One is dependent, the other is universal. It's a huge difference. The dependent one has big flaws from corruption to a real incentive to be "poor" / to cheat the system. Someone can do the math, but the cost associated with the dependencies - verification, application, enforcement, persecution... is probably pretty large also. Again, one is dependent, the other is not. Many people fall through the crack when they can't meet the requirements for current safety net, which has been under attack. Can't the VAT not exclude essential (food, medicine..)? Can the VAT focus on automaton and data? Tax every miles from a self driving truck delivering goods. Tax every ads creation from user data? I don't think Yang has gone into details on what exactly the VAT apply to, but he commonly talk about the Amzn, Uber, Google and Facebook of the world as where it is being focused. I prefer it to not be deficit financed, but not against it to sustain in through exactly the time that it's needed the most - economic downturn. I'm not sure why it's the same math? The GOP tax break goes mainly to the top that isn't going to spend it at a high rate compared to this that goes to every citizen. Most of it will get spent and recycled back into the economy. I know we've been talking about shift or wealth transfer. That's one way to look at it. I think the other way to look at this is this is indeed a dividend. The Google and Facebook of the world is using people data literally to make a nice profit. A return of some of that back to the people is pretty fair to me.
This is a juxtaposition of Yang and Bernie's speeches at the DNC summer meetings in San Francisco this past week. I can't account for any editing trickery, but you can't help but feel like Bernie's message is a bit stale and people are tired of the angry populism. The DNC also seemed shockingly receptive to Yang. I'll always be a Bernie fan, but it feels like Yang is simply the next evolution of the American progressive.
Full cut of the DNC speech. This is about as sharp as I've ever seen him. That was 10 extremely well rehearsed minutes. This is a great video to share with friends and prospective voters that really encapsulates his campaign.
He makes a great point about Amazon. I wish more people would hit Amazon hard on not paying taxes. They are worse than illegal immigrants or people who hire them who don't pay taxes.
Amazon is playing by the rules we created. It's our fault for electing corrupt and incompetent people who made these rules to begin with.
You do realize that politicians are corrupt because that's what happens? It's not some new thing and I don't really know how you can avoid it. Yang is also corrupt, and if not, he will be. You don't get far if you don't play ball with your peers.
If you are insinuating that we have a system that has exploitable vulnerabilities and foundational problems that create and allow for corruption, then yes, I agree with you. That is why I am so happy that Yang is championing election and governance reform. https://www.yang2020.com/blog/restoring-democracy-rebuilding-trust/
Yang (5%) just leapfrogged Buttigieg (4%) for 5th place in Monmouth early state (Super Tuesday and earlier) aggregate polling. https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/monmouthpoll_US_082619/ Still a ways off from 4th (7 points) but it's looking more and more like Yang either is or will soon be part of the 2nd tier of candidates behind the Big 3 of Bernie, Liz, and Joe. Great progress.
I thought the implication of the complaints about Amazon free-riding is that we should change the rules to not allow businesses to do what they're doing. It sounds like you're saying we should let them continue to free-ride because it's our fault we got taken advantage of in the first place. Is that right?
Pretty sure it's the former. I think the point is that we shouldn't necessarily villainize companies like Amazon for striving for and paying as little tax as possible. Like you say, we should change the rules.
Exactly. Getting mad at private companies for playing by the rules we set up for them is a misapplication. The point is to elect people to change the rules. Yang happens to be one of the champions of changing those rules.
Well. We will see if he is any different. I don't think he will be but if he is... God help him. I largely agree that we have a system that is corrupt and unfortunately I don't know of a system without political corruption. It seems to be a natural occurrence because of greed and power. I am not apologizing for it... it's wrong. But I would like to see some real reform to stamp out as much as possible. Corruption can ruin a society if not handled somewhat.... and there are more corrupt places than others. Not sure what Yang can do though.
Yeah... well sadly I've talked to many politicians and this is basically what they tell you when they are not being recorded.... They see it at a game... a necessary evil. The ones that don't figure this out... don't last.
The good news just keeps rolling in. Andrew Yang is 5th place in latest Emerson national poll of Democratic voters.
I have to say I disagree with Yang on UBI but I like him better than Creepy Joe. Would consider voting for him over that weirdo.
