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A Prescription for Good Health in America? Andrew Yang Says Fix Trump’s Failed Economy
When Democratic primary candidates were asked last Thursday about the economic policy platforms of their campaigns in light of the fact that Trump’s economy has yielded record-setting stock market performances, historically low unemployment rates, and significant GDP numbers, Andrew Yang’s answer interestingly sounded more like a medical doctor diagnosing America’s collectively failing health than an economist wonking out on growth policies.
He assessed Trump’s economic policies in terms of their impact on American’s emotional, mental, and physical health.
The effect of his answer was really to underscore the link between the health conditions of individual Americans and their economic well-being.
Here’s what he said:
“GDP and corporate profits are at record highs in America today. Also at record highs: depression, financial insecurity, student loan debt, even suicides and drug overdoses. It has gotten so bad that our life expectancy as a country has declined for three straight years because suicide rates and drug overdoses have overtaken vehicle deaths for the first time in American history. The fact is this employment rate and GDP have very little relationship with people’s lived experience on the ground.”
