Why I wish I was voting for Andrew Yang
Now that Yang isn’t running in 2020 and has no chance of stealing votes from your favorite candidate, I ask you to learn more about him :)
Earlier this week, Andrew Yang dropped out of the 2020 Presidential race. That is the most disappointed I’ve been about politics in a long time, as Andrew Yang is the first presidential candidate I’ve ever been excited about — the first to break through my cynicism about the whole system.
Here’s what most impressed me about Yang, and what I’d love to see more of in politics:
Yang approaches the job from a service-first mindset
I never got the sense Andrew Yang wanted to be President for any selfish reason. It always seemed he felt a sincere obligation to run for President because no one else was addressing major issues in our society, and he had the network and resources to make a competitive run and bring certain issues into the mainstream. That alone won him a lot of points with me, and was so refreshing when compared to the many candidates that seem to be running because it’s the next logical step in a political career or it’s an opportunistic moment, not to advance a vision or agenda that will benefit society.
Yang focuses on solving real issues (with 21st century solutions)
Yang had an extremely clear message, focusing on “the issues that got Donald Trump elected.” His UBI proposal is the clearest example here. He sees poverty due to job loss via automation as an issue, and wants to fix that by giving every citizen a $1,000 per month Freedom Dividend. That’s a clear problem with a clear conceptual solution (people don’t have enough money; give people money) [More info on this not being a crazy idea: one, two, three]. Then he has a plan of how to pay for it (via a Value-Add-Tax).
I love the focus on the real issue: poverty.
Other candidates are narrowly and naively focused on getting rid of billionaires, as if being a billionaire is inherently a bad thing and as if they are the cause of all of society’s problems. Instead, this creates a negative “us vs. them” tribal mindset that is not helpful. If someone begins the conversation with the problem, in this case the desire to create an economic floor for the least fortunate among us, I’m interested in how I can help. If someone begins the conversation with how so-and-so is doing too well and we should take their money, I’m generally not on board. The framing of these issues matters, and the focus on the root cause of the problems and those suffering the consequences is the more productive framing.
Yang speaks a lot about Abundance Mindset vs. Scarcity Mindset and this is a clear example. I’d rather focus the conversation on how to get MORE for the least fortunate among us. That may mean the people at the top will have less, but the people at the top having less IS NOT the end in itself and shouldn’t be the focus of the conversation.
This example extends into many other areas, such as healthcare. Andrew Yang was the reasonable voice pointing out that every Democratic healthcare plan was superior to Donald Trump’s, and the details of who sponsored what first aren’t relevant to actually solving these issues. We should focus on the actual issues in the system today (notably, cost) that will make the discussion of Medicare For All vs. Medicare for All Who Want It (etc.) unnecessary.
Yang seems like the person at the table that reframes the conversation and asks “What’s the real objective here? Why does this matter?”
Yang acts “Presidential”
This word has lost almost all meaning under the incoherent ramblings, divisive rhetoric, and 4:00 a.m. tweets of Donald Trump [personal favorite], but I’m hoping the next President can reclaim it.
Andrew Yang has many of the qualities I admire in a leader. He’s civil and cordial, but can be serious and stern when necessary. He has an inspiring vision for the future and a sincere message about uniting the nation. He’s created a cult following in the Yang Gang, similar to Bernie in 2016 or Obama in 2008. He has a positive energy, good relationships with the other candidates, and seems to enjoy himself. In the few moments where he’s gotten emotional on the trail, it’s appeared genuine and appropriate, further humanizing him.
What he doesn’t do is also notable: he doesn’t bicker with or attack other candidates during debates, doesn’t get unreasonably angry, doesn’t contradict himself, and doesn’t ramble on without a point.
Yang uses data to defend his positions
Yang almost always has the data to back up his arguments, and when he doesn’t he can admit that. He rarely speaks outside his areas of expertise, and shows true leadership by not pretending to have all the answers.
When Warren proposed a wealth tax, he has the data on why this has failed in many other developed countries (admittedly, Warren’s plan has unique aspects that don’t make direct comparison easy). When Bernie proposed a Federal Jobs Guarantee or a $15 minimum wage, Yang has the data to show how a Freedom Dividend is far superior in terms of impact (especially on stay-at-home parents, the elderly, volunteers, and others that add value to society in ways that aren’t recognized in the traditional economy).
Yang provides robust, specific, publicly available policies
Andrew Yang’s campaign website has over 150 well-thought-out policies [campaign policy page]. I found this extremely useful in getting a sense for Yang’s holistic vision, his values, and his approach to solving problems. It was also an incredible resource to share with others interested in Yang, without them needing to watch or list to one of the many excellent long-form interviews he’s done–although I would highly recommend long-form interviews to get to understand anyone’s thinking, and I’d be wary of any candidates who are afraid to do long-form interviews (or otherwise avoid them).
My ask to you
Now that Yang isn’t running in 2020 and has no chance of stealing votes from your favorite candidate, I ask you to learn more about him and see if you agree about his take on the issues. See if there are any of his ideas you want to remain in the 2020 race.
Hopefully you’ll be #YangGang by 2024 ;)
Long-form interviews: Joe Rogan, Sam Harris, Freakonomics, Pod Save America, H3 Podcast, New Hampshire Town Hall
Campaign page: Yang2020
*Disclaimers*
I do not believe Andrew Yang is the perfect candidate.
I would love to see him improve his expertise in foreign policy and the military for 2024.
I also disagree with him that criminal investigations into Donald Trump following his Presidency would set a bad precedent. He believes locking up the previous leader generally happens in corrupt developing countries and therefore should not be made a priority. I think investigations are warranted and do not set a bad precedent, they simply continue a precedent that the law must be followed by everyone.
Lastly, Yang got a lot of flack for making stereotypical Asian jokes, which were a bit cringy and seemed unnecessary.