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carlos55
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15 Mar 2021, 9:11 am

I keep hearing about the so called Universal Basic Income.

The idea of the gov paying its entire population a fixed sum each year approx $10k for them to do what they like with.

I initially thought it was just a conspiracy theory promoted by the anti vax / lockdown movement claiming the idea of crashing the economy to enslave a large proportion of the population to the gov by keeping people on a low income and under their control.

However posters on bus shelters are now being seen here promoting the idea, the organizations behind them have UK gov ties so it looks like they may be taking the idea seriously.

I’m not completely against the idea if done responsibly ie doesn’t cause inflation, if it means I have to pay 5 times for a loaf of bread what’s the point?

But does anyone think it’s weird particularly if their in the UK where for years the gov have been banging on about responsible gov finance gov cuts, giving unemployed and disabled people a hard time for taking their £70 a week dole money calling people scroungers etc... suddenly they have 10k to give everyone for nothing.

It’s a bit like your family member who’s always been poor and tight with money suddenly saying I could just buy a Ferrari.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WJmnoL3dAcg


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Fnord
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15 Mar 2021, 9:13 am

Universal basic income ... universal basic housing ... universal basic medicine ... universal basic education ...

Where does it end?

Who pays for it?



KT67
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15 Mar 2021, 9:31 am

I think it's a good idea for autistic people.

Because we can work hard and not get a job for stupid reasons like failing interviews.

A grant would work too. Apply for a grant studying such and such an obscure thing. Focus on finding something new out about it or creating something new.


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KT67
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15 Mar 2021, 9:32 am

Fnord wrote:
Universal basic income ... universal basic housing ... universal basic medicine ... universal basic education ...

Where does it end?

Who pays for it?


Why are you listing good ideas?

Ends when it stops being a necessity or something society benefits from.

Like for eg Universal Basic Theme Park Tickets.


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carlos55
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15 Mar 2021, 9:38 am

Fnord wrote:
Universal basic income ... universal basic housing ... universal basic medicine ... universal basic education ...

Where does it end?

Who pays for it?


I like the idea but a thought had occurred to me.

They may be trying to artificially create inflation to pay off their national debts.

I think in the US the debt is coming up to 30 trillion, no way is that going to be paid off.

If they can make their currency less valuable it makes it easier to pay off.

I’m sure the Chinese will be watching.LOL

As usual they make out they are doing us a favor but possibly just looking out for their interests.


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Fnord
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15 Mar 2021, 9:54 am

Universal Basic Income: $10,000 per year, per adult person (18+).

Universal Basic Housing: 200 square feet for 1 person, plus 50 square feet per person thereafter.

Universal Basic Medicine: Free check-ups, prescriptions, and emergency care (no elective surgeries).

Universal Basic Education: K-12, plus 2 years in a skilled trade (4 years, in a STEM course).



Biscuitman
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15 Mar 2021, 9:55 am

carlos55 wrote:
I keep hearing about the so called Universal Basic Income.

The idea of the gov paying its entire population a fixed sum each year approx $10k for them to do what they like with.

I initially thought it was just a conspiracy theory promoted by the anti vax / lockdown movement claiming the idea of crashing the economy to enslave a large proportion of the population to the gov by keeping people on a low income and under their control.

However posters on bus shelters are now being seen here promoting the idea, the organizations behind them have UK gov ties so it looks like they may be taking the idea seriously.

I’m not completely against the idea if done responsibly ie doesn’t cause inflation, if it means I have to pay 5 times for a loaf of bread what’s the point?

But does anyone think it’s weird particularly if their in the UK where for years the gov have been banging on about responsible gov finance gov cuts, giving unemployed and disabled people a hard time for taking their £70 a week dole money calling people scroungers etc... suddenly they have 10k to give everyone for nothing.

It’s a bit like your family member who’s always been poor and tight with money suddenly saying I could just buy a Ferrari.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WJmnoL3dAcg


The idea has been around for decades. If any party in the UK were not going to do it though its the Tories! :lol:

It was trialed in Finland recently https://www.newscientist.com/article/2242937-universal-basic-income-seems-to-improve-employment-and-well-being/



Dial1194
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15 Mar 2021, 10:54 am

And the best thing is that it costs less than it's currently costing to not supply it, and instead spend far more on the inevitable social, legal, and financial consequences.



demeus
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15 Mar 2021, 11:07 am

I am not so much against the idea itself but what it will look like when Congress gets done with it.



Sweetleaf
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15 Mar 2021, 11:31 am

I'm all for it.


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Daddy63
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15 Mar 2021, 12:50 pm

This is nationalism on steroids.

6B people around the world (roughly 80%) live on $10 a day or less yet some think it's proper to give free money and free everything to lazy, privileged people simply because they live in wealthy nations. They already have infinite economic opportunity. It's disgusting.



Fnord
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15 Mar 2021, 1:00 pm

Granting people a basic standard of living shows compassion and mercy, qualities sadly lacking in many people.



kraftiekortie
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15 Mar 2021, 1:06 pm

I heard that Spain is trying some sort of "basic annual income."



r00tb33r
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15 Mar 2021, 1:13 pm

KT67 wrote:
Because we can work hard and not get a job for stupid reasons like failing interviews.

...How do you work hard without having the job? That sounds like not working at all.



r00tb33r
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15 Mar 2021, 1:15 pm

Yeah, I heard some whacker bürds in Europe are saying that a certain portion of the population shouldn't be working, and should be paid to stay at home and do whatever... Sounds like redistribution of wealth to me.

I think having what you earn is fair.



Daddy63
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15 Mar 2021, 1:24 pm

Fnord wrote:
Granting people a basic standard of living shows compassion and mercy, qualities sadly lacking in many people.


Exactly. Instead of making a privileged, lazy few in developed countries wealthy we should give that money to the 6B truly poor people around the global.

Andrew Yang wants to give American $12000 making them rich by any global standard. The cost to US tax payers $2.8T. Instead of making lazy Americans rich, we should give the 2.8T to the truly poor around the global. Each of the 6B would get $500 a year probably in education and creating economic opportunity. If other countries did the same, we could have a real impact on global poverty.