Presidential Candidate running on a UBI Platform - 2020

in politics •  6 years ago  (edited)
The first time I heard about Andrew Yang was on NPR quite a while ago, but recently his name popped up again on my radar as he was invited to participate of a conversation with Sam Harris. I'm sure most know who Sam Harris is, but if you don't you've heard some of his ideas for sure. He is one of the original controversial thinkers of recent times along side the late Christopher Hitchens and other authors.
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I try to keep an open mind on these things, as I'm fully aware that is absolutely no way I've discovered ultimate truth. Listening to opinions from people that you disagree with, ideologically that is, is probably a good way to invest your time, as no one has ever benefited from living inside an echo chamber.

It's important for me to say that I'm not convinced just yet that UBI is the way forward. However, I do believe that Andrew Yang is not wrong on his perception of the problems to come. In other words, he has effectively identified the iceberg we are sure to hit as a society.

Automation is already happening, and we are but a few years away from changing an industry that is sure to echo into many of the economic structures of our very society. Self driving cars might be a fascinating idea, but self driving trucks would be the end of the Trucking industry and the millions of people that currently work in it, or in an industry that services them.

Do I think Andrew Stands a chance? Not really. But then again, I also thought trump had absolutely no chance of winning and here we are. According to this article he is 43 at the moment and has intentions to run as a Democrat for the 2020 race. It's very hard for me to imagine those ingredients resulting in a healthy meal, sort of speak.

I will grant you that some of his ideas are easy to dismiss. They seem to utopian to be taken serious. But, as with many things, it's good to broaden our understanding and be open to listening attentively to those who are proposing new ideas. Maybe, just maybe there is something of value we might fail to recognize as we default into our ideological defense mechanisms.

This video should spike your curiosity, it sure did mine.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Do you think the fears of an automated society, the disappearance of labor as we know it today and the obvious mental health issues to arise from such changes are too exaggerated? Or do you think these conversations are necessary, they are effectively recognising the future that is sure to come.

I side with the latter. I do not know the answer, at least not at the moment. But, I don't see how we are not headed head first into the problem Andrew describes.

But let me know your thoughts on this...

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I think an automated society is inevitable in the future. Efficiency is always valued and the human element is usually where problems arise.

It's also easy to then think about the challenges that an automated society may bring for humans (lost jobs etc..), but what about the great things it could do as well.

Food may become more abundant and readily available for all. Transportation will be more efficient removing that stress from peoples lives and allowing them more time to do the things they enjoy.

I don't think Andrew stand's a chance either in 2020. It's too soon for our society to wrap their head around the things he's building his platform on, but like you mentioned it's good to throw his ideas into the pot to get everyone thinking.

He doesn't stand a chance, but what he is doing drastically increases awareness for a particular looming problem which will likely influence the major candidate positions. Not a guarantee, but I have a feeling that this issue touches so many lives for it not to matter. Then again, if this displacement is not affecting enough people, then it won't get traction either since most people won't act until things are on fire.

Anyway, the policy itself seems reasonable on an effective tax on automation beneficiaries so it's not like this money is coming from nowhere. But I'm not sure if it will work. One possible worry is that it may take automation efforts overseas so there is nothing to tax...I mean we already know how good tech companies are at evading taxes. That might be why it's a VAT tax and not one on companies hm. Automation increases efficiency and lowers prices, and the VAT takes a cut of this reduction. Hum. Changed my mind after writing that, it could work. Could work...

The podcast with Harris, the one that @tarazkp shared on here is worth a listen. Go for it...

Aha found the mention of the details of funding, cool! Very interesting two people. I will be following them now.

Just like the American Healthcare System which solves the issue of declining health with "miracle drugs" that only treat or offset the symptoms, U.B.I. is the same mindset. It will help people, duh. It will help the economy, duh. Smoke, mirrors and bandaids. U.B.I. will not have a lasting impact on the health of any nation or people. It is delaying the inevitable. What is wealth? How is wealth generated?

"Free money can reduce the stresses of life but it will not teach you wisdom."

Sincerely, @rob-parenti

Very good point Rob. I don't know if people think about these things. Maybe those who participate of this space do, but most don't .

You might be interested in this one then:

https://samharris.org/podcasts/130-universal-basic-income/

can you ever see it happening? maybe not his presidency, but UBI?

UBI yes but not in the US (to begin with). When it comes to these things, I am guessing Europe will lead the way considering the US still doesn't offer basic health services to its citizens.

that was a punch to the gut, but just because truth certainly stings...

The US (I have never been there) seems to struggle so heavily while those within think they are living the dream.

I'm for universal basic tax abolition, especially for the lower classes!

Don't quote me on this one, but I think if you make less than 14k a year you don't pay income tax at all. But, of course there are other issues with our tax system that warrant a lot of discussion.

all have an argument about how and who is expected to be president, at least you @meno have explained how you think about your presidential candidate in the hope can be realized @meno

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