UNIVERSAL MEDICARE AND HOWARD SCHULTZ

While I agree that it should be discussed, I disagree with the proposal for a “universal Medicare” program in the US – doing away with private health insurance companies and replacing it with government insurance – or basically socialized medicine.  While it may be an eventual solution in the future, it is not something that can, or should, be immediately implemented.

I actually like much of the basic premise of Obamacare, but with some tweaks – having the government provide direct point of purchase credits to reduce monthly health insurance premium payments for individuals who cannot afford it, and requiring insurance companies to cover “pre-existing” conditions.

My tweaks – 

Health insurance coverage should NOT be mandatory, employers should NOT be required to provide it, and those who do not have or provide what is considered “adequate” coverage should NOT be penalized.  And individuals should NOT be required to purchase the insurance through a government marketplace to be eligible for the advance premium credit.

I agree that insurance companies can be arbitrary in deciding on covered items, and perhaps there could be legislature to address this, similar to the mandatory coverage of “pre-existing” conditions.

I agree with Howard Shultz that the average mainstream Democrat does NOT support the kind of socialized medicine being proposed by several candidates.  

Sadly, while -

(1) in my opinion at first glance Schultz may perhaps be a perfect candidate for my political beliefs - an economically conservative, socially liberal "centralist" businessman (an actual self-made smart and savvy businessman who actually built a truly iconic business from scratch, coming from poverty),

(2) I agree that a too far-left Democratic Party platform may hurt chances for a Democratic victory, and

(3) I see the need for and in the past have supported 3rd Party candidates,

the 2020 election is not necessarily the right election for an independent candidacy.

The 2020 Presidential election may be the most important election in my lifetime. If deplorable, despicable, dangerous demagogue Donald T Rump lasts in office until 2020 – and hopefully he will not - he MUST not be re-elected. The most important issue of the 2020 election is putting an end to our national nightmare by defeating Trump – the future of America and the world depends on it.

While moderate Republicans could and probably would support Schultz, I fear that he would take more votes away from the Democratic candidate and potentially increase the chances of Trump being re-elected.

If he ran as a Democratic or a Republican candidate, I would seriously consider supporting him after reviewing his yet undisclosed platform and proposals. Otherwise so far, I am leaning toward Michael Bloomberg as a Democratic candidate.  But it is still early, and I expect there will be many more Democrats throwing their hats into the ring.  I also truly hope there will be Republicans challenging moron Trump in the primaries.

TAFN