'A Game Changer': Andrew Yang Explains How He'd Give Every American $1,000 Per Month [View all]

[Sherman A1]

When you hear a big idea from a presidential candidate, do you ever want to ask: How would that work?

Two undecided voters John Zeitler, a 48-year-old attorney for an insurance company, and Hetel Jani, 38, who runs a nonprofit focused on education and mentorship, wanted to know more about the so-called "freedom dividend" from first-time presidential candidate Andrew Yang.

The voters, along with Morning Edition host Noel King, sat down with Yang at a midtown Manhattan a dumpling shop called Baodega – part of Off Script, a series of interviews with 2020 presidential candidates. Listen to the group's conversation about the freedom dividend by clicking the audio button above. Watch the full conversation here.

Yang, a tech entrepreneur and author, proposes that the government give every American adult $1,000 a month — a form of universal basic income, no strings attached. He says this income is necessary in order to address wide-scale job losses due to automation. It would help people have the resources to afford to look for work, care for a loved one, start a business or do nonprofit work.

https://www.npr.org/2019/10/23/770962701/a-game-changer-andrew-yang-explains-how-he-d-give-every-american-1-000-per-month