We're on the verge of something new here: something that has the potential of bordering on the Trump phenomenon to put it simply. This thread may go all the way.
At this point I am alienated by politics; I see it as glorified identity politics (or, collective political turf wars) rather than pragmatic problem solving. Is it any wonder shit is so dysfunctional now within the Beltway? For a brief background, I voted for Johnson in '16 as both a protest vote and a vote for solutions, rather than identity politics as I see it. I saw the potential in Trump but I reserved the judgement that as a movement, the Trump train would stall at some point after he was elected. At that point in time, I predicted one of two things would happen, no joke: one, the trump movement would be destroyed by within from globalists and neo-liberals (in his admin), or two, get derailed in a foreign war. I would say the first has happened, and that we're on the cusp of number two happening, whether it be Venezuela or some other impoverished third world boogeyman.
Philosophically or ideologically you could call me a paleo-libertarian, or in other words, a libertarian with strong social conservative leanings. I am old enough to remember the failings of the Ron Paul movement circa 2008 or so, despite the massive amounts of grassroots support the guy had. Very appalled was how I would put it about how that movement--the one I still most closely identify with-- which failed. Obama's election didn't even bother me that much, because even though the people were Obama drones, they didn't seem that self-loathing or self-hating at all. They had the spirit of something more than business as usual--and that was ok. While we could say Obama was a messianic figure within the modern liberal movement, it didn't seem overtly like narcissistic identity politics that he was pushing, even though it was beneath the veneer of triumphant liberal idealism. In hindsight he was fits the mold of modern liberal candidates, selected for their skill in pushing identity politics. What bothers me is he got a second term rubber-stamped despite the fact that he did nothing to improve our situation collectively following the recession. The massive shill-ery in the media for him despite his obvious shortcomings was also troubling.
Now we are faced with Andrew Yang. He could go all the way. He is not that charismatic, but then again, neither was Bernie, who was very successful despite Democratic interventions in the primary last election cycle. People say Obama was charismatic, but I never saw it that way. He always looked like a guy very insecure about his identit(ies) but who was very successful in deceiving people who always just looked towards first impressions. If we could say anything about Trump, it is not so much charisma as it is pure Alpha-ness, non-supplication, and street fighting skills learned from his time in New York that made him so appealing. To be clear: Trump ran on what was essentially a crypto-identity politics platform. People were able to hear the dog-whistles if you will, to see what he was really saying about the direction the US was, and is, headed.
Mr. Yang is really exciting despite the fact that he sounds like your garden-variety Silicon Valley approved entrepreneur. Let’s be honest: he probably has the backing of many in the Valley although I’m not trying to be overly cynical about his overall message and palatability to us on the forum. It is very possible that he is Silicon Valley’s Trojan horse being pushed to prevent a true clamp-down on the overall toxic-ness of Big Tech. He is probably backed by them because of the basic income message. Many there are in favor of it, off the top of my head, Zuckerberg, and I think also Peter Thiel. It may just be an effort to cut their losses.
His message about the basic income is groundbreaking, although within economic circles, both mainstream and heterodox, it has been talked about for many years. It was in the 60’s that of all people, both Milton Friedman and MLK were proposing it. It is refreshing that he’s not running on reparations. Unlike other Dems he has actually created jobs. He also is maybe a crypto-accelerationist looking at his positions. If you remember, Trump was also a Crypto-Accelerationist. Additionally he is a crypto-enthuasist, he proposes using the block-chain for voting!
On some level the guy grasps the technological changes happening much better than any other candidate or politician. He is an ideas guy, and that has me excited. He sees the changes happening and knows it can’t be business as usual. That’s far better than 99 percent of politicians.
He also is memeable as fuck, and we will see how Meme Magic goes this time.
I’m already read his whole platform, and even if I don’t agree with all of it, I’m actually looking forward to hearing the debate that happens concerning it and some of his more radical proposals.
He could be our guy.
Bottom line is if he keeps generating attention and scrutiny, we will have a much better election speaking holistically, than without him. He may be the guy that keeps Trump, or the Dems for that matter, honest and pushes ideas and solutions forward. I have not been this excited about a candidate since Ron Paul.
RooshV.com