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The problem with unconditional basic income is that there's no incentive to do anything beyond the minimum. Like most utopian plans, this idea relies on the be

The problem with unconditional basic income is that there's no incentive to do anything beyond the minimum. Like most utopian plans, this idea relies on the belief that humans will get up and do things in large numbers. We can't even get them to voluntarily recycle and quit beating their kids.

ihsw 13y ago
It's becoming increasingly clear that some people can't work despite their willingness. Full-time job growth is at an all-time low while temporary job growth is at an all-time high. Most of the jobs gained since 2008 have been temporary jobs or jobs with too few hours.
- antitrust 13y ago
  I think that's an entirely separate argument. Do you? The fact that right now the economy stinks (P-U) and that some people who want to work, cannot, does not really have any bearing on future plans for guaranteed basic income.
jlgreco 13y ago
You've probably got a pretty good job right now, and some decent savings, right? Why? Surely you could quit your job, find a much simpler one with less responsibilities, and move into a trailer and subside on tubers and rice. Much cheaper, you don't have to work nearly as hard, and less responsibility! Of course you wouldn't do this because you like the lifestyle that your job allows you to have (and likely like your job as well). The ability to be poor and not die does not automatically make people satisfied with being poor.
MartinCron 13y ago
The problem with unconditional basic income is that there's no incentive to do anything beyond the minimum Actually, that's the problem with with means-based social programs, as there's an incentive not to work to get more stuff. We can't even get them to voluntarily recycle and quit beating their kids. Oh, never mind, you're just trolling.
ihateloggingin 13y ago
I'm sure you don't mind 1% of the population raking in a substantial passive income, though, do you?

ihsw 13y ago

It's becoming increasingly clear that some people can't work despite their willingness. Full-time job growth is at an all-time low while temporary job growth is at an all-time high. Most of the jobs gained since 2008 have been temporary jobs or jobs with too few hours.

antitrust 13y ago
I think that's an entirely separate argument. Do you? The fact that right now the economy stinks (P-U) and that some people who want to work, cannot, does not really have any bearing on future plans for guaranteed basic income.

jlgreco 13y ago

You've probably got a pretty good job right now, and some decent savings, right? Why? Surely you could quit your job, find a much simpler one with less responsibilities, and move into a trailer and subside on tubers and rice. Much cheaper, you don't have to work nearly as hard, and less responsibility! Of course you wouldn't do this because you like the lifestyle that your job allows you to have (and likely like your job as well). The ability to be poor and not die does not automatically make people satisfied with being poor.

MartinCron 13y ago

The problem with unconditional basic income is that there's no incentive to do anything beyond the minimum Actually, that's the problem with with means-based social programs, as there's an incentive not to work to get more stuff. We can't even get them to voluntarily recycle and quit beating their kids. Oh, never mind, you're just trolling.

ihateloggingin 13y ago

I'm sure you don't mind 1% of the population raking in a substantial passive income, though, do you?