https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/29/politics/howard-schultz-medicare-for-all-cnntv/index.html
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Schultz Medicare for All
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has recently been raising rumors of running for President. One point that he has repeatedly raised is that the "Medicare for All" proposal that some members of the progressive wing of the Democratic party want to enact. Schultz stated that the proposal is unaffordable and that the Affordable Care Act is a good starting point but tweaks have to be made to bring premiums under control.
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2 comments:
Interesting article, Greg. Schultz seems to leave more questions unanswered than answered in his statements. The first of which is obviously, if all of these things are un-American, then what exactly does "American" mean to him? It's certainly a question someone would be likely to ask in a debate, if his "contemplation of an independent presidential run" becomes reality.
The second is a two-parter: do his comments on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's proposed 70% marginal tax rate on income over $10 million reflect a level of self-interest? And could his wealth and possible presidential bid be seen as an intention to put another wealthy businessman in the oval office? It seems as though his situation's similarity to that of President Trump's could be a potential bump in his road to the presidency. Again, he used the word "American" three times in the quote provided by CNN about OC's tax idea.
Final point, it seems very possible that he would pull more heavily from Democrats than from Republicans if he decides to make an official bid. Certainly it would be wiser just not to run in the first place.
He certainly does leave questions unanswered, something not new for someone seeking political office. American politicians have often used "Un-American" for all sorts of causes that are questionable, think HUAC, but what actually is "Un-American" is something that will remain undecided and up for debate. As he personally isn't receiving a salary as Starbucks CEO so his income probably wouldn't qualify for that $10 Million threshold so it probably isn't self-interest. In truth Presidential systems often end up electing someone outside the political system to the Presidency at some point in their history. While at one point this meant Generals like Washington, Grant, or Eisenhower and one could even go so far as to say the Brazilian President Bolsonaro today, more than often not today it means wealthy people, more often than not this means those who built up successful companies. While some may hold his corporate career against him, growing his business effectively from the ground up, unlike the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, will be something that will play well to many Amrericans. It will depend, if the Democratic party nominates a self-identified "Democratic Socialist" than I'd agree with that point but if a more moderate member of the Democratic party, like a Joe Biden or a Steve Bullock, then he may pull more from Republicans who are dissatisfied with President Trump. It depends on whose perspective it would or wouldn't be wiser to run for President, certainly from the perspective of the major party candidates.
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