Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumWatched Yang on CBS This Morning
Similar to Trump he is talking about "carnage." We meed candidates who offer optimism. No, not painting everything in pastel colors but with a promising view of the future. Yes, Reagan's "shining city on the hill." Or close enough.
He sees the main enemy as automation. Well, you cannot stop this. And if he has a plan on how to stop it I did not get it. Are you going to punish corporations - yes, these evil empires - that replace humans with robots? You cannot do this.
And the $1,000 a person a month. Not clear how he is going to get these funds. Another freebies supported by vague "taxing the rich." Several months ago I listened to a presentation with a similar theme and one of the proposed sources was: printing more money. I am not an economist but I think that Germany did this in the 20s.
One rosy picture: people who will get the money will put it back into circulations. If they are smart, they will save as much as they can.
Oh well..
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)It would be easier than you might think. Andrew proposes funding the Freedom Dividend by consolidating some welfare programs and implementing a Value-Added Tax (VAT) of 10%. Current welfare and social program beneficiaries would be given a choice between their current benefits or $1,000 cash unconditionally most would prefer cash with no restriction.
A Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a tax on the production of goods or services a business produces. It is a fair tax and it makes it much harder for large corporations, who are experts at hiding profits and income, to avoid paying their fair share. A VAT is nothing new. 160 out of 193 countries in the world already have a Value-Added Tax or something similar, including all of Europe which has an average VAT of 20 percent.
The means to pay for the Freedom Dividend will come from 4 sources:
1. Current spending. We currently spend between $500 and $600 billion a year on welfare programs, food stamps, disability and the like. This reduces the cost of the Freedom Dividend because people already receiving benefits would have a choice but would be ineligible to receive the full $1,000 in addition to current benefits.
Additionally, we currently spend over one trillion dollars on health care, incarceration, homelessness services and the like. We would save $100 200+ billion as people would take better care of themselves and avoid the emergency room, jail, and the street and would generally be more functional. The Freedom Dividend would pay for itself by helping people avoid our institutions, which is when our costs shoot up. Some studies have shown that $1 to a poor parent will result in as much as $7 in cost-savings and economic growth.
2. A VAT. Our economy is now incredibly vast at $19 trillion, up $4 trillion in the last 10 years alone. A VAT at half the European level would generate $800 billion in new revenue. A VAT will become more and more important as technology improves because you cannot collect income tax from robots or software.
3. New revenue. Putting money into the hands of American consumers would grow the economy. The Roosevelt Institute projected that the economy would grow by approximately $2.5 trillion and create 4.6 million new jobs. This would generate approximately $800 900 billion in new revenue from economic growth and activity.
4. Taxes on top earners and pollution. By removing the Social Security cap, implementing a financial transactions tax, and ending the favorable tax treatment for capital gains/carried interest, we can decrease financial speculation while also funding the Freedom Dividend. We can add to that a carbon fee that will be partially dedicated to funding the Freedom Dividend, making up the remaining balance required to cover the cost of this program.
https://www.yang2020.com/what-is-freedom-dividend-faq/
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
question everything
(47,468 posts)Not sure about people realizing they will have a choice. This is logical thinking that, let's be honest, not many people are capable of doing. Remember when a senior yelled at Obama, who explained the ACA, that he did not want the government touching his Medicare payment?
Too many, yes, many of Trump supporters will scream the same way: don't touch my Disability checks. And I hope like hell that this time the scream will not be accompanied by a gun shot.
VAT, as you say, is used widely in Europe. I look at it as a form of sales tax and many will view it the same say and sales tax is considered regressive, as opposed to progressive income tax (mostly).
Glad that he wants to raise, or eliminate the cap on Social Security income. I have just wondered the other day whether any of the candidates is talking about it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)The information is directly from his website policy page and I really had nothing to do with any of it beyond copy & paste. The VAT as I understand is to capture taxes from those companies who currently pay Zero in taxes (Amazon, Google, and alike) and one can think of it as regressive or one can think of it as finally a means to get them to pay their share for the benefits they receive from operating in this country. Certainly some of that will be passed along to consumers, but how much, hard to say.
As to folks making choices as to the Freedom Dividend or their current benefits (whatever they happen to be) I am sure most will figure out which one gives them the better deal and take that one. If they don't.... well, there is a certain level of personal responsibility that we all must bear in this world.
I first saw Yang on a C-Span program last Fall from a panel discussion at the Brooklyn Book Festival talking about workers and the coming changes in the workplace. I was immediately captivated by his ideas and what he had to say and how forward thinking he was. When I found he was a candidate for President, I knew I had my preference even if he was beyond a long shot. Simply what he said made sense to me. He is a numbers guy and seems to look at problems analytically looking for the answers that make sense rather than just redo that same old tired solutions that haven't worked and will not work in the future.
I encourage you to go to his website and scroll through the list of policy proposals listed.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)ECONOMY/JOBS & LABOR
The Freedom Dividend
Human-Centered Capitalism
Improve the American Scorecard
Reduce Student Loan Burden
Implement Mandatory Paid Leave Policy
Right to Privacy/Abortion and Contraception
Carbon Fee and Dividend
Make it Easy for Americans to Move for Work
Value-Added Tax
Make it Easier to Save for Retirement
Promote Vocational Education
Zoning
Free Financial Counseling for All
Decrease Pre-Trial Cash Bail
Reduce Mass Incarceration
Paid Family Leave
Fight for Equal Pay
Legalize Marijuana
Provide Basic Banking Services through the Post Office
Prosperity Grants
Increase Assistance for Single Parents
File Income Taxes
Crypto/Digital Asset Regulation and Consumer Protection
Timing of Payments for Small Businesses
Ease the Transition to Self-Driving Vehicles
Capital Gain/Carried Interest Tax
Financial Transaction Tax
Data as a Property Right
Grid Modernization Race to the Top
End Bidding Wars for Corporate Relocation
Empowering MMA Fighters
The Penny Makes No Cents
Regulate AI and other Emerging Technologies
NCAA Should Pay Athletes
ENVIRONMENT
The Freedom Dividend
Improve the American Scorecard
Combat Climate Change
Preservation of Public Lands and Water
Reduce Wildfires
Carbon Fee and Dividend
Reduce Packaging Waste
Rebuild American Infrastructure
Nuclear Energy
Grid Modernization Race to the Top
The Penny Makes No Cents
DEMOCRACY/ GOVERNANCE
The Freedom Dividend
Improve the American Scorecard
Ranked Choice Voting
Democracy Dollars
12-Year Congressional Term Limits
Restoration of Voting Rights
Automatic Voter Registration
Make Washington, DC, a State
End Partisan Gerrymandering
Public Council of Advisors
Make Election Day a Holiday
18 Year Term Limit for Supreme Court Justices
Revive the Office of Technology Assessment
Relocate Federal Agencies
Reduce Mass Incarceration
Prevent Corruption in the Federal Government
Campaign Finance Reform
Make Puerto Rico a State
American Journalism Fellows
Closely Monitor Mental Health of White House Staff
Local Journalism Fund
Automatically Sunset Old Laws
Support the Revival of Earmarks
Tort Reform/Reasonableness Dismissals
Modernize Voting
Improving the Electoral College
Limit Bureaucracy in the Federal Workforce
Lower the Voting Age to 16
Media Fragmentation
Making Taxes Fun
Head of Culture and Ceremony
Regulate AI and other Emerging Technologies
CIVIL RIGHTS/CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The Freedom Dividend
Improve the American Scorecard
Net Neutrality
LGBTQ Rights
Right to Privacy/Abortion and Contraception
Restoration of Voting Rights
Decriminalize Opioids
Automatic Voter Registration
Make Washington, DC, a State
End Partisan Gerrymandering
Hold Pharmaceutical Companies Accountable
Make Election Day a Holiday
Fighting the Rise of White Nationalism and Extremism
Zoning
Decrease Pre-Trial Cash Bail
Reduce Mass Incarceration
Gun Safety
Pathway to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants
Support the DREAM Act
Fight for Equal Pay
Legalize Marijuana
Make Puerto Rico a State
Every Cop Gets a Camera
Data as a Property Right
Algorithmic Trading/Fraud
Economic Crime
Lower the Voting Age to 16
HEALTHCARE
The Freedom Dividend
Medicare for All
Improve the American Scorecard
Control the Cost of Prescription Drugs
Right to Privacy/Abortion and Contraception
Decriminalize Opioids
Hold Pharmaceutical Companies Accountable
Invest in Americas Mental Health
Opioid Crisis
Gun Safety
Fund Medical Technology Innovation
Fund Autism Intervention
Expand Access to Medical Experts
EDUCATION
The Freedom Dividend
Improve the American Scorecard
Reduce Student Loan Burden
Control the Cost of Higher Education
Make Community College Affordable for All
Early Childhood Education for All
Promote Vocational Education
Free Financial Counseling for All
Increase Teacher Salaries
Life-Skills Education in All High Schools
Expand Selective Schools
FAMILY/SOCIAL COHESION
The Freedom Dividend
Improve the American Scorecard
American Exchange Program
Implement Mandatory Paid Leave Policy
Early Childhood Education for All
American Mall Act
Paid Family Leave
Prosperity Grants
Increase Assistance for Single Parents
Free Marriage Counseling for All
Modern Time Banking
Support for the Arts
Reduce Harm to Children Caused by Smartphones
FOREIGN POLICY
Foreign Policy First Principles
Veteran Employment and Businesses
Ending Veteran Suicide
Every Vet Under a Roof Initiative
Controlled Substance Waivers for Veterans
Improving Veteran Health
Military Training: The Gold Standard
GI Bill Improvements
Reverse Boot Camp
Quantum Computing and Encryption Standards
Modernize Military Spending
Southern Border Security
Nuclear Launch Decisions
IMMIGRATION
Pathway to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants
Support the DREAM Act
Southern Border Security
Entice High-Skill Individuals
MISCELLANEOUS/FUN
The Freedom Dividend
Public Council of Advisors
Extend Daylight Saving Time All Year
I support Yang because he is policy oriented and in my opinion is thinking about 3 steps ahead of the rest of the candidates. The list of policy proposals is lengthly and well thought out. I find him both optimistic and realistic in the need for a major change in how we think of our total societal health not just our economic well being.
https://www.yang2020.com/policies/
Prevent Airlines from Removing Customers
File Income Taxes
Tort Reform/Reasonableness Dismissals
Data as a Property Right
The Penny Makes No Cents
Support for the Arts
Making Taxes Fun
Head of Culture and Ceremony
Robo-Calling Text Line
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
RGTIndy
(203 posts)Other than you don't want to do it?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
question everything
(47,468 posts)Taxing assets? More taxes on selling of high value assets? What rate?
I've recently read that some - Warren, I think - want to tax assets. These normally are taxed when sold, when gain is realized. Taxing assets can be unfair because they may be valued now at $250,000 - your house. But tomorrow the market will tumble and the house will be worth half as much. But you've already paid the taxes.
Then I read that they are talking about $20 million so I don't care..
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RGTIndy
(203 posts)Thanks, Milton Friedman, for looking out for the rich. Poor dears, they have a helluva time.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
GeorgeGist
(25,319 posts)No thanks.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
question everything
(47,468 posts)I have posted here before that voters elect a president with whom they can connect. I used to use the term "personable" until spouse pointed to the current occupant so I changed it to visceral.
We, Democrats, consider ourselves logical. We love to explain, to teach. We do not use empty slogans. Thus we had very earnest and sincere Dukakis, and Gore and Kerry and Hillary.
Obama is a different class, he is sincere and a bit pedantic but the way he, as a black man appealed to us was a once in a lifetime event. Well, let's hope we will love long enough to live it again.
Bill Clinton, of course, is MISTER personable.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
JI7
(89,246 posts)other benefits.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
thesquanderer
(11,986 posts)The answer was in your next paragraph, the $1k/mo. UBI.
In short, I think the idea is, if automation (which impacts mostly lower paying jobs) means that there will be a lot of out-of-work unskilled/low-skilled labor, those people can still get $12k/year to be able to survive without working... and with their basic needs covered and not having to work, they would have the time to learn new skills, start a small business, etc.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
question everything
(47,468 posts)Just stay home and collecting the money?
Just as the farmers are not satisfied with being paid for losing the Chinese market. This is their lives, they say.
I am sure that many of these working in manufacturing would rather have a decent job then just sit home and collect money.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
thesquanderer
(11,986 posts)But it gives them the freedom to experiment with pursuing other kinds of vocations if the jobs they are used to are largely being lost to automation.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ecstatic
(32,681 posts)to answer questions succinctly in 60 seconds or less. Maybe he can stick around as an advisor for the nominee. But, I also agree with what you said--he needs to lose the negative talking points.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,126 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden