Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is publicly mulling an Independent run for President.
Leftwing critics of a potential run have threatened a Starbucks boycott if Schultz runs. That would do little to Schultz’s wealth but would harm Starbucks employees.
Neena Tanden of Think Progress has said, “Vanity projects that help destroy democracy are disgusting. If he enters the race, I will start a Starbucks boycott because I’m not giving a penny that will end up in the election coffers of a guy who will help Trump win.”
Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have any arguments for their party’s election, only anti-Trumpism on the left and anti-leftism on the Right.
The truth is both major parties are intellectually and morally bankrupt. They nominated two of the worst people possible in America to run against each other for President and left Americans to make the unenviable choice between them. Together, they have gone on an irresponsible spending spree and left us with a national debt that as I write this is speeding towards $22 trillion.
America can and must do better, but we can’t as long as we get caught up in the political binary of two corrupt major parties and accept the idea we are responsible for preventing the victory of the worst of them. Things will not get better as long as we buy into the idea whosever is President is either the best or the worst thing that could happen to our country. In truth, the worst possible outcome in 2020 is for either of the two major party candidates to win.
Schultz represents the rarest of creatures these days: an actual fiscal conservative. Schultz slammed the idea of Medicare for All as an idea as false as President Trump’s Wall. Schultz shows more understanding about the basics of fiscal affairs than most of Congress.
He told the New York Times, “When I hear people espousing free government-paid college, free government-paid health care and a free government job for everyone — on top of a $21 trillion debt — the question is, how are we paying for all this and not bankrupting the country?”
I couldn’t vote for him because of his stance on important social and moral issues. However, I welcome him considering a run. I hope we’ll see an alternative choice emerge on the Right, too. Both sides of the political spectrum – liberals and conservatives – need better leaders. That’s not going to happen in a Democratic Party with a primary dominated by that radical left. That’s not going to happen in the Republican Party with the RNC’s unprecedented decision to offer President Trump undivided support. Many state party leaders look to cancel primaries and caucuses to prevent voters from even having the chance to vote against Trump.
We desperately need leaders to put themselves forward, and I appreciate Mr. Schultz’s willingness to consider doing so. Here’s hoping someone on the right will join him.