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Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org/Ralf LotysNostalgic Mantra: Make Love…Convivial audience members at the Woodstock Festival, 1969.the electorate don’t stand a chance of actually being elected andhaving any success in changing the political system.For example, prominent presidential candidates for theDemocratic nomination proudly raised their hands infavor of replacing private health insurance — now coveringroughly 150 million people — with Medicare for All. Theiralternative would be a government-sponsored, and presumablygovernment-funded system that has not been thoroughlyvetted, scored or thought out. Even if, in the longterm, the concept is shown to have merit, and, if eventuallyenacted, properly funded and a better and more effectivemeans of providing quality health care, is it the right proposalto be introduced to the electorate at this time?A Hill-HarrisX poll found that only 13% of respondentsfavored Medicare for All if it meant getting rid of privateinsurance. Is it sensible to make a proposal supported byonly 13% of the voting public the centerpiece of your campaign?I don’t think so.Next StepsSo, where do we go from here? Let’s think for a momentas to what can be “realistically” accomplished by whoevergets through the gauntlets of debates, primaries, caucusesand endless town halls. An infrastructure bill would get reasonablebipartisan support. I would also argue that attemptsto shore up the ACA by reintroducing the individual mandatemight make sense.Additionally, I would fight to strengthen Social Security.First to go should be the cap on how much incomegoes untaxed to fund the program. Why should individualscurrently making hundreds of thousands of dollars ayear, and more, stop paying into the system after the first$133,000 of income, the current ceiling? If you think$133,000 isn’t much money, set the cap at $500,000, oreven $1 million. The issue of how to pay for Social Securitywould be moot.Now, I do not wish to wage a war with those whoseincome places them in the top 1%. For the most part, I’mmore than certain that you’ve earned that income legitimately.But I firmly believe that you have an obligation topay your fair share in order for those less fortunate to beable to take part in federal programs that allow them to liveout their lives with dignity.Let me share one final thought. I don’t want to lay thisall at the feet of Democrats, to suggest they alone can helpbring about normalcy simply by bringing change to 160052 WINTER 2019
Photo credit Wikimedia.org: Leena A. Krohn, photographer…Not War. A 1971 Vietnam War protest in Washington, D.C.Pennsylvania Avenue. Even if Democrats take a moreconciliatory approach to politics, they still need Republicansto play ball. And if recent history is any indicator, even achange at the White House won’t get Republicans to be thepolitical party of comity and civility.But, hopefully, it’s not too late. Hopefully, we can go backto some sense of “normal” political squabbling … a country,where you campaign like hell against the other partybut afterwards reach across the aisle to find a little commonground. Now, wouldn’t that be nice?Mark D. Olshan, who holds a doctorate in psychology, is associateexecutive vice president of B’nai B’rith International and director ofthe organization’s Center for Senior Services.Thank you for your support ofPlease note that our next annual issue willarrive in homes in December 2020.B’NAI B’RITH 53
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B’nai B’rith Leadership Forum:
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