The author grapples with defining their political identity, ultimately labeling themselves a "Waymo Democrat." This label emphasizes the need for a new approach to American politics, one focusing on reinventing the nation's industries rather than merely defending existing social programs.
While praising the activism of figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the author argues that their focus is primarily on criticizing billionaires and protecting existing social programs. This, they contend, isn't a sufficient strategy for the future, leaving the question of how to create more good jobs unanswered.
The author advocates for a 'Waymo Democrat' approach, which prioritizes investments in advanced manufacturing and new industries, using the example of the burgeoning self-driving taxi industry (Waymo) as a model. This strategy, they argue, will create more high-quality jobs and address the core issue of economic opportunity.
The author highlights Waymo's rapid growth, citing 200,000 paid rides per week in several US cities, as evidence of the potential for job creation in advanced industries. This is presented as a stark contrast to Trump's approach, which is viewed as backward-looking and focused on outdated industries.