"Im always concerned about, more than anything else, the waste of human potential. ... So much intelligence is wasted from poverty. People who simply dont have the time, the space to use their imaginations. They cant be creative, because to be creative requires that, for a little while at least, you let go of the basic concerns of staying alive—you cant really be creative if survival is the primary topic on your mind. And so Ive been thinking about that for a long time, thinking how do we utilize the cumulative intelligence and creativity of people? And recently I heard of ... a very simple idea, ... which is: give everyone some money every week. No matter how rich they are, how poor they are, just make sure that theres a basic income level beyond which people dont fall. ... I like the idea that it says we believe that all people are potentially creative and that they should be given the chance to express that."
Universal basic income (UBI) is a social welfare proposal in which all members of a given population regularly receive a minimum income in the form of an unconditional transfer payment, i.e., without a means test or need to perform work. In contrast, a guaranteed minimum income (GMI) is paid only to those who do not already receive an income that is enough to live on. A UBI would be received indep
"When the production process demands less work and distributes less and less wages, it gradually becomes obvious that the right to an income can no longer be reserved for those who have a job; nor, most importantly, can the level of incomes be made to depend on the quantity of work furnished by each person. Hence the idea of guaranteeing an income to every citizen which is not linked to work, or the quantity of work done."
Basic income"With a basic income, more people can choose for themselves whether to work full-time or part-time, making their own tradeoffs between more money and more leisure."
Basic income"If you can provide a mechanism where anybody can try any commercial idea without risking becoming homeless and indebted, more people will innovate and take risks."
Basic income"The State ... should not stifle incentive, opportunity, responsibility; in establishing a national minimum, it should leave room and encouragement for voluntary action by each individual to provide more than that minimum for himself and his family."
Basic income"In general, I favor some form of a guaranteed income. I think were gonna have to move in that direction ultimately, I dont think theres going to be any other choice."
Basic income"Jobs for every American" is doomed to failure because of modern automation and production. We ought to recognize it and create an income-maintenance system so every single American has the dignity and the wherewithal for shelter, basic food, and medical care. I’m talking about welfare for all."
Basic income