- Joined
- Oct 31, 2011
- Messages
- 10,658
- Reaction score
- 3,773
- Location
- Chicago
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Very Conservative
buy some gme.
Shocked. Thanks!!Hmm... are you surprised that so few starving homeless folks are posting on DP?
I genuinely appreciate all the responses! I'm informally categorizing the responses in my brain.
My point, as some may have sussed out, is that is what a universal basic income is about. If we gave $500.00/a month to every working age American (about 200 million Americans), that would amount to $1.2 trillion a year. Without making any tax changes, that would actually reduce government outlays in a variety of programs - TANF, foodstamps, unemployment, Medicaid - and improve the quality of life for every American. Even those that don't have any need for that extra $6000.
As many have highlighted here, it would allow travel, purchases, and saving for retirement that are otherwise out of reach. Those are important economic activities that also generate tax revenues - fuel taxes, sales taxes, travel taxes, vehicle taxes - and also reduce the need for many government programs. Studies show it improves employment and upward mobility, and, more importantly, helps in emergent conditions. Food for thought.
Please, more examples. This is a thought experiment for me.
Oh come on. Surely not the weakest. Aside from which, I don't see much in the way of "profound implications." No poster so far has said something like, "I'll eat a decent meal," or "I'll find a place to live," right?? Thanks!!
Damn, NWRatCon - you think just like me!
I'd give everyone a minimal UI, along with a solid national healthcare program. I would do this in lieu of the current plethora of social programs, especially the means-tested programs. There's nothing less productive than means-tested social programs!
I would buy a new Windows computer with the permanent version of Microsoft Office, speakers, and a separate mouse and keyboard first, along with Adobe Photoshop. The only reason I have an iMac is I could not buy it myself so only my mom could choose it. My computer works fine, but I absolutely HATE the operating system and always told myself I will never have an Apple computer. After that, I would spend it on adopting two kittens and al cat care expenses.
You’re already wrong. It wouldn’t reduce government outlays at all since all the programs you think UBI will supplant are run by unemployable beta males and feminists that are themselves basically welfare recipients and they will fight like hell to keep administering their programs. Then there is activists groups that will lobby that UBI not be considered income for welfare eligibility, then there is the fact many of the poor have terribly money habits or other problems and will simply blow the money. So the activists and administrators of the programs will go “see look the UBI isn’t enough”I genuinely appreciate all the responses! I'm informally categorizing the responses in my brain.
My point, as some may have sussed out, is that is what a universal basic income is about. If we gave $500.00/a month to every working age American (about 200 million Americans), that would amount to $1.2 trillion a year. Without making any tax changes, that would actually reduce government outlays in a variety of programs - TANF, foodstamps, unemployment, Medicaid - and improve the quality of life for every American. Even those that don't have any need for that extra $6000.
As many have highlighted here, it would allow travel, purchases, and saving for retirement that are otherwise out of reach. Those are important economic activities that also generate tax revenues - fuel taxes, sales taxes, travel taxes, vehicle taxes - and also reduce the need for many government programs. Studies show it improves employment and upward mobility, and, more importantly, helps in emergent conditions. Food for thought.
Please, more examples. This is a thought experiment for me.
I suppose we could stick with the mean sociopathic programs preferred by conservatives that reward antisocial activities...What could possibly be a better idea than rewarding individual socioeconomic failure with means tested “safety net” program benefits?
What could possibly be a better idea than rewarding individual socioeconomic failure with means tested “safety net” program benefits?
I abhor means tested benefits.
The federal income tax (FIT) code is now loaded with them, as are most of the federal “safety net” programs. Even Social Security retirement benefits are means tested (via the FIT code).
Which is why some retirees always talk about limiting their hours in part-time work, and why others desire cash. Terrible disincentive, in my opinion.
invest it in land.This is a simple question, but with profound implications: If you were "gifted" $6000/year - no strings attached - what would you do with it?
It's an interesting one.I genuinely appreciate all the responses! I'm informally categorizing the responses in my brain.
My point, as some may have sussed out, is that is what a universal basic income is about. If we gave $500.00/a month to every working age American (about 200 million Americans), that would amount to $1.2 trillion a year. Without making any tax changes, that would actually reduce government outlays in a variety of programs - TANF, foodstamps, unemployment, Medicaid - and improve the quality of life for every American. Even those that don't have any need for that extra $6000.
As many have highlighted here, it would allow travel, purchases, and saving for retirement that are otherwise out of reach. Those are important economic activities that also generate tax revenues - fuel taxes, sales taxes, travel taxes, vehicle taxes - and also reduce the need for many government programs. Studies show it improves employment and upward mobility, and, more importantly, helps in emergent conditions. Food for thought.
Please, more examples. This is a thought experiment for me.