One of the most controversial political products of nepotism to emerge from the 20th going on 21st century is the current United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary).
Leaching off the reputation of the Kennedy dynasty, the trajectory of his career has leaned towards the overconsumption of opioids, faux environmentalism, and the peddling of cheap conspiracy theories.
Robert Francis Kennedy Junior, more commonly known as RFK Jr., is perhaps the most underqualified individual to fill the role of HHS Secretary.
As one of the many Trump-appointed leaders in the country, he falls nothing short of the trend of not only having little to no qualifications, but also dismantling the very systems of the government that work to support, most notably, the working class.
Historically, the role of HHS Secretary has been occupied by those who have an extensive political background and experience in policy-making. RFK does not. When assuming a job, generally the expectation is to have a level of skill that allows one to understand the necessary tasks of one’s occupation.
The HHS Secretary is in charge of managing health and human service programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, child care, child support enforcement, substance abuse, and support for seniors. The position pertains to supporting medical and scientific research, health equity, and public health and safety.
It isn’t much of a reach to see that RFK Jr. has no experience in any of the aforementioned fields, substance abuse not included.
Much of his career has centered on environmental advocacy. With a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in environmental law, his educational background has as much value as applying to become an anesthesiologist with a degree in biomechanical engineering.
His work almost exclusively highlights environmentalism, such as litigated landmark cases against polluters, notably suits against General Electric for PCB dumping in the Hudson River, Mobil Oil for spills, and municipalities for sewage violations.
Kennedy’s business ventures followed his environmentally focused suit. Keeper Springs, a bottled water company donating to Waterkeeper, and serving on the board of VantagePoint Capital Partners, which invested in clean tech firms like Tesla. He stepped down from Riverkeeper amid staff controversies, including firings and hiring a convicted wildlife smuggler.
When considering those in charge of public health, one’s mind wouldn’t immediately go, nor would it even stray, to put an environmentalist in charge. Just as one wouldn’t hire a lawyer to perform a surgical operation on oneself, the imposition of a well-known environmental advocate, as well as a conspiracy theorist, would serve as quite the paradox. That is, unfortunately, the reality being faced as of now.
There is and should be a lack of trust in a leader of health and human services when he has a lack of trust within the very systems and modern technological advancements that serve to better public health and the well-being of U.S. citizens. The juxtaposition is that he is a very well-known anti-vaccine activist. The one in charge of health is against the one simple solution to a very widespread issue. Calling life-saving immunity “toxin” instills public fear and distrust in the very institutions that are the epitome of modern science and medicine. Failing to support evidence-based health policies is not a personal qualm but a severe disregard for the citizens who occupy this very country.
Spoiled by the luxury of the American elite, RFK Jr. could never fathom the likes of the working-class struggle. Yet many of his decisions concern key programs meant to assist the working class. HHS oversees diverse areas, including Medicare/Medicaid, infectious disease control, drug regulation, and biomedical research, where his experience is minimal, if nonexistent.
While the state of the current government remains in shambles and the cost of living is growing at an unprecedented rate, the already unaffordable health care in America is a pressing issue. The American people deserve a leader responsible for their health and safety, with expertise and clear thinking. The firing of 5,200 health workers and the removal of the CDC’s vaccine committee are the first steps in a not-so-dystopian future. Eliminating key health administrators is the precedent for dangerous, unsupported health rhetoric and the beginning of a slew of propaganda from the mind of an incoherent individual. RFK Jr. remains a political puppet under Trump. Without a suitable replacement, the very question of American health and its future remains shrouded by lies and deceit.
