Howard Schultz Threatens 3rd Party Run

It seems they're more common than rats in NYC or churches in the Deep South.
Remember that scene in one of the Shrek films where the terrified customer of one Farbucks ran across the street to the other Farbucks? That wasn't an exaggeration. Last time we went to the Seattle public library (Ok, it's been quite a while), there were Starbucks on the other THREE corners. Having them on two corners is routine.

But I've defeated them! I bought a fancy automatic espresso machine so I no longer have to go to Town and get my wife two iced lattes daily. I just make sure the machine has enough Starbucks branded beans. Aww, crappe.
 
Remember that scene in one of the Shrek films where the terrified customer of one Farbucks ran across the street to the other Farbucks? That wasn't an exaggeration. Last time we went to the Seattle public library (Ok, it's been quite a while), there were Starbucks on the other THREE corners. Having them on two corners is routine.

But I've defeated them! I bought a fancy automatic espresso machine so I no longer have to go to Town and get my wife two iced lattes daily. I just make sure the machine has enough Starbucks branded beans. Aww, crappe.

I don't like their coffee at all. It tastes burnt to me.
 

The reason the country can't afford it is all of the middle-men. It's a problem that has grown over time because it wasn't designed right in the first place. Now there are a lot of "vested interests" who will fight for the status quo or for more subsidies so that people can buy private insurance, but nothing that will hurt their own bottom like. The system is set up to please insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and doctors, but not to be efficient.

If anyone's curious, here's how they do things in Japan:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Health_Insurance_(Japan)

National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 Kokumin-Kenkō-Hoken) is one of the two major types of insurance programs available in Japan. The other is Employees' Health Insurance (健康保険 Kenkō-Hoken). National Health insurance is designed for people who are not eligible to be members of any employment-based health insurance program. Although private insurance is also available, all Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and any non-Japanese residing in Japan with a visa lasting three months or longer are required to be enrolled in either National Health Insurance or Employees' Health Insurance.[1] On July 9, 2012, the alien registration system was abolished and foreigners are now able to apply as part of the Basic Resident Registration System. Foreigners who reside in Japan for more than three months need to register for national health insurance.[2]

So that basically covers literally everyone except people who are here for less than 3 months. And everyone is required to be enrolled in one of these 2 programs. Simple.

How much does it cost? I can't quote an exact number right now, but it seems to be very reasonable compared to what I hear about the cost of insurance in the US.

According to this:
https://www.healthsystemtracker.org...-spend-half-much-per-person-health-u-s-spends

In 2017, the US spent $10,224 per capita on healthcare, Japan $4,717 per capita. So less than half.

Clearly 'Murica is "Doing It Wrong" when it comes to healthcare. And maybe Japan's system isn't perfect, I get that, but it is affordable, rational and efficient.
 
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Clearly 'Murica is "Doing It Wrong" when it comes to healthcare. And maybe Japan's system isn't perfect, I get that, but it is affordable, rational and efficient.

Clearly 'Murica is "Doing It Wrong",when you consider how many are uninsured or underinsured because they can't afford it. No system is perfect. Perfection is impossible. We have to strive for is the least not perfect "not perfect" system.
 
Clearly 'Murica is "Doing It Wrong",when you consider how many are uninsured or underinsured because they can't afford it. No system is perfect. Perfection is impossible. We have to strive for is the least not perfect "not perfect" system.

Yeah. That too. Japan's system covers everybody. (Those in the country for less than 3 months excepted, but even they can generally buy affordable travel insurance).
 
So in some ways Schultz is actually kinda more traditional Republican (Chamber of Commerce type) than Trump.
It hasn't been addressed but his economic positions are Paul Ryan style far right of the current GOP. He's a cut everything to the bone to give tax cuts type.
 
Sound a lot like another person who became president.

It does. But Schultz is smarter and was actually a successful business man. And even though I despise Trump, he's still the train wreck that you turn to watch. Schultz is more boring to watch than grass growing.
 
Even if he runs, the guy will not get much traction.
Would not be surprised if he ends up trying for the Libertarian party nod.
I am not thrilled with Cortez's Tax Plan either (I think the trigger for 70% should be considerably higher then Ten Million dollars a year) but I note other Dems are not exactly rushing out to support it. It's going nowhere.
Problem is he is not really a centrist.
 
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In some of his first interviews, Schultz has asked for "tax reform" and "entitlement reform" without actually defining them, but he is against universal health care and increased taxes. He is, of course, against "government waste," taking a brave stand against all the candidates who are for it. Some are saying he should be running as a Republican.
 
Even if he runs, the guy will not get much traction.
Would not be surprised if he ends up trying for the Libertarian party nod.
I am not thrilled with Cortez's Tax Plan either (I think the trigger for 70% should be considerably higher then Ten Million dollars a year) but I note other Dems are not exactly rushing out to support it. It's going nowhere.
Problem is he is not really a centrist.


I think Schultz is not really that serious. He's mused about running before. Let's see him put an organization together and then I might pay attention.

As for Cortez's tax plan. She's not running for POTUS. She's just pushing back on the idea that a 70 percent top marginal tax rate is radical socialism or an economic disaster. I'm fully in agreement with AOC that we need more tax rates and a higher top rate. As to what the rates and what the trigger rates should be offers room for debate.
 
It does. But Schultz is smarter and was actually a successful business man. And even though I despise Trump, he's still the train wreck that you turn to watch. Schultz is more boring to watch than grass growing.

Don’t underestimate how interesting watching the grass grow or waiting for the cows to come home can be.
 

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