It is becoming clear that former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is gearing up a run for the White House come 2020.
After stepping down from his post of the biggest coffee brand in the world, Schultz announced that he wanted to transition to the public sector. And it appears that initiative began with an interview with Time magazine.
Schultz lambasted the national debt, which has exceeded $21 trillion. Unlike his fellow leftists and Democrats, he is perturbed by the enormous debt levels inflicting the nation.
He told the publication:
“There’s no for-profit business in the world that could sustain itself or survive with $20 trillion in debt. And we can’t keep pushing this. It’s just not responsible.”
It remains unclear as to how Schultz would tackle the national debt. Would he reform entitlements? Take an ax to the federal budget? End the wars? Or, like President Donald Trump, is he fibbing about his fiscal concerns?
More from Time:
Schultz also called for the U.S. to reclaim the mantle of leadership on climate change, including by rejoining the Paris Agreement, from which Trump has said the U.S. will withdraw. Asked about a carbon tax as a solution to climate change, Schultz demurred, saying discussion about a carbon tax would need to be “part of a broader solution” that includes the national debt.
“We’re here in a sense talking about climate change, but all of this is related to the leadership that we need, the centrist approach we need, the understanding that science is real and a fiscal responsibility to once and for all address the fact that we can’t rob future generations,” he said.
In the interview, he also stressed his work of his family foundation supporting veterans, tacking homelessness in the U.S. and helping young people find jobs. All of those efforts, he said, tie back to his upbringing. “I grew up in public housing,” he said. “I still that carry with me today.”
Schultz has portrayed himself as a social justice crusader, but he might get some support from fiscal conservatives if he is being genuine about reducing the debt.
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