If you gave everyone an amount of money proportional to how much money they already had (or proportional to how much income they had) then it would, indeed, mak

If you gave everyone an amount of money proportional to how much money they already had (or proportional to how much income they had) then it would, indeed, make no difference because it would not change the wealth distribution, just the denomination of notes. Like a stock split. But most basic income proposals (aka "citizens' dividend") suggest giving the same amount of money to all people (possibly with less for young children). This would actually change the income distribution. It would not necessarily require the government to print more money or even to increase taxes since (most of) the proposals also suggest eliminating existing spending on food stamps, welfare, social security, and other such expenses.