Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
Mon Jun 10, 2019, 12:43 PM Jun 2019

Random Man Runs for President


The table was set for perhaps 15 people when Andrew Yang arrived at a Manhattan dinner party in the summer of 2017. The dinner’s sponsor was a club that describes its purpose as “exploring the big, bold ideas” of “America’s leading problem solvers.” The evening’s designated topic of discussion was the future of work. Earlier that year, Yang had stepped down from his job as chief executive of Venture for America, a nonprofit organization he founded to send young entrepreneurs to cities in need of economic revitalization.

Yang “came in and, being Andrew, kind of took over the room,” recalls fellow dinner guest Zach Graumann. At the time, Graumann was a 31-year-old wealth manager who ran a nonprofit on the side that Yang sometimes advised. “I think he’s going to give the Venture for America spiel. And he doesn’t,” Graumann says. Instead, Yang talked about how automation has displaced millions of workers in Middle America, and will soon displace millions more, pushing the country into social crisis. “He drops the bomb that most of America’s waking up to now,” Graumann remembers. “He drops what I call the ‘automation bomb,’ and why Trump is our president today, and he starts rattling off his stats and his vision.”

When Yang concluded by announcing that he was running for president, Graumann reacted in disbelief. “I was like: ‘Of America? President of America?’ ” Yang replied in the affirmative. “I was like, all right,” Graumann recalls. “Cool, man, I’ll help. I’m in.”

Graumann would later quit his job to work on Yang’s White House bid full time as his campaign manager. Together, they and two staff members laid the groundwork for the campaign, working out of an ad hoc office in a Midtown Manhattan apartment that Yang’s mother owned. None had ever worked in politics.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/06/10/feature/random-man-runs-for-president-the-odd-saga-of-andrew-yang-explained/?utm_term=.543b518e9659
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Random Man Runs for President (Original Post) Sherman A1 Jun 2019 OP
Random man.... murielm99 Jun 2019 #1
Yang is a time traveler from a better future uawchild Jun 2019 #2
The main problem I have with UBI is that it will be used as an excuse to slash massive parts of the Celerity Jun 2019 #4
I disagree with you on this topic Sherman A1 Jun 2019 #5
I like him! Karadeniz Jun 2019 #3
 

murielm99

(30,657 posts)
1. Random man....
Mon Jun 10, 2019, 12:50 PM
Jun 2019

why not? We have Florida Man in the White House right now.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

uawchild

(2,208 posts)
2. Yang is a time traveler from a better future
Mon Jun 10, 2019, 12:50 PM
Jun 2019

He really has a lot of forward looking ideas that will become policy in the future, the near future I hope.

I like that he is pushing for a form of guaranteed basic income.

As automation and artificial intelligence disrupt our current economy and workforce, that seems like the only equitable way to distribute wealth gains thru out society and not just concentrating them in the hands of the 1%.

The alternative will be the impoverishment of working Americans.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Celerity

(42,666 posts)
4. The main problem I have with UBI is that it will be used as an excuse to slash massive parts of the
Mon Jun 10, 2019, 09:15 PM
Jun 2019

social safety net and gut the basic welfare state.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
5. I disagree with you on this topic
Tue Jun 11, 2019, 06:12 AM
Jun 2019

Yes, things will change and change is an inevitable in all things. I don't see it as an excuse to cut the welfare state but an opportunity to either make it unnecessary in some cases and to streamline it in others. If an individual is receiving UBI, the welfare payments currently being received may in some cases be less and the UBI a better deal. As envisioned individuals will be able to take the better of the two for themselves and families and will not be forced into one system or the other.

It will also benefit businesses as the consumers will have more purchasing power which as we know has been eroded over the decades. His plan is also to fundamentally change how we measure and value work in our society expanding the definition of work and creating more balance for all of us.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Democratic Primaries»Random Man Runs for Presi...