If you've had your fill of Donald Trump burning up your television set with talk of walls the derision between the Democratic and Republican parties, perhaps it's time to consider Rod Silva, an independent who's thrown his hat into the ring.
Like quite a few candidates running for president, Silva is not a career politician — he's the founder of the Muscle Maker Grill restaurant chain. And, like Trump, Carson, and Fiorina, he feels that someone from outside the beltway can make a big difference. But, unlike those other non-politicians, Silva is less concerned with national security and tax reform than with making the people of our country healthier. That's why the restaurateur is running as the self-anointed candidate of the "Nutrition Party".
Though this may be a long shot, Silva has, indeed, filed the necessary paperwork to run for President of the United States in 2016 with the Federal Election Commission.
What makes a restaurateur want to run for president and what is the Nutrition Party? Silva says that the key to making America better is for all its people to lead healthier lives.
"I believe that is the greatest issue and not one of the candidates is talking about it. Our economy is devastated. We have to make America healthy."
The presidential hopeful states that even with universal healthcare, something has to be done to reverse the unhealthy trend America is taking. The Rod Silva for President website lists a ton of scary statistics showing just how unhealthy the U.S. has become, including:
- High cholesterol is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC. It affects about 71 million American adults
- Research from the State of Obesity in America notes that 20 States have an obesity rate of 30% or higher, a staggering number that keeps getting larger every year.
- According to the American Diabetes Association, 86 million U.S. residents ages 20 and older have prediabetes, which with the right timing and lifestyle changes this disease can prolong diabetes and possibly avoided altogether.
- The CDC notes that High blood pressure costs the nation $46 billion each year which includes: the cost of health care services, medications to treat high blood pressure, and missed days of work.
The restaurateur says being fit and helping other people lead healthy lives has always been a passion.
"From an early age, I've worked out. In 1995, I started Muscle Maker Grill as an alternative way for people to eat well. That's got to be a core value in your life. You have to eat good and you have to exercise and we have to talk about this as a nation."
Frustration with the system led to the healthy living mogul wanting to get out and try to make real change in the country, so he decided to run for President.
"I said, 'You know what? I'm going to reach out to people and I'm going to give them a platform that I want to talk about.' i know its a long shot but I believe that I can get that traction and awareness. Everyone knows someone that faces a major health issue."
The candidate knows it's an uphill battle to the White House, but he's hopeful his message will catch on.
"We want to begin a change. My uncle is a doctor and we will address the nation. We're dealing with politicians that are out of touch. Donald Trump thinks a million dollar loan is a small loan. Some people don't make a million dollars their whole life. I watch every debate and no one talks about the American people. We're the ones paying taxes. One thing I do know. When Americans get behind something, it's on."
Silva says he's confident that the more people who hear his message, the better chance he'll have.
"It's going to catch on fire. So many great people have gotten behind this cause. While they're trying to find a Republican, they have no idea of the fireball that's coming."
Visit RodSilva2016.com.