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Iowa Politics with Jeff Stein — Thu. Jan. 30, 2025

By Jeff Stein Jan 30, 2025 | 5:47 AM

Already A Contribution

 

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., began his hearings before Senate committees yesterday in his effort to become the next Secretary of Health and Human Services. You may not agree with all of his views—nor, should you really agree with everything any person in government advocates, in the spirit of keeping your own mind and counsel—but regardless of how this nomination progress turns out, Mr. Kennedy’s mere nomination has done some good.

 

How many of you have looked at the ingredients on a food package lately…and were inspired to do so by things Mr. Kennedy has said about overly processed food? I’m raising my hand. And as he notes, why are certain U.S.-produced items not allowed to be sold or marketed in other countries, but are just fine here at home?

 

I’m not alleging any sort of conspiracy, but let’s face it—most of us are not in good shape and are taking all manner of medications to counter that. Our eating and exercise habits are poor…and even though we know better, we don’t care. That’s not a recipe for success, and if someone in authority is calling this out, helping us see tangibly how far off the mark we have gotten—how is that a bad thing?

 

As suggested previously here with regard to vaccinations, what’s wrong with asking legitimate questions? The fervor with which some want to tamp down debate on safer foods and medicines makes me suspicious of why. And you won’t be surprised to learn it typically is traced back to power and money.

 

So Mr. Kennedy’s nomination itself aside, “Making America Healthy Again” is hardly a bad outcome. Even better if those in charge are not worried about getting paid…because there’s a better chance they’ll do the right thing.