As Donald J. Trump embarked on his second term as President, the array of unexpected developments was indeed astonishing, with the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services being an intriguing highlight. The peculiarity of this choice stems directly from Kennedy himself: his lineage from one of America’s most iconic families, an unpredictable track record in politics, and an unconventional affinity for the natural world. It’s an odd pairing, considering Kennedy’s staunch support for health and wellness and Trump’s infamous penchant for fast food. This divergence was noticeably displayed when Kennedy engaged in a singular event aboard Trump’s private aircraft.
However, when you peel back the layers, Kennedy’s unclear adherence to libertarian principles and his zeal for deregulation fit quite well into Trump’s second term cadre. After his appointment, he promptly dipped into the Department of Government Efficiency handbook, implementing cost-cutting measures to his newly inherited department. These included the purported release of 10% of the Center for Disease Control’s workforce and the dismissal of 1,500 members from the National Institute of Health.
Kennedy’s brainchild, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, reflects an intense concentration on health and environmental hazards that has increasingly veered right politically. There is a particular arm of the MAHA project that targets the deteriorating condition of the human body, centered on the belief that swift fixes, processed diets, hazardous environmental substances, and inactive lifestyles consistently erode overall human health.
Proponents of these views prefer to adopt proactive approaches such as alterations to dietary habits, the employment of cognitive enhancing substances, regular exercise schedules, and innovative therapeutic techniques, all aimed at preserving and enhancing the quality of life. Though this community fosters a feeling of unity, it primarily thrives on digital platforms where endless debates on diet regimes, workout guides, and other health trends serve to solidify shared obsessions rather than initiate broader social or political collaboration.
There is yet another emerging tendency that emphasizes escape— somewhat of a reaction toward circumventing the decaying societal structure prevalent in the waning era of our empire. For some, this entails readying for an imminent downfall. Others look to find solace in isolation or at home, places where they feel they have more control over their daily lives.
This fascination with personal purity and retreat from communal activities can give rise to reactionary politics. Such seclusion could quicken this shift as many individuals primarily yearn for the freedom to live without interference from governing bodies. Irony lies in the stark fact that issues fostered by the existing political-economic structure self-destructively impede the collective effort necessary to transform this troubling system.
An issue too grave to overlook are the alarming levels of microplastics accumulating in our natural surroundings – in the sea, within wildlife, and even making their way into our brains. American capitalism has earned an infamous reputation for consistently producing such “externalities.” These intersecting dilemmas pose a wider causality, intensifying the ubiquitous terror rampant in present-day American society.
In an ideal setting, such crises would ignite political participation, especially to acknowledge the urgent call for systemic change. Conversely, their overwhelming nature may compel individuals to succumb to negative inclinations – a sensation that their personal health and kin are in immediate danger.
Appreciating the comprehensive scope and tangible outcomes of these crises, along with the contemplations of the finite lifespan of an individual, one could argue that such reactions are, quite realistically, rational responses. Falling ill – and the ensuing fight for recovery – can trap an individual within an insular universe, one that, hopefully, includes support from family.
Enduring an illness demands an extraordinary commitment and time, which, in turn, often leaves little room for social contribution or political involvement. In most situations, falling sick doesn’t just hinder participation but also depletes energy that could otherwise be used towards active engagement.
This gives rise to a societal and political quandary and epitomizes an unfortunate reality where a crucial promoter of health and environmental crises is one who supports a system that appears indifferent to human necessities. The critical concern here is not purported governmental overreach or individual wrongdoings, but an economic system that turns a blind eye to human needs.
Such a system is bound to proliferate health-hazardous products while limiting access to simpler, healthier alternatives. It causes an influx of detrimental plastics and cancer-causing substances into the environment and then proposes pharmaceutical remedies that create as many complications as they claim to amend.
The fundamental problem persists — under this system, the economic bottom line overshadows the welfare of those who generate the value. This raises important questions about the effectiveness of this system in providing satisfactory solutions to the health and environmental crises at hand.
Ultimately, we must reconsider the priorities of our economic system. Its skewed focus on profit, often at the expense of people and the environment, is both unsustainable and damaging. A transformative shift is necessary — one that values human wellbeing and environmental preservation above mere profit-making.