national heritage
M I N D L E S S M E N A C E
4 pages — 1 —
INTRODUCTION
Is there a link between our nation’s HEALTH problems and the violence occurring within the close neighborhood of every resident person’s Family? Clearly, violence is a daily intrusion into the fabric of our lives, not only near the homes where we live but also from within the neighborhoods of the communities that surround these homes. The national scourge of this violence was a central theme for Senator Robert Kennedy during his 1968 Presidential campaign. His thoughts apply equally to our nation’s progressive loss of social cohesion, community by community.
Referring to the Mindless Menace Of Violence Throughout Our Land, this is what he said:
“Our lives on this planet are too short, and the work to be done too great
to let this spirit flourish any longer in our land.
Of course, we cannot vanish it with a program nor with a resolution.
But we can perhaps remember, if only for a time,
that those who live with us are our brothers and sisters;
that they share with us the same short moment of life;
that they seek, as do we, nothing but the chance
to live out their lives in purpose and happiness,
winning what satisfaction and fulfillment they can.
Surely this bond of a common fate, this bond of a common goal,
can begin to teach us something.
Surely we can learn, at least,
to look at those around us as our brothers and sisters; and
Surely we can begin to work a little harder
to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our hearts,
brothers and sisters, compatriots once again.” *
Robert F. Kennedy (1925 – 1968)
“a common goal”
Senator Kennedy referred to “…this bond of a common goal…” as a connection that binds all of our nation’s resident persons, one to another. He implored each resident person to invest in this connection by reaching out to “…bind up the wounds among us…”. In effect, he was pleading for a national reconciliation, neighborhood by neighborhood. As our nation adapts to its rapidly evolving social, political, and economic change, this national reconciliation could be the best body armor against the pervasive “mindless menace of violence.” No doubt, any national reconciliation would require many other forms of body armor for shielding every family from the violence engulfing each neighborhood within the entire worldwide community.
Now 50+ years later, his plea for a national reconciliation could also be a motivating force for the fundamental reform of our nation’s healthcare. At a minimum, let us all agree that healthcare reform should achieve “Stable HEALTH For Each Resident Person” in every state, community by community. Locally driven and nationally supported healthcare reform could help each resident person achieve the fullest expression of their Well-Being for living “…in purpose and in happiness.” Maybe, this new strategy for healthcare reform could also help us to live as “…brothers and sisters, compatriots once again.”
The opening quotation concludes a speech given by Senator Robert F. Kennedy on April 5, 1968. (Kennedy R 1968) He gave the speech to the City Club in Cleveland as a candidate for our nation’s Presidency. During his Presidential campaign, Senator Kennedy spoke about the mindless menace of violence on 12 occasions. The City Club event was the last time he gave the speech, and it occurred one day after the death of The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Two months later, Senator Kennedy also died from the same mindless menace of violence. The tragic deaths of The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., Senator Robert F. Kennedy, as well as his brother President John F. Kennedy in 1968 serve to magnify the special significance of the combined legacy represented by these three men.
“I have a dream”
To honor Senator Kennedy and especially The Reverend Doctor King, now is the time to reform the fundamental traditions of our nation’s HEALTH and its healthcare industry. Could it be that for our nation’s healthcare reform to be successful, it must start by promoting Stable HEALTH For Each Resident Person, community by community? Could it be that this new strategy for our nation’s HEALTH would also be one solid step ahead as we struggle to reduce the mindless menace of violence throughout our land? — 3 —
To understand the significance of this violence within our nation, the most common cause of death between 1 and 24 years of age is accidental injury: 30%. The second most common cause of death between 1 and 24 years of age is non-accidental injury. Tragically, non-accidental injury from homicide and suicide represents an additional 25% of the total deaths in this age group.
NATIONAL HEALTH
The VISION for NATIONAL HEALTH promotes a precisely defined plan to achieve a perpetually reforming healthcare industry. If successful, it is possible that this “Stable HEALTH for Each Resident Person” would also simultaneously promote the ideals of Doctor King and the Kennedy brothers. As a result, the improved level of Social Cohesion within each community may be the best means to honor all the other pioneers of our national heritage as we reduce the “…mindless menace of violence” in our land.
* NOTE: The words in italics represent my edit of this speech as Senator Kennedy might have amended it for delivery in 2026, some 58 years later.