4 ms·

what do you think of basic income? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income

by exit 16y ago

protomyth 16y ago
Maybe in the future, but it sure seems like a disincentive to working. I would prefer we implement a flat-rate tax on income filed as individuals and not as a family. Something like a 20/20 (first 20k exempt then 20% of the rest). I am not sure about the actual numbers (sounds like a big data crunch through the IRS income reporting would be good). Regardless of policy, it is very important to get as many people in the mode "I am paying for this government" so that fiscal responsibility is desired by most as opposed to a handout mentality.
- exit 16y ago
  > Maybe in the future, what are the criteria for this future?
  - protomyth 16y ago
    I guess when robots get too good at replacing humans (reasoning, mobile, perform skilled work).
    - exit 16y ago
      so why are people unemployed now? isn't it, as Retric put it, that superficial jobs are being automated? do you think all those unemployed now are just lazy?
      - protomyth 16y ago
        wow, talk about interpreting what I said way out of context and intent...... No, I don't think unemployed people are all lazy. Where the heck did I even come close to saying that? I believe the "basic income" as described in your link is wrong for right now and has more of a basis in some future. People are unemployed because we are in an economic downturn and people are not spending and capital has also dried up. Companies are going without more than automating. This isn't the consequence of some tech revolution, it is the consequence of poor decision making on Wall Street and in Government.
hnal943 16y ago
We have so many people today who needs aren't being met and still aren't contributing. What about Basic Income motivates people to work when all their needs are met by doing nothing? This question even ignores logistical difficulties like what the definition of a wage "to meet all their needs" would be, or where the money to fund such a program would come from.
- exit 16y ago
  > We have so many people today who needs aren't being met and still aren't contributing. can you clarify this? their needs aren't met because they have no ability to contribute to the labor market..
Retric 16y ago
I think it's a reasonable idea if set low enough. Over time remove Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment assistance etc and set all taxes at a flat rate then give everyone say ~700 to 1000$ per month inflation adjusted + heath care. The problem is we live in a democracy so that number can and will be fucked with. Also, handling money for young children to avoid "professional welfare mothers". PS: The odd things the actual numbers don't change much from the current system, but the advantage is it removes perverse incentives. There is no threshold where earning more money is taxed at insane levels (sometimes over 100%) as public assistance is removed.

what do you think of basic income? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income

by exit 16y ago

what do you think of basic income? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_income

Maybe in the future, but it sure seems like a disincentive to working. I would prefer we implement a flat-rate tax on income filed as individuals and not as a family. Something like a 20/20 (first 20k exempt then 20% of the rest). I am not sure about the actual numbers (sounds like a big data crunch through the IRS income reporting would be good). Regardless of policy, it is very important to get as many people in the mode "I am paying for this government" so that fiscal responsibility is desired by most as opposed to a handout mentality.

exit 16y ago
> Maybe in the future, what are the criteria for this future?
- protomyth 16y ago
  I guess when robots get too good at replacing humans (reasoning, mobile, perform skilled work).
  - exit 16y ago
    so why are people unemployed now? isn't it, as Retric put it, that superficial jobs are being automated? do you think all those unemployed now are just lazy?
    - protomyth 16y ago
      wow, talk about interpreting what I said way out of context and intent...... No, I don't think unemployed people are all lazy. Where the heck did I even come close to saying that? I believe the "basic income" as described in your link is wrong for right now and has more of a basis in some future. People are unemployed because we are in an economic downturn and people are not spending and capital has also dried up. Companies are going without more than automating. This isn't the consequence of some tech revolution, it is the consequence of poor decision making on Wall Street and in Government.

hnal943 16y ago

We have so many people today who needs aren't being met and still aren't contributing. What about Basic Income motivates people to work when all their needs are met by doing nothing? This question even ignores logistical difficulties like what the definition of a wage "to meet all their needs" would be, or where the money to fund such a program would come from.

exit 16y ago
> We have so many people today who needs aren't being met and still aren't contributing. can you clarify this? their needs aren't met because they have no ability to contribute to the labor market..

Retric 16y ago

I think it's a reasonable idea if set low enough. Over time remove Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment assistance etc and set all taxes at a flat rate then give everyone say ~700 to 1000$ per month inflation adjusted + heath care. The problem is we live in a democracy so that number can and will be fucked with. Also, handling money for young children to avoid "professional welfare mothers". PS: The odd things the actual numbers don't change much from the current system, but the advantage is it removes perverse incentives. There is no threshold where earning more money is taxed at insane levels (sometimes over 100%) as public assistance is removed.