Quote from michael on December 20, 2019, 8:04 pm
I didn't in 2016 and I won't in 2020. I know he's a long-shot candidate - and I don't want to hear the "wasted vote" argument - but I like Andrew Yang more and more every time I hear him speak. Things that particularly resonate with me is his point that data is like the oil of the 21st century. We have these awesome devices, and it's hard to live in today's society without them, but it's bullshit that companies like Apple and Facebook are claiming ownership over my data willy nilly.
The other thing that makes sense to me about Yang's platform is his warning about automation. We know from history classes about how great the Industrial Revolution was for America and the world. But there are repercussions - displaced workers killed themselves or rioted, and it led to some mayhem. Not good. Why should the money saved from automation in industries like food service and truck driving, just to name two, go only to these insanely rich companies?
Yang bills his universal basic income proposal as the "Freedom Dividend" with the logic being that we're all shareholders in this great economy. If we're going to increasingly automate jobs - especially at a rate that dwarfs the Industrial Revolution - then why shouldn't the American people get a piece of that?
Despite some seemingly wild yet pragmatic ideas, Yang will sadly never make it. Biden seems like he's going to be the guy, which is not great for the left. Trump kinda nailed him on the "sleepy Joe" jab. The people want to be entertained and who better than an erratic compulsive liar to keep things interesting. BUT, money talks and Yang's dividend would bring out the democratic vote! IF he was the nominee, Yang could take it.