First, I don't think people advocating a guaranteed minimum income are talking about setting it anywhere near $70,000. The choice would be more like--here's $25

First, I don't think people advocating a guaranteed minimum income are talking about setting it anywhere near $70,000. The choice would be more like--here's $25k a year to cover the basics. Now you're free to work part time, or start your own business to earn extra, and if you want to make $70k you're probably going to need to work full time. Second, we already try to ensure a guaranteed minimum income, but in an indirect way. Instead of giving people money directly, we force employers to do it through minimum wage laws, and other regulations.