Kerby Anderson

We are in the midst of a battle over socialism. This isn’t an academic debate about socialism. It isn’t even a discussion about the impact of socialism on Venezuela. The battle over socialism is taking place in the mid-term campaigns led in part by self-proclaimed socialists Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Two of the key talking points have been free college tuition and “Medicare for All.” These are not just fringe topics only discussed by a few radical leftists but are becoming mainstream in the Democrat Party. Now let me hasten to add, that not all Democrats embrace these ideas. But most of the Democrats who will be running as presidential candidates in less than two years do propose such ideas. Voters need to be asking these candidates some important questions. Do we really want more government involvement in healthcare? Do we really think we can force doctors and hospitals to accept Medicare-level payments, which are about 40 percent lower than what is paid by private insurers? Perhaps the most important question is cost. One recent study found that “Medicare for All” would increase federal spending by more than $32 trillion during the first ten years. By the way, total federal spending during that same period is projected to be about $56 trillion. So a good question for these candidates might be: How can we afford an additional $32 trillion? Rarely are such questions asked. But when they are asked of candidates, you get suggestions like raising the corporate income tax, cutting defense spending, and implementing a carbon tax. Then another question comes to mind: Won’t that completely destroy our growing economy and crush manufacturing and other industries? This election and the next will be awash in socialist slogans about free tuition and free health care. Responsible voters need to ask these candidates some important questions.