An insight on Andrew Yang

By Fiona Conway and Sophia Kim

Silver Spring, Md. -- Balance. That’s how Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Yang sell themselves as running mates for the 2020 presidential election.

Andrew Yang is a 44 year old graduate from Columbia, and a previous corporate lawyer. He currently works in Venture for America, which helps young entrepreneurs pursue their ambitions.

Many criticize Yang’s lack of political experience. However, he cites it as an advantage.

“I am not a politician, I am an entrepreneur so I know about the economy and how to create jobs. I’m a new perspective on the economic side of things.”

His running mate, Elizabeth Warren has many years of experience as a Senator and says that, “Yang is hardworking and he has new perspective to use to help serve this country and I believe that we will work well together and balance each other out.”

A major tenant of his platform is his idea of universal basic income. He believes “[universal basic income] is necessary to support the middle class and while some people believe it is unpopular and unrealistic, [he] has a detailed plan.”

His plan includes drawing funding from four main places. The first being current spending on social programs. A value added tax (10% tax on all goods and services) would create a large amount of funding and would make it harder for businesses to hide their revenue. The third source would be investing in the economy which will then grow the economy and create more revenue. Finally, a tax on top earners on the economy and a carbon fee would generate the rest of the necessary funding to accomplish Yang’s plan.

Another one of Yang’s policy goals is to have a massive change in immigration policies, specifically opening up the United States’ borders to refugees. Yang’s parents are from Taiwan, so he knows firsthand the experiences of immigrants, and believes that they are a key part of our country.

Yang is one of few Asian American candidates to run for president and former President Barack Obama has called him, “an inspiration to many Asian Americans and a role model.”

Warren has been criticized for not discussing her stance on abortion in depth, but Yang says that he is in full support of abortion. He also adds that there should be affordable health care for everyone, and wants to continue the path Obama was creating.

Warren and Yang are set to appear at a press conference later today and at a debate taking place later this week.