Nonsmoking Obama Could Help Push Health Care
We've always held presidents accountable for wartime decisions if, before becoming commander-in-chief, they have ever served in the army. While not necessary, it helps trust their decisions. Would you want a bad doctor making critical biomedical decisions in a hospital? Do you really want Ted Striker landing that plane? And the same goes for world leaders playing military chess over Macho Grande.
In an oblique way, that applies to a president pushing an ambitious health care agenda, trumpeting personal responsibility, and trying to expel one's own demons by ceasing a personally poisonous habit.
The President's physical yesterday revealed that, while he is fit to be president, he should continue his efforts to quit smoking. Oh, and also drink less.
But the dude often plays basketball at the White House, and at 48, is in pretty damn good health. (Even if he does indulge in the occasional Five Guys burger.) If only he could kick that tobacco habit, his lungs would be equally fortunate.
The chronicles of his addiction have been exhaustive. He promised to quit when he began campaigning for President in 2006, and anyone who's tried to put down the nicotine knows it's not a simple task.
But what a feat it would be if the President was able to stop smoking, then turn to the citizens of the United States and challenge them to take difficult steps to improve their health. This would be outstanding, as long as I don't have to quit my 2-liter of diet pop per day addiction. This blogging job has directly led to my own drinking problem.
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