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If only people's income had a direct correlation with how much value they produce[1] and how hard they work. Sadly its mostly about power and scarcity. Why shou

If only people's income had a direct correlation with how much value they produce[1] and how hard they work. Sadly its mostly about power and scarcity. Why should the secretary make so much less than their boss? Why should a person who assembles cars make less than the CEO? Scarcity (lots of people could be a secretary) and power (The CEO has ascended ranks and built up power within a cohort) . Re: Lotteries. Many lottery winners are bankrupt in a short time because they become a feeding ground for wolves too. Its not just the winner, but their friends, family, charities and the other sales targets they become. Thinking you have unlimited money and having a specific income ($1000 a month) are two very different things. Yes they may "Run through" the $1000. But there will be another $1000 next month. When the money is dilute and universal there will be no reason to "feed" on any individual. so really you're comparing apples and oranges. [1] http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/06/16/the-highest-paid-ceos-are-the-worst-performers-new-study-says/ http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/06/16/the-highes...

Mz 11y ago
I agree there are things we should do differently. But arguing that a secretary or factory worker deserve a better compensation package seems pretty unrelated to basic income. There are plenty of rich people that others would like to take advantage of. People who inherited wealth or grew up middle class and earned their money tend to have develoed defense mechanisms. They know how to make themselves less of a target and to say no to most people. Lottery winners tend to lack those cultural or psychological assets. I have no reason to believe universal basic income will cure mankind of avarice. Even very rich people often want moire, more, more. If this were not try, we likely wouldn't have the current set of problems we are wrestling with.

Mz 11y ago

I agree there are things we should do differently. But arguing that a secretary or factory worker deserve a better compensation package seems pretty unrelated to basic income. There are plenty of rich people that others would like to take advantage of. People who inherited wealth or grew up middle class and earned their money tend to have develoed defense mechanisms. They know how to make themselves less of a target and to say no to most people. Lottery winners tend to lack those cultural or psychological assets. I have no reason to believe universal basic income will cure mankind of avarice. Even very rich people often want moire, more, more. If this were not try, we likely wouldn't have the current set of problems we are wrestling with.