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Am I the only one who hates both the term, the idea and frequent discussions of "Universal Basic Income"? -The term feels like just a rebranding of slightly-mo

Am I the only one who hates both the term, the idea and frequent discussions of "Universal Basic Income"? -The term feels like just a rebranding of slightly-modified concepts that have been around forever -The term also says "income" when it's really just "Forced Redistribution (FR)". ... why does the term focus on the money people receive and not the money people pay? -The discussions in favor of UBI/FR generally revolve around new inventions which could lead to mass unemployment. These are such old arguments that have been debunked with every new mass-unemployment causing invention, from the rake to the tractor to the sewing machine. UBI/FR supporters have the same arguments as those who burned down sewing machine factories in the 1800s. -What would the world look like if we implemented UBI/FR after the sewing machine or tractor? And would year 2500 look better with or without UBI/FR? -Why do people support a government policy that they wouldn't support for their own children? Most of us have known of or heard of rich families where the kids got all the money and resources they need into adulthood vs those who were forced to earn their own way... it's obvious which parenting strategy turns out better.

zestyping 6y ago
Forced redistribution already happens. It's called taxes. The salient difference between the current system and UBI is on the receiving end: some of the taxes are paid back out directly as a basic income. That's why FR isn't a useful name. "Universal basic income" describes what the real change would be.
Sodman 6y ago
> Why do people support a government policy that they wouldn't support for their own children? Most of us have known of or heard of rich families where the kids got all the money and resources they need into adulthood vs those who were forced to earn their own way... it's obvious which parenting strategy turns out better. UBI is about providing a floor for people. Most people like the idea of their children having access to food, shelter, healthcare and education. From the article, the amount here is "just above Germany's poverty line", so it's not fair to compare it to "rich families where the kids got all the money and resources". People earning this UBI have enough to survive, but not much more. This isn't enough money to go on family vacations, buy fancy cars, live in lavish homes, etc. There is still a strong incentive to work and improve your personal circumstances, the main difference is that losing your job, or having a medical issue, shouldn't be enough to put you or your family on the street.

zestyping 6y ago

Forced redistribution already happens. It's called taxes. The salient difference between the current system and UBI is on the receiving end: some of the taxes are paid back out directly as a basic income. That's why FR isn't a useful name. "Universal basic income" describes what the real change would be.

Sodman 6y ago

> Why do people support a government policy that they wouldn't support for their own children? Most of us have known of or heard of rich families where the kids got all the money and resources they need into adulthood vs those who were forced to earn their own way... it's obvious which parenting strategy turns out better. UBI is about providing a floor for people. Most people like the idea of their children having access to food, shelter, healthcare and education. From the article, the amount here is "just above Germany's poverty line", so it's not fair to compare it to "rich families where the kids got all the money and resources". People earning this UBI have enough to survive, but not much more. This isn't enough money to go on family vacations, buy fancy cars, live in lavish homes, etc. There is still a strong incentive to work and improve your personal circumstances, the main difference is that losing your job, or having a medical issue, shouldn't be enough to put you or your family on the street.