Could Basic Income work in the US?

[Ray From Cleveland]

I ask this question because it was a discussion on the Michael Smerconish show on satellite radio. What basic income would do is eliminate all social programs we know as the safety net, and instead, just have government write every adult (21 and older) a check for $1,700 a month. It doesn't matter what you do with it, it's yours to spend as you like.

The savings from all these social programs would mostly fund the idea. It would eliminate tiers of bureaucracy and the hundreds if not thousands of government workers that oversee and operate these programs. There would be no food stamps, no HUD, no TANF, no welfare checks, unemployment checks, nothing. Anything you or your family needs comes out of that government check. Plus unlike our current system, it wouldn't discourage people from working. You get this check if you are Bill Gates or a homeless guy in the gutter. It would encourage people to work instead of discourage them. It would stop people from having unwanted children in order to get more goodies from the government. It would actually discourage poor people from procreating unlike our current system that rewards it. For those who could live solely on that $1,700 a month, they wouldn't have to work thus leaving open a job opportunity for those that may want it.

Switzerland is now putting it up for a vote as a trial program. If successful, it may the the law of the land. But the question I have is, who here would support such a program, and what party affiliation do you have?

Switzerland Will Hold The World's First Universal Basic Income Referendum

 

[Old Rocks]

Interesting idea. Let's wait and see how it turns out for Switzerland.

 

[amrchaos]

I don't know
Who would work the dirty jobs? The truly undesirable work that is needed.

I'm barely left of center, not a democrat

 

[SwimExpert]

I don't know
Who would work the dirty jobs? The truly undesirable work that is needed.

I'm barely left of center, not a democrat

Same people who do now.

 

[whitehall]

The assumption is that the government will save enough money from eliminating social programs to write a check for $1,700 to every person every month. Surely you jest. Once a social program is in place there ain't a way in hell it would be eliminated no matter what the promise might be. Why would a couple making a joint income of $40,800 per year even want to wok? Teenage kids living in their parents basement making $20,400 per year for sitting on their asses would love it. The marijuana industry would skyrocket. Illegal aliens would be standing in line at the border. Sure the Swiss could swing it since their total population is half of the freaking illegal aliens the U.S. supports and some Swiss banks are probably still hoarding booty stolen from the Jews in WW2.

 

[SwimExpert]

I definitely would prefer a basic income over the current state of welfare benefits, or the asinine idea that those of us who don't have children have to somehow suffer in favor of morons who don't know how to swallow. Another great benefit of this approach....No more illegals leeching off the welfare teat.

 

[SwimExpert]

Why would a couple making a joint income of $40,800 per year even want to wok?

Because that don't buy much.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

The assumption is that the government will save enough money from eliminating social programs to write a check for $1,700 to every person every month. Surely you jest. Once a social program is in place there ain't a way in hell it would be eliminated no matter what the promise might be. Why would a couple making a joint income of $40,800 per year even want to wok? Teenage kids living in their parents basement making $20,400 per year for sitting on their asses would love it. The marijuana industry would skyrocket. Illegal aliens would be standing in line at the border. Sure the Swiss could swing it since their total population is half of the freaking illegal aliens the U.S. supports and some Swiss banks are probably still hoarding booty stolen from the Jews in WW2.

I'm sure taxes would have to go up for the working. But I think most people that do work would continue working anyway. Remember, you still get your paycheck on top of the $1,700 per month from the government. Would you quit working if government gave you that check every month? I doubt it. Think of the economic stimulus that would take place.

 

[LoneLaugher]

I ask this question because it was a discussion on the Michael Smerconish show on satellite radio. What basic income would do is eliminate all social programs we know as the safety net, and instead, just have government write every adult (21 and older) a check for $1,700 a month. It doesn't matter what you do with it, it's yours to spend as you like.

The savings from all these social programs would mostly fund the idea. It would eliminate tiers of bureaucracy and the hundreds if not thousands of government workers that oversee and operate these programs. There would be no food stamps, no HUD, no TANF, no welfare checks, unemployment checks, nothing. Anything you or your family needs comes out of that government check. Plus unlike our current system, it wouldn't discourage people from working. You get this check if you are Bill Gates or a homeless guy in the gutter. It would encourage people to work instead of discourage them. It would stop people from having unwanted children in order to get more goodies from the government. It would actually discourage poor people from procreating unlike our current system that rewards it. For those who could live solely on that $1,700 a month, they wouldn't have to work thus leaving open a job opportunity for those that may want it.

Switzerland is now putting it up for a vote as a trial program. If successful, it may the the law of the land. But the question I have is, who here would support such a program, and what party affiliation do you have?

Switzerland Will Hold The World's First Universal Basic Income Referendum

You listen to Smerconish?

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

I definitely would prefer a basic income over the current state of welfare benefits, or the asinine idea that those of us who don't have children have to somehow suffer in favor of morons who don't know how to swallow. Another great benefit of this approach....No more illegals leeching off the welfare teat.

Correct. Citizens only.

 

[Norman]

Terrible idea.

I don't know
Who would work the dirty jobs? The truly undesirable work that is needed.

I'm barely left of center, not a democrat

The wage of those jobs would rise, so somebody would take them up.

Anyway, I believe this is a terrible idea. This is not the first time Switzerland is voting for it, and I believe it won't pass. A trial I could support though...

You have to realize that Switzerland is a rich free market country, unlike the USA. They actually could afford this... too bad their citizenry is smart enough to not fall for it.

 

[LoneLaugher]

Something like a guaranteed income would allow many families to have a stay at home parent again. You know....like it was in "the good ol' days" That alone would result in benefits that far outweigh the cost.

 

[stratus]

I ask this question because it was a discussion on the Michael Smerconish show on satellite radio. What basic income would do is eliminate all social programs we know as the safety net, and instead, just have government write every adult (21 and older) a check for $1,700 a month. It doesn't matter what you do with it, it's yours to spend as you like.

The savings from all these social programs would mostly fund the idea. It would eliminate tiers of bureaucracy and the hundreds if not thousands of government workers that oversee and operate these programs. There would be no food stamps, no HUD, no TANF, no welfare checks, unemployment checks, nothing. Anything you or your family needs comes out of that government check. Plus unlike our current system, it wouldn't discourage people from working. You get this check if you are Bill Gates or a homeless guy in the gutter. It would encourage people to work instead of discourage them. It would stop people from having unwanted children in order to get more goodies from the government. It would actually discourage poor people from procreating unlike our current system that rewards it. For those who could live solely on that $1,700 a month, they wouldn't have to work thus leaving open a job opportunity for those that may want it.

Switzerland is now putting it up for a vote as a trial program. If successful, it may the the law of the land. But the question I have is, who here would support such a program, and what party affiliation do you have?

Switzerland Will Hold The World's First Universal Basic Income Referendum

First, before you do anything, you have to put in place a freeze on what can be charged for any goods or services. Because the more money you have, the more money somebody else will figure out a way of taking from you. Next, some people are just better at things than other people. An added incentive should be given to those who are just better at whatever.

Moving on, people need EMPLOYMENT!!! They need WORK!!! Until that is settled, nothing is going to work. I would recommend National Socialism. Hitler knew how to employ people. And for all those bureaucrats you are talking about putting out of work, they will need to be given an actual useful employment.

Next, there should be an upper income limit for those receiving any government money. If you don't need the money, you shouldn't receive it. Also, what about all those who are in this country illegally. Or have dropped anchor babies here. The only thing they should get is a free fling on a catapult back over the border.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

I ask this question because it was a discussion on the Michael Smerconish show on satellite radio. What basic income would do is eliminate all social programs we know as the safety net, and instead, just have government write every adult (21 and older) a check for $1,700 a month. It doesn't matter what you do with it, it's yours to spend as you like.

The savings from all these social programs would mostly fund the idea. It would eliminate tiers of bureaucracy and the hundreds if not thousands of government workers that oversee and operate these programs. There would be no food stamps, no HUD, no TANF, no welfare checks, unemployment checks, nothing. Anything you or your family needs comes out of that government check. Plus unlike our current system, it wouldn't discourage people from working. You get this check if you are Bill Gates or a homeless guy in the gutter. It would encourage people to work instead of discourage them. It would stop people from having unwanted children in order to get more goodies from the government. It would actually discourage poor people from procreating unlike our current system that rewards it. For those who could live solely on that $1,700 a month, they wouldn't have to work thus leaving open a job opportunity for those that may want it.

Switzerland is now putting it up for a vote as a trial program. If successful, it may the the law of the land. But the question I have is, who here would support such a program, and what party affiliation do you have?

Switzerland Will Hold The World's First Universal Basic Income Referendum

You listen to Smerconish?

Why so surprised? I have a hold button on my radio that holds a half-hour of programming. When my local conservative radio goes to commercials, I have something to listen to in the meantime.

 

[SwimExpert]

Because the more money you have, the more money somebody else will figure out a way of taking from you.

Oh, shut the fuck up with this whiny, liberal, victimhood bullshit!

 

[LoneLaugher]

I ask this question because it was a discussion on the Michael Smerconish show on satellite radio. What basic income would do is eliminate all social programs we know as the safety net, and instead, just have government write every adult (21 and older) a check for $1,700 a month. It doesn't matter what you do with it, it's yours to spend as you like.

The savings from all these social programs would mostly fund the idea. It would eliminate tiers of bureaucracy and the hundreds if not thousands of government workers that oversee and operate these programs. There would be no food stamps, no HUD, no TANF, no welfare checks, unemployment checks, nothing. Anything you or your family needs comes out of that government check. Plus unlike our current system, it wouldn't discourage people from working. You get this check if you are Bill Gates or a homeless guy in the gutter. It would encourage people to work instead of discourage them. It would stop people from having unwanted children in order to get more goodies from the government. It would actually discourage poor people from procreating unlike our current system that rewards it. For those who could live solely on that $1,700 a month, they wouldn't have to work thus leaving open a job opportunity for those that may want it.

Switzerland is now putting it up for a vote as a trial program. If successful, it may the the law of the land. But the question I have is, who here would support such a program, and what party affiliation do you have?

Switzerland Will Hold The World's First Universal Basic Income Referendum

You listen to Smerconish?

Why so surprised? I have a hold button on my radio that holds a half-hour of programming. When my local conservative radio goes to commercials, I have something to listen to in the meantime.

I am surprised because I consider his audience to consist of people who aren't as abrasive as you are. You know...."angry is over" and all that jazz.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

Something like a guaranteed income would allow many families to have a stay at home parent again. You know....like it was in "the good ol' days" That alone would result in benefits that far outweigh the cost.

That would allow more women to home-school their children. Think of all the money we could save on that alone!

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

I ask this question because it was a discussion on the Michael Smerconish show on satellite radio. What basic income would do is eliminate all social programs we know as the safety net, and instead, just have government write every adult (21 and older) a check for $1,700 a month. It doesn't matter what you do with it, it's yours to spend as you like.

The savings from all these social programs would mostly fund the idea. It would eliminate tiers of bureaucracy and the hundreds if not thousands of government workers that oversee and operate these programs. There would be no food stamps, no HUD, no TANF, no welfare checks, unemployment checks, nothing. Anything you or your family needs comes out of that government check. Plus unlike our current system, it wouldn't discourage people from working. You get this check if you are Bill Gates or a homeless guy in the gutter. It would encourage people to work instead of discourage them. It would stop people from having unwanted children in order to get more goodies from the government. It would actually discourage poor people from procreating unlike our current system that rewards it. For those who could live solely on that $1,700 a month, they wouldn't have to work thus leaving open a job opportunity for those that may want it.

Switzerland is now putting it up for a vote as a trial program. If successful, it may the the law of the land. But the question I have is, who here would support such a program, and what party affiliation do you have?

Switzerland Will Hold The World's First Universal Basic Income Referendum

You listen to Smerconish?

Why so surprised? I have a hold button on my radio that holds a half-hour of programming. When my local conservative radio goes to commercials, I have something to listen to in the meantime.

I am surprised because I consider his audience to consist of people who aren't as abrasive as you are. You know...."angry is over" and all that jazz.

I'm never angry. If this forum made me angry, I wouldn't be here. I would be doing something that made me happy like drinking or something.

 

[Skylar]

I ask this question because it was a discussion on the Michael Smerconish show on satellite radio. What basic income would do is eliminate all social programs we know as the safety net, and instead, just have government write every adult (21 and older) a check for $1,700 a month. It doesn't matter what you do with it, it's yours to spend as you like.

The savings from all these social programs would mostly fund the idea. It would eliminate tiers of bureaucracy and the hundreds if not thousands of government workers that oversee and operate these programs. There would be no food stamps, no HUD, no TANF, no welfare checks, unemployment checks, nothing. Anything you or your family needs comes out of that government check. Plus unlike our current system, it wouldn't discourage people from working. You get this check if you are Bill Gates or a homeless guy in the gutter. It would encourage people to work instead of discourage them. It would stop people from having unwanted children in order to get more goodies from the government. It would actually discourage poor people from procreating unlike our current system that rewards it. For those who could live solely on that $1,700 a month, they wouldn't have to work thus leaving open a job opportunity for those that may want it.

Switzerland is now putting it up for a vote as a trial program. If successful, it may the the law of the land. But the question I have is, who here would support such a program, and what party affiliation do you have?

Switzerland Will Hold The World's First Universal Basic Income Referendum

Probably not. I think a more effective method for Americans would be an hourly stipend. For every hour you work, you get $5.00, or what not. Its essentially a pay bump. The more you work, the more you get.

Not that I'm for an hourly stipend either. But it would work better than universal income. At least in the US.

Incidentally, its how I think that welfare should work.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

I don't know
Who would work the dirty jobs? The truly undesirable work that is needed.

I'm barely left of center, not a democrat

People would still do those jobs. Again, the government check is in addition to your paycheck.