Andrew Yang: Transform Economics

Andrew Yang Money Quote saying UBI would create a transformation in our economy for millions of people. Andrew Yang said:
 

 

“A universal basic income would enable millions of Americans to meaningfully transition in the time of economic transformation, including that brought by AI, and it would improve our strength, health, and mental health; kids’ ability to learn; our civic engagement; and our public trust, confidence, and optimism” — Andrew Yang

In this quote, Andrew Yang seems to be outlining some of the potential benefits he believes a universal basic income (UBI) could provide in the context of ongoing technological changes including advances in artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically:

• Yang argues UBI would help “millions of Americans” successfully transition and adapt their work and skills as AI disruption transforms the economy and job market over time.
• He also contends it could positively impact individuals’ “strength, health, and mental health”, as well as children’s education outcomes and civic participation through reducing financial stress.
• Yang implies UBI may boost public “trust, confidence, and optimism” by providing a foundation of economic security during massive shifts.

The best interpretation is that Yang views UBI as a policy tool that could help cushion society from the challenges of technological disruption by giving people a buffer to reskill or retrain as needed, while also enhancing well-being, learning and social cohesion during times of uncertainty and transition according to potential outcomes he outlines.

Andrew Yang: Labor 1, Capital 364

Andrew Yang Money Quote saying We celebrate those who create capital for only a single day, while capital gets all the rest of the days. Andrew Yang said:
 

“Labor got one day. Capital got the other 364” — Andrew Yang

Labor got one day. Capital got the other 364.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 15, 2020

Andrew Yang: Essential Raise

Andrew Yang Money Quote saying Everyone is quick to heap praise and love on front-line critical workers during the coronavirus, but they’d probably be happier with more money than they are being paid to put their lives at risk for work. Andrew Yang said:
 

 

“Instead of praise most essential workers would prefer a raise” — Andrew Yang

In this quote, Andrew Yang seems to be commenting on the disconnect between appreciation for essential workers during the pandemic and their actual compensation. By stating that rather than “praise”, which was frequently expressed for frontline workers, what they would “prefer” is a “raise”, Yang implies that while gratitude is meaningful, what workers really want and need is higher pay to better support themselves and their families through dangerous jobs.

The quote conveys Yang’s perspective that for workers enduring health risks, acknowledgment of their value is not as impactful or helpful as fair financial remuneration. Overall, Yang appears to be arguing that “a raise” not “praise” is what essential staff truly require in return for shouldering societal responsibilities during the crisis, and that compensation deserves equal emphasis with platitudes of thanks when assessing how best to support such vital labor forces.

Instead of praise most essential workers would prefer a raise.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) May 23, 2020

Andrew Yang: Reopen Economy

 
Andrew Yang Money Quote saying that a tracking app would be required to allow us to open the economy so that we could see if we’ve come into close contact with anyone carrying the coronavirus and that destroys privacy. Andrew Yang said:
 

 

“This is a very big problem and issue. If you’re going to reopen any part of the economy and you’re going to do it you would need to have some robust tech tracing and tracking tools. And those things run afoul of what most of us regard as our privacy rights” — Andrew Yang

In this quote, Andrew Yang seems to be acknowledging the tension between public health needs during the pandemic and civil liberties concerns regarding digital contact tracing tools.

By stating that reopening the economy “would need to have some robust tech tracing and tracking tools” but that “those things run afoul of what most of us regard as our privacy rights”, Yang implies that effective test and trace programs to control virus spread conflict with Americans’ expectations of privacy.

The quote conveys Yang’s perspective that while contact tracing applications may be crucial to allow safe reopening, many people are uncomfortable with the level of personal data collection such systems could entail based on traditional notions of privacy.

Overall, Yang appears to be objectively framing the complex debate around balancing epidemiological requirements with citizens’ reasonable wariness of extensive government or corporate monitoring of individuals’ daily lives, movements and interactions without explicit consent or oversight protections. Yang’s comment highlights the difficult trade-offs policymakers and technologists face in designing digital disease surveillance.

Andrew Yang: U.S. Resources UBI

Andrew Yang Money Quote saying in his Presidential platform for the 2020 race, UBI – or as he calls it, ‘The Freedom Dividend’ – would radically change the U.S. economy. Andrew Yang said:
 

 

“We have plenty of resources, they’re just not being distributed to enough people right now. Let’s build a new kind of economy – one that puts people first. If there’s one policy that would transform American lives for the better, it is Universal Basic Income” — Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang is saying that the United States already has enough overall resources and wealth, but it is not distributed fairly to benefit all citizens. He argues that we should create a new economic system that prioritizes people’s well-being over other factors.

Yang believes that implementing a universal basic income (UBI), where all citizens receive a set amount of money regularly from the government, would be the single most impactful policy for improving lives.

A UBI could help address economic insecurity and inequality by providing everyone with a baseline level of financial support to meet basic needs. Yang sees this as a way to “build a new kind of economy” that values people’s welfare above all else.

Andrew Yang: UBI for Capitalism

Andrew Yang Money Quote saying Universal Basic Income will be required to preserve our capitalistic way of life. Andrew Yang said:
 

I’m a capitalist, and I believe that universal basic income is necessary for capitalism to continue
— Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang is arguing that for capitalism itself to survive and thrive into the future, a universal basic income may be necessary. As a capitalist, Yang believes that capitalism has benefits but that technological changes like automation risk disrupting the job market and economy in ways that could undermine capitalism.

By providing everyone with a basic income, it could ensure people still have money to spend in the economy to drive consumer demand, even as the nature of work changes. So in Yang’s view, a universal basic income could help address challenges to capitalism from trends like automation and allow the capitalist system itself to continue functioning effectively going forward.