The idea thats appearing in the US as something of the Swiss Plan for a means tested income check distribution program, has a label--Universal Basic Income, or UBI. As a Libertarian I see this as a means for meeting all of my goals for a society, except the actual writing a check to low income people. By writing a check, it feels like an cop-out by removing charities and the opportunity for Citizens to fill the void (the Libertarian dream of charitable giving made possible by eliminating the yoke of government from the masses). But, UBI retains individual responsibility. It DRASTICALLY downsizes the central government. It is a very real, alternative economic approach for a world where the developed economy is so damn efficient at production, capital growth and moving and amassing money to the top. UBI will not diminish the top in any real way, economically. But it will, politically. Im not an actual Libertarian but perhaps Im a neo-Libertarian, or simply a minimalist. I have no faith that charitable giving will fill the void once we slash government in half. And Im aghast that some Conservatives think its OK that society as whole should foot the bill for seen unforeseen negative externalities (carbon, smog, DDT, erosion, destroyed water tables, on and on and on). Give me a frucking break. I do not agree with the UN version of UBI. I do not think that social services should be delivered to the people in this model. The Deal is if you get a monthly check, which is calculated for you to cover other costs, then you take the responsibility to pay for them. We have shared with each other the bounty of the Realm, so you do your part. Yes, there are still going to be people who are too crazy, stupid, physically challenged, etc... so perhaps there should be something to help them out. And in that, perhaps either charity or a central program could in fact fill the bill. Keep in mind that with UBI the demand for this will be way way way down as so many more people will be empowered. And yes. UBI (in the US) could be funded by transferring the vast, vast, vast majority (if not all) of welfare spending into the UBI (IRS-managed) system, the taxing of negative externalities (a nice debate to ensue and expected), and perhaps either a closure of some tax loopholes and/or corporate entity types or god forbid, taxes at the top a-la Eisenhower era policy. Oh, social security is ENDED. No need for it. You get a monthly UBI check. (and edit and oversight). ACA is ENDED.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:15:17 +0000
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