dagblog - Comments for "Rethinking the Idea of a Basic Income for All"

I think there needs to be a

artappraiser — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 23:54:03 +0000

In reply to Rethinking the Idea of a Basic Income for All

I think there needs to be a cross-link here to a previous related news thread by you:

Does your job create real value?

but would everyone,

artappraiser — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 20:42:46 +0000

In reply to It would be interesting to

but would everyone, regardless of income or wealth, receive this 10K?

Yes as regards the Swiss referendum movement.

There has been quite a bit of

EmmaZahn — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 18:38:49 +0000

In reply to It would be interesting to

There has been quite a bit of general discussion recently in reaction to the Swiss referendum. I expect it will blow over soon. But, hey, at least some seeds have been planted.

Initially there would be a

EmmaZahn — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 18:31:28 +0000

In reply to With a guaranteed income,

Initially there would be a drop in labor participation resulting the relief of economic pressure in the current state of the labor markets. It could last a long time but eventually people would adapt to the new levels, want more stuff and eventually return to some sort of employment --- but with better leverage.

My preference would be to pay people to acquire specific knowledge and skills, to participate in civic projects, etc. And there should be some baseline requirement plus additional income possible for attaining higher/broader degrees up to a cap. IOW, a minimum and a maximum.

As you note, the devil is in the details.

There has been quite a bit of

EmmaZahn — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 18:09:45 +0000

In reply to Not what I expected from

There has been quite a bit of discussion about it lately in center-right and libertarian circles no doubt stimulated by the Swiss referendum. I have been puzzling over some of their support for the idea but after reading Michael Lind's new Salon article this morning, it occurred to me that a basic income would be just one giant voucher.

Voucher-mania: Why the right is diseased (and out of ideas) - Salon.com

Not that I think the idea of voucher programs is defacto diseased, just the ones proposed on the right by the usual suspects.

It would be interesting to

Peter Schwartz — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:47:36 +0000

In reply to Rethinking the Idea of a Basic Income for All

It would be interesting to see a debate on welfare v guaranteed income on the merits.

I assume the government would dole out the 10K over the year to ensure that people didn't blow their lump sum on January 2. Or maybe not. 10K all at once gives you a lot more leverage than 875 month after month.

Libertarians can be a bit like liberals in their optimistic disregard for the downside of "human nature." They believe in the liberating and uplifting power of people making their own choices autonomously and not having to follow others' rules--and disregard the pitfalls, or even celebrate the pitfalls.

Buried inside this celebration, however, they must feel that most people will make good, even better, decisions than bureaucrats who require people to use food stamps only for food (as an example).

From a practical standpoint, I'm not sure the electorate is in the mood for simply handing people money with no strings attached. They already think that TANF (under Obama, at least) is doing that.

Bruce doesn't seem to say, but would everyone, regardless of income or wealth, receive this 10K?

With a guaranteed income,

Beetlejuice — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 14:26:00 +0000

In reply to Rethinking the Idea of a Basic Income for All

With a guaranteed income, some people would flirt with work as the article indicated did happen.

Perhaps a guaranteed income with skills training and job assessment and placement would be necessary to make sure people capable of working did just that and not opt out to enjoy personal activities.

I can see where it would be beneficial, but it's open for abuse by the individual as well as business ... rents and services raised to levels above the compensation given.

Not what I expected from

Michael Wolraich — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 04:22:01 +0000

In reply to Rethinking the Idea of a Basic Income for All

Not what I expected from Bruce Bartlett.

I didn't read the article but

trkingmomoe — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 00:56:30 +0000

In reply to Rethinking the Idea of a Basic Income for All

I didn't read the article but I know that Nixon wanted to do this.

I am a nice guy, hell I

Richard Day — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 21:55:34 +0000

In reply to Rethinking the Idea of a Basic Income for All

I am a nice guy, hell I deserve a raise!