4 ms·

I don't know about the UK, but in the US, you effectively have a choice between getting welfare and working. So people have the option to take some low-paying j

by lg 10y ago

I don't know about the UK, but in the US, you effectively have a choice between getting welfare and working. So people have the option to take some low-paying job, but they don't do it because then they lose welfare benefits that pay almost as much, sometimes subsidizing childcare etc. so it's an unemployment trap. UBI is much saner because you get it in addition to any income you earn from working, so you can go ahead and take that low-paying job as well.

TheSageMage 10y ago
This is an earned income tax credit(https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/eitc-earned-income-tax-credit-questions-and-answers https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-in...). Personally I could get behind the "lower federal minimum wages regulations" if it were met with a "but increase a EITC to help tweak the income of those who need help".
swift 10y ago
I think you know, but just to clarify for others: it is easily possible in the US to be in a situation where increasing the number of hours you work or accepting a job that pays more will paradoxically reduce your income: http://www.learnliberty.org/blog/the-welfare-cliff-and-why-many-low-income-workers-will-never-overcome-poverty/ http://www.learnliberty.org/blog/the-welfare-cliff-and-why-m...
keithnz 10y ago
this is the key point, getting a benefit, you are restricted in what you can do and you get problems as soon as you earn any extra money.... getting a UBI, which everyone gets, is different, you are free to do as much extra as you like. There are no requirements to show you are looking for work, meeting with welfare agencies etc etc. Benefits have a large negative stigma. People try to earn extra all hush hush / secret with large negative consequences if caught. However, UBI does have some challenges. Current benefit systems try to adapt to each individuals situations, UBI is blind to individual circumstances.
jimnotgym 10y ago
This is exactly the same in the UK, particularly with housing benefit

by lg 10y ago

TheSageMage 10y ago

This is an earned income tax credit(https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/eitc-earned-income-tax-credit-questions-and-answers https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-in...). Personally I could get behind the "lower federal minimum wages regulations" if it were met with a "but increase a EITC to help tweak the income of those who need help".

swift 10y ago

I think you know, but just to clarify for others: it is easily possible in the US to be in a situation where increasing the number of hours you work or accepting a job that pays more will paradoxically reduce your income: http://www.learnliberty.org/blog/the-welfare-cliff-and-why-many-low-income-workers-will-never-overcome-poverty/ http://www.learnliberty.org/blog/the-welfare-cliff-and-why-m...

keithnz 10y ago

this is the key point, getting a benefit, you are restricted in what you can do and you get problems as soon as you earn any extra money.... getting a UBI, which everyone gets, is different, you are free to do as much extra as you like. There are no requirements to show you are looking for work, meeting with welfare agencies etc etc. Benefits have a large negative stigma. People try to earn extra all hush hush / secret with large negative consequences if caught. However, UBI does have some challenges. Current benefit systems try to adapt to each individuals situations, UBI is blind to individual circumstances.

jimnotgym 10y ago

This is exactly the same in the UK, particularly with housing benefit