Andrew Yang in USA Today
On Budget & Economy:
We need to take best parts of both capitalism & socialism
Andrew believes the capitalism/socialism dynamic is outdated. Capitalism has driven untold innovation in this country, but technology is highlighting issues with the way it values our work/labor.
He believes we need to take the best parts of both systems to build an economy that works for us -- Andrew calls it human-centered capitalism.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
On Corporations:
Anti-trust doesn't address issues of modern tech companies
Andrew believes that the current anti-trust framework doesn't address the problem of large companies that don't charge users or feel the need to report a profit. He would promote legislation allowing Americans to own their data and address the impact of
technology on their lives, such as the mental health effects. He'd create a Cabinet-level Department of Technology staffed by experts and located in Silicon Valley to find ways to address the problems that these tech companies are causing.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
On Drugs:
Fines and judgements to fund treatment of opioid crisis
Andrew's first step is to decriminalize personal use amounts of opioids so that individuals can be referred to treatment instead of arrested and placed in jail. After that, utilizing fines and judgments against the
companies that created this epidemic, we should fund treatment centers and give everyone who needs it access. The government was complicit in this, and so Andrew believes we have a moral duty to address it.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
On Education:
Forgive "significant portion" of student loan debt
Andrew believes the government should forgive a significant portion of student loan debt -- between 40% and 60% for individuals -- based on a number of factors such as income.
There should also be additional forgiveness programs for those who work in areas that have a specific worker shortage (e.g., nurses in primary care deserts).
Andrew believes community college should be funded at a level that allows it to be free or nearly free. For other higher education,
Andrew believes we, as a country, over-prescribe college and should be focused on providing alternative pathways for students, such as apprenticeship and vocational programs.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
Get incentives right to subsidize renewable energy
Q: Should the U.S. government offer subsidies for renewable energy, such as wind energy or ethanol?
YANG: Yes. The government needs to get the incentives right, so we should provide subsidies to the renewable sector and end them for fossil fuel companies.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
On Government Reform:
Automatic voter registration & lower voting age to 16
Andrew believes we need to increase voting access through automatic voter registration, lowering the voting age to 16, and restoring voting rights to individuals who have committed crimes that
don't deprive others of their ability to vote. He also believes we need to make voting more accessible and ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote. Studies have found almost no credible instances of voter fraud.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
On Health Care:
Provide comprehensive mental health coverage
Andrew absolutely believes we need more funding for mental health. He would provide comprehensive mental health coverage through a
Medicare for All plan so that all Americans who need it can receive treatment.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
On Health Care:
Supports forced licensing of drug patents to control costs
Andrew would allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. He would push for the use of international reference pricing to control costs. If companies couldn't get costs under control, he would support forced licensing of drug patents to other
companies who could. He'd also support the creation of public manufacturing facilities to make necessary medications. If all else fails, Andrew is in favor of allow drug importation.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
On Homeland Security:
Make domestic terrorism a primary focus of FBI, DHS, DOJ
Andrew would improve political rhetoric by refusing to use inflammatory language, create a federal domestic terrorism statute, enforce that law and study the rise of extremism through the FBI, DHS, and DOJ.
He would direct these agencies to view domestic terrorism as a primary focus, and work with allies abroad to combat the rise of extremism.
Source: USA Today on 2019 Democratic primary
Nov 7, 2019
Page last updated: Sep 23, 2022