Sen. Paul tries to block Obama's 'political' surgeon general nominee

This issue came to my attention on 2/26/14 in an article published by The Boston Globe. The story goes something like this. Barack Obama has recently nominated Dr. Vivek Murthy as a candidate for the Surgeon General of the United States, an immensely prestigious and responsibility-laden gig. This position is typically benign when it comes to political power and influence, this candidate does not fall under that umbrella. Dr. Murthy is deeply intertwined with Obama and his administration. Dr. Murthy is president and co-founder of "Doctors for America", a group of 16000 doctors and medical students which were powerful advocates for the passing of the recent "Obamacare" legislation. The group participated in many Obamacare rallies, submitted letters to the Supreme Court to sway their opinion and promoted the legislation at the Republican National Convention. Dr. Murthy also contests that gun violence is a "public health epidemic", like heart disease. This is yet another pro-Obama stance, pushing for stiffer gun control laws.

This is where the Republican Senator from Kentucky, Rand Paul, steps in. Sen. Paul is looking to become a roadblock in the path of the nominee. Sen. Paul questions Dr. Murthy's ability to serve as an impartial health educator to the American public, and sees Dr. Murthy as a political pawn as opposed to "America's Doctor". Sen. Paul's efforts may be in vain though, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has insisted that he will continue to push the nomination through, regardless of the "hold" Sen. Paul has placed on it.

I wholeheartedly agree with Sen. Paul. The position of surgeon general is ONLY to educate the American public on health issues which are important to and effect all of us. Dr. Murthy will most certainly stray from this education-centric agenda, as it is very apparent that he has a strong pro-Obama-policy agenda already in place. His past political actions have consistently shown that his political beliefs will most definitely sway his actions as surgeon general. It is inevitable that Dr. Murthy will be appointed, based on the numbers, though it is my strong belief that a politically neutral candidate should be nominated. Dr. Murthy's stance on gun control is especially concerning. Gun control is by no means a public health issue. It is a legislative issue and nothing more. The soon to be surgeon general speaking out for gun control, muddles his credibility as a competent candidate. I can see why he would have an opinion about Obamacare, because he wants to "get paid". Obamacare more or less forces bills to get paid, instead of having to provide massive amounts of charity care, a no-brainer for a doctor. But when you as a doctor open your mouth about gun control, all credibility is gone as far as I'm concerned.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2014/02/26/rand-paul-places-hold-surgeon-general-nominee-vivek-murthy-but-serious-delay-not-likely-under-new-rules/bsAg6DMIl89NueFI5z2uFM/story.html