Does Medicare for all equal higher taxes for the middle class?

Most of the Democratic candidates back one version or another or Medicare for all. They differ on whether a private option should be available, for example.

They say that it will be paid for by taxes on the rich. Reporters have asked them whether higher taxes on the middle class will also be necessary. Our politicians have been cowed by the Republican stance on taxes, which is that taxes should never go up, but always down. It's a winning position, because nobody wants to pay more taxes.

But consider this: What if a good healthcare system necessitates higher taxes for the middle class? How would that change the lives of most people?

If your taxes go up, you might see a slightly smaller paycheck. Or a smaller tax refund. Or a slightly higher bill on April 15.

But look what that buys you: security from huge, unexpected medical bills. The tradeoff is that a predictable, small monthly or bi-weekly cost guarantees that you won't go bankrupt if you get a catastrophic illness.

I don't think that Democratic politicians should try to avoid answering the question of whether taxes will go up: they should stress what the tax increase gets you: peace of mind.