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Why would a smart Democrat want to be President?

And before all the Trump Supporter Trolls come out with "There is no such thing as a smart Democrat" hear me out. I contend that America as a world power is over, but the corpse has not started to stink yet, so Americans dont know it.
Twenty five Trillion in debt and climbing at an alarming rate , while industry after industry shifts more and more overseas. I have made all the arguments about how there is no coming back from this one. So. Since the political gulf in the US is to wide and deep, there can be no consensus. And since whoever is at the wheel will be blamed for the whole debacle when it finally hits home as a massive recession, why would any savvy political operator from EITHER side want to be President?

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Burnley123 · 41-45, M

You always have to fight in politics though, even when it's tough. Especially when it's tough.

I think it Bernie or liz Warren because they are only people serious about radical change.

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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@Burnley123 I agree with your sentiment. But passing over the House obstruction that marks the Obama and now (thankfully) the Trump administration, there is the sheer mountain of debt that will soon crush the economy and stop any possible reform. Its a hopeless task.

Ynotisay · M

@Burnley123 And that's exactly why I don't think either of them will be the nominee. America doesn't stand behind radical change. It comes incrementally.

eli1601 · 70-79, M

@Burnley123 Liz has zero chance. If Bernie could win, which I doubt, he would never win any of the currently red states. Odds are the Republicans would at least keep the Senate and maybe win the House. Even many current Democrat Senators don't like Bernie's agenda. I doubt a socialist agenda would ever get through Congress.

SimplyTracie · 26-30, F

@eli1601 Which one of the Socialist programs do you think would be the toughest to get through Congress?

eli1601 · 70-79, M

@SimplyTracie Medicare for all. The actual problem is that all the stuff Bernie wants to do would require massive tax increases which is probably a non starter for 99% of Republicans and quite a few dems.

Ynotisay · M

@SimplyTracie One of the Democratic Socialist programs? It's all sort of conjecture right now. The Green New Deal never had a chance of implementation in its present forum so I would say Medicare-For-All would face the most resistance. And that's assuming a Democratic flip in the Senate. And a lot of that is due purely to what it would entail. It hasn't been figured out specifically. But it's clear people want it. I think "Free" secondary education would be much easier to implement. Higher taxes on the very wealthy to pay for programs would be a slam dunk.

SimplyTracie · 26-30, F

@eli1601 How much do you pay for health insurance? How much is your employers portion (if your job pays for your medical insurance)?

I understand that a single person who needs to purchase their own health/medical insurance might have to pay as much as $800/month. That’s huge. Would it be a wash if they take that amount out as taxes?

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@eli1601 You would save money with medicare for all.

What Europeans pay in taxes, we save double in not having to pay insurance premiums or hospital bills. The private system does not deliver value for money on healthcare, quite the opposite.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Burnley123

Ynotisay · M

@SimplyTracie I pay my own insurance and it's nominal considering what most have to pay. I also don't use it. An expansion of Medicare, which means it would be supported through tax revenue (via those who can READILY afford it) in conjunction with a private insurance option, seems to make the most sense. But aggressively raising tax rates on "regular" Americans seems to be a non-starter. If you could show people they'd be paying much less in the long run then there would be a chance.

eli1601 · 70-79, M

@Burnley123 I know you all say that and maybe that's true for the U.K., but I have my doubts that it would work in a country of 330 million people and untold millions of illegals and the millions more that keep coming across the border.

Plus,we do not have the we are all in it together sense of community that countries in Europe or even Asia have.

Ynotisay · M

@Burnley123 And, most typically, the results are worse. We pay more and get less. I guess that's the result of being the only industrialized nation that doesn't view healthcare as a right.

eli1601 · 70-79, M

@SimplyTracie I'm retired. My wife and I together pay $270/month

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@eli1601 I don't think the population thing is a problem. If medicare works nationally, then surely rolling it out to more people would? Canada also has a huge are and two main languages.

I'm sure it could work, it's a case of political will.

SimplyTracie · 26-30, F

@Ynotisay How come your premiums are only nominal as compared to others? Is it based on your current health conditions?

But everyone has to pay a premium for health insurance, directly or indirectly. If not, your taxes are used eventually.

A good leader will be able to talk it though congress to get the job done.

If a Democrat does get elected, I hope he or she doesn’t burn too many bridges along the way.

SimplyTracie · 26-30, F

@eli1601 So you have Medicare already. And you choose to purchase supplemental insurance as well. Cool.

Don’t you think it a good idea for everyone to have what you currently have? I mean, you earned it because you paid taxes all your adult life (I presume). Why not just extend the program for all?

I’m curious, do you know what amount of taxes the government took out of your pay to pay for your Medicare?

eli1601 · 70-79, M

@Burnley123 Too many people in the U.S. have a major aversion to gov't control of anything. Plus Obama care proved to be a disaster in what was promised and what was delivered.

There is no political will for health care reform. Most people are perfectly happy to get their health care through work and most businesses subsidize their premiums. Like I said above, the U.S. does not have an all for one and one for all attitude.

People in the U.S. know that once a gov't program is put in place it never goes away. Before a program is passed, we want to be sure it will work as promised. Not many do.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@eli1601 That is your opinion but Americans Ive met irl think differently, as do many in here.

eli1601 · 70-79, M

@Burnley123 Of course it's my opinion based on 67 years living in the U.S. 37 years in a blue state and now 30 in a red state.

eli1601 · 70-79, M

@SimplyTracie Its hard to know how much money I paid for Medicare because for many years Medicare was lumped together with Social Security as one deduction. I don't remember when they split them on pay stubs.

I want everyone to have access to health insurance, but don't trust the government to be competent enough to provide it.

SimplyTracie · 26-30, F

@eli1601 But I’m sure you trust Trump, right?

Didn’t he say he was gonna get everyone better healthcare and it be cheaper than Obamacare? Yes he did. I remember it clearly.

eli1601 · 70-79, M

@SimplyTracie So has every democrat in congress.

Ynotisay · M

@SimplyTracie Yeah. My health and a high deductible keeps my rates low. My heart breaks for those who really need insurance and have to choose between food and medicine. It's so very, very wrong.

SimplyTracie · 26-30, F

@eli1601 Well, If everyone agrees about it then what is obviously lacking is a good leader to get everyone focused on fixing the dang thing. Maybe 2020 will find us the needed leadership.

SimplyTracie · 26-30, F

@Ynotisay Yes. Me too. We need a captain to steer the ship and get the crew focused. Maybe in 2020.

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