in effect here. Fourteen years is not a short period of time; 14 years with your spouse, children, grandchildren, friends and family is no small thing.
When I spent three years in Asia and never saw an obese person, I was led to inquire why. When I asked a number of Koreans why, the reply was that when someone we care about starts to become overweight, we talk to them and help lose weight. A compassionate and thoughtful thing to do, but one that will get you ostracized and labeled a fat shamer in our nation.
Just how helping a person we love live a longer and happier life became a horrible thing speaks to the power of the progressive movement and the diversity, equity and inclusion holy grail.
Again, a small percentage of Americans, less than 5%, have a medical condition that makes it very difficult to lose weight, but 95% do not. Even the 5% can extend their lives by weight loss, but it is more difficult for them than the 95%.
The cost to our nation of the obesity crisis in dollars is enormous, as is the loss of life. Asking a loved one to talk to their physician and determine if they are able to lose weight, as it is in 95% of the cases, is a compassionate and loving action. Contrary to the current belief, it is neither a crime nor a horrible act. My opinion.
