Andrew Yang fills the empathy gap

The sorority has raised thousands of dollars to support the effort, as house residents are unpaid volunteers, not campaign staff. They’re as young as 23 and old as 71. They’re politically diverse, including Republicans and libertarians, liberals and Independents. They’re from California, Texas, Illinois, D.C., Michigan and near-everywhere in between. One woman came in from as far as Alaska.

Yet Yang’s female supporters in Davenport are living testaments to the diversity of his coalition.

“There are a lot of women supporters, and a lot of us are leaders,” said Kinsey, a graphic designer and technologist who’s balancing her campaign efforts with professional work in nuclear defense.

Source

I have followed Andrew Yang's 2020 presidential campaign with increasing interest. IMO, Yang aims to influence the Democratic Party's policy plank. His aim is for the Democratic party to adopt a UBI as ap part of their policy platforms. Nor do Yang's political objectives require a nationwide political campaign network. All the indicators point to Yang was caught off guard by how far his presidential campaign is lasting.

So beyond American voters desires to elect political outsiders, what explains Yang's appeal? Yang fills the empathy gap in the wake of Trump presidency. Urban Liberals have shown next to little interest in learning why Trump won the Rust Belt states. Yang remains the only Democratic presidential candidate who cares about issues that matter to sane voters. Outside of the deranged anti-Trump bubble, people care about in their daily lives. These issues vary from how society values people with disabilities to the effects of automation on the employment market.

For the record: I am not a fan of Trump. I don't outright endorse Yang's UBI concept. (I happen to think Bill Gates doesn't need access to a UBI, but that is another topic).

Beyond his UBI plan, Yang's policies are undeveloped. His health care policy is evolving with time. Yang is two or three or four-year political cycles away from acting as his party's flag bearer. Yang's public profile was increasing for someone unknown three years ago. As for the 2020 primary race, Yang may win delegates, but I don't expect him to win any states.

edit on 18-1-2020 by xpert11 because: (no reason given)

edit on 18-1-2020 by xpert11 because: (no reason given)

I truly care about my daily life, that’s why voting democrat is a form of suicide .. giving up rights and taxing me to pay for benefits I don’t even have for the lazy part of the population. Trump 2020, the clear choice!!

Yang is irrelevant. Looked neat having an Asian looking guy for a brief moment in time but play time is over. It's two old white guys and one old woman. Those are the choices. Take it or leave it.

originally posted by: Stupidsecrets
Yang is irrelevant. Looked neat having an Asian looking guy for a brief moment in time but play time is over. It's two old white guys and one old woman. Those are the choices. Take it or leave it.

Weird way to phrase it, but I wouldn't be surprised if Biden gets pushed out soon.

No one likes him, you don't hear about anyone loving Biden... MSM is just going to tout him because he's their favorite, he'll play ball with them.

I agree. No one really likes Biden, but he'll get it because the other two are too extreme. They make no sense to the middle ground.

originally posted by: Stupidsecrets
Those are the choices.

Who says you have to choose from only the choices they appear to give you? You control your vote.

His policies are anti-American and he would be a stupid choice for any working person. He is one in a field of Socialists / Communists from the Democrats.

originally posted by: WUNK22
I truly care about my daily life, that’s why voting democrat is a form of suicide .. giving up rights and taxing me to pay for benefits I don’t even have for the lazy part of the population. Trump 2020, the clear choice!!

I am not in a rush to sign on board to The Great Society Mark 2. Indirectly Yang raises the dysfunction of the U.S. tax system. The absence of GST (VAT in the UK) leaves the tax burden on income. The people facing this tax burden don't have access to the vast number of tax loopholes. Perhaps these individuals can't afford the services of tax lawyers.

Yang is an effective communicator. His 60-second elevator pitch comes from explaining private-sector ideas. His pre-existing skills translate well into politics. His political value lies in raising issues ignored by the media and politicians. Congress is unlikely to pass an infrastructure package, little alone tax reform. The Washington D.C elite is intent on destroying their country.

a reply to: xpert11

UBI?

No, how about go get a damn job.

Walmart is always hiring, and they pay $12/hr starting wage now...

a reply to: Stupidsecrets

Those are the candidates CNN and MSNBC want people to choose from in their attempts to rig the U.S. political system. People are free to campaign for the candidate of their choosing. In my view, Yang is the only candidate who has any desire to address the issues and reasons behind Trump's political rise. As I noted above, I am bothered by the universal nature of his UBI plan. The rest of Yang's policies are hazy.

The Trump presidency is a symptom of the domestic issues ignored or fuelled by the political ruling class. Logically, Yang's presidential bid is an extension of the sinking ship that elected Trump.

a reply to: Vector99

Supporting a UBI in any form and acknowledging the issues raised by Yang are not tied. It is perfectly valid to oppose Yang's policy platforms, but appreciate the light he sheds on matters. Sitting at my keyboard in New Zealand, I recognise a number of the under the spot light issues. To take one instance: New Zealand faces a long term shortage of blue collar trade workers. The shortages apply to the building industry.

originally posted by: xpert11
a reply to: Vector99

Supporting a UBI in any form and acknowledging the issues raised by Yang are not tied. It is perfectly valid to oppose Yang's policy platforms, but appreciate the light he sheds on matters. Sitting at my keyboard in New Zealand, I recognise a number of the under the spot light issues. To take one instance: New Zealand faces a long term shortage of blue collar trade workers. The shortages apply to the building industry.

And supporting a candidate the proposes a UBI means it might actually happen. You realize that right? It's a 99.999% chance to never happen, but if you support him it becomes a possibility.

You think blue collar workers would increase under a UBI? You would see a serious decline in skilled trade workers if life was free.

Supporting a candidate that even proposes the idea is in my opinion is pretty extreme. It's a literal change of global economics if the US were to ever implement such a plan.

originally posted by: Blueracer

originally posted by: Stupidsecrets
Those are the choices.

Who says you have to choose from only the choices they appear to give you? You control your vote.

Because that approach has worked out when? You have two choices. What we have now or whatever they choose to throw at him and it won't be Yang I know that for damn sure. Over 50% of Americans have money in the market. They are getting on average over 20% gains over the past year.

That is what they elected him to do. Credit for it or not, that's is reality. They aren't giving that up and they don't care about his morale character or anyone else.

originally posted by: schuyler
I agree. No one really likes Biden, but he'll get it because the other two are too extreme. They make no sense to the middle ground.

I mean... They're all pretty bad.

He's just so out of touch, uncharismatic, and has goofs all the time. Him being more moderate gets negated by the rest.

originally posted by: Stupidsecrets

originally posted by: Blueracer

originally posted by: Stupidsecrets
Those are the choices.

Who says you have to choose from only the choices they appear to give you? You control your vote.

Because that approach has worked out when? You have two choices.

Short sided thinking there, if people would stop voting against and instead voted for someone they believed in all a third party needs is 5% of the vote in a presidential election and they get federal money for the next 4 years to go after seats in congress.

5% is not a lot and could finally start the process of breaking the corrupt stranglehold on the nation without having to resort to our own version of the French revolution.

a reply to: Vector99

Agreed, political opposition to Yang and discussions of the issues he raises belong in the same room. No one has to support and campaign for Yang to debate the prescriptions to solve the grave crises facing the U.S. The insane and phoney fake news bubble is worthless unless one subscribes wholesale to their propaganda.

I don't connect a UBI to solving New Zealand's shortage of tradespeople. I aimed to highlight the nature of this particular matter is not confined to one part of the globe.

a reply to: xpert11

Andrew WHO?!?

No way man... nobody that ever inspired SNL to come up with "Yang Gang Bang" will ever be president.

We have way too lazy of a populace to utilize a UBI. America would be wearing sweatpants covered in Cheetos dust and day old wing sauce stains.

a reply to: xpert11

We already have UBI, it’s called welfare.

I don't think the US is ready fro a whipped cream wielding, $ 1K= for each Amurican type President...

YMMV

a reply to: Blueracer

***ding ding ding***

You win the prize for today!!

No one can tell anyone how to vote, or who to vote for. That's what write in's are all about.

Yes, the odds are, shall we say, long in the extreme...but it's an option, one that if enough were to do it, a third party, or even a fourth, might actually come to challenge the two behemoths.