Basic income

Tuesday afternoon I sat down and read Robert Jameson's nifty little book 'The Case for A Basic Income.' It only took about an hour on my Kindle, and gives a very brief overview of the basics of what it is, benefits, affordability, and how it would work with incentives, wages, pensions, housing and other issues. It was a good introductory exploration of the idea for anyone who may not be familiar (it was written in the UK, but you can figure it out).

I was more familiar with the term 'Universal Basic Income' but apparently it can also be referred to as unconditional basic income, citizen's income, citizen's basic income, basic income guarantee, basic living stipend, guaranteed annual income, universal income security program and on and on and on it goes.

Whatever you want to call it, this is what google says:

Universal Basic Income is a government program in which every adult citizen receives a set amount of money on a regular basis. The goals of a basic income system are to alleviate poverty and replace other need-based social programs that potentially require greater bureaucratic involvement.

I realize it may take a certain degree of imagination to entertain, and may not be remotely plausible, but it seems on the surface to make so much sense to me, and would simplify soooooo many things.

I think I first became familiar with the concept after reading David Graeber's outstanding essay which led to his book Bullshit Jobs. Andrew Yang also ran a presidential campaign on the premise.

As for the book, it gives a good overview of the major benefits of providing a basic income...

"For many people, the great advantages of a basic income lie not in some sort of ideological vision, but rather in the fact that a basic income could bring about a monumental simplification of our tax and benefit system - a simplification that could enable huge improvements in efficiency and huge cost savings."

Also...

"With a basic income in place, there would no longer be any need for unemployment benefit. There would no longer be any need for sickness benefits paid to people who are unable to work. There would be no need for tax credits or 'universal credit' or income support. Incapacity benefit, carers' allowances, some (but not all) disability benefits, maternity allowances, child benefit, council tax benefit - no longer needed!"

These are just a few of the ways it could solve so many problems and benefit so many people. Think of the possibilities in the job market, for artists, childcare, and so many other areas aside from mere finance!

Yet, I know there have been attempts to put this into practice in different countries and it had little or no success. So... who knows.

I could go on and on (I highlighted a bunch more in the book), but you'd probably be better off spending $2.99 and reading it yourself if you're interested (although I might suggest there are probably better places to find information).

Personally, I really wish this were a possible reality, but I know it's not likely to ever be considered in the United States. Plus, I don't know if anything will work here until we can figure out a better healthcare system. Still, I hope to read more on the subject. A man can dream, can't he? God knows we're going to need to do something... someday.

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“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” -Ephesians 6:12-13