So the first thing I see when looking at CNN this morning is that HHS is firing another 10,000 positions. This includes some at the CDC. I’m unhappy about that one the most because, you know, measles and bird flu. But I’m unhappy overall. 10,000 firings on top of the 10,000 that have already left. Sure, let’s make more shortages of personnel and overwork them, sounds good! /sarcasm
From (of course) CNN: In its announcement, HHS said it will consolidate from 28 to 15 divisions, including a new Administration for a Healthy America, and will reduce regional offices from 10 to five. The workforce reduction will save $1.8 billion per year, the agency said. HHS’ new priority will be to end “America’s epidemic of chronic illness by focusing on safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins,” the agency said.
Remember I said pontificate? “We aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement. “This Department will do more – a lot more – at a lower cost to the taxpayer.” Ugh. That’s wordy. End the epidemic of chronic illness? You can try all you want, but it will NOT be as simple as you are trying to make it sound. But still. You are sounding very preachy, RFK Jr.
Okay, so let’s take a bit of a closer look. “Safe, wholesome food”. Well, that’s all well and good, but there are multiple variables to consider when trying to do this. My first question is so are all of our farmers NOT growing “safe” food? They’re doin’ it wrong? Or our citrus growers? Apples? They are supposed to stop everything they’re doing and grow things a different way? How, then? He needs to think about that a LOT before he gets all high and mighty. We can’t control how our import partners grow their products. And really, what *do* you mean about safe, wholesome food? Explain, please.
Clean water. We’ve been trying to do that for literally decades. We’re making progress, but it’s slow. There are so many variables in this to define, and I’d like to know *how* he intends to do that. Rivers? Wells? The streams and creeks that go into those rivers? Does he have a better way? And if so, what is it? Please tell me – I’d like to know. Is he going to go upstream to the source? And what about fluoride in the water, which has saved many, many teeth? Are you going to push to take that out, which would be stupid? Of course, I’ve never seen him be exactly the brightest bulb in the box.
Environmental toxins. Again, something we have been working on for decades. Companies don’t like all the rules and regulations, and they’re going to fight back. It all depends on who has the most money to go to the EPA or other organizations to push back. Money talks, and more so these days with the Mango Mandarin rolling back all sorts of protections. You’ll have to fight him to get anything done, and that’s challenging. So, the money goes up the line until companies get what they want. For example, fracking is not the cleanest of processes, and there are more on the list.
That’s a whole lot of work to be put in for such lofty goals. RFK Jr might get things started, but finish? I’m not too sure about that. Of course, if we’re lucky, it will be a *good* start and well worth following, and we’ll only have to put up with his stupidity for a little less than 4 years. Work on defining your goals first, RFK Jr. Then we can talk.
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If GOP are so concerned with people getting healthy food, why are they pulling back trucks filled with healthy food for the poor and then letting millions of dollars of food rot? GOP doesn’t know what they’re doing.
Oh, you’ll have no argument from me on that. How about all the food that was supposed to go overseas that is now rotting because DOGE is trying to shut down USAID? Someone should bring this to ERFK Jr’s attention, but he will ignore it because “he knows best what needs to be done”. He is blind and cannot see.
Buzz word, gaslight, gobbledy shmoo!! Kennedy is claiming to have a new core mission…Administration for a Healthy America…in his video he proudly calls it A-HA💪 (as in look what I found)! He says the mission is healthy food, reduction of environmental toxins, clean air & water, reduce chronic illness and increase mental health…all while reducing costs!! He won’t be the first to find out you cannot guarantee a reduction of costs when you are the one creating a new bureaucratic focus!!
How will you get healthy foods to families that live in low-income food deserts without spending money?! How will you clean up toxic environments in those same low-income areas, where industries put their toxin-spewing plants, without spending money?! How will you do anything about the chronic illnesses like cancer and asthma and type 2 diabetes that are concentrated in those same areas, because that’s where the toxins are and healthy food isn’t, while saving money?!
Sounds a lot like Kennedy is already putting up “Mission Accomplished” banners before the hard work has even begun!! 💪☝️👏