Why one man {Andy Stern} thinks the US Gov should pay citizens $1,000 a month

[GoldenEagle]

Are you in favor of Universal Basic Income in the U.S.? Why or why not?

Note: There's 126 government programs (WIC, Unemployment Insurance, etc.) in the U.S. today...
 

Quote:

Why one man {Andy Stern} thinks the US government should pay citizens $1,000 a month One former union boss has a bold idea on how to ensure economic stability in the U.S. — give every citizen $1,000 a month. While the idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) is not necessarily a new one, Andy Stern believes his plan is important now because of "tectonic shifts" in the labor market that will see more and more workers replaced by robots. "In order to make sure that everyone has a floor — something they can't fall below, that we end poverty once and for all — let's give everyone a check," the former president of the Service Employees International Union said in a recent interview with CNBC's "Power Lunch." Income inequality continues to be one of the urgent topics in the public discourse. There were 46.7 million people living in poverty in 2014, according to the latest data from U.S. Census Bureau. The poverty threshold was $12,331 a year for an individual under 65 and $15,871 for a two-adult household during that time. Still, there is wide disagreement about how to alleviate poverty, whether the government should redistribute income to address it — or whether it's really a problem in the first place. Economists at the libertarian think tank Cato Institute recently argued that the income gap was being 'misperceived" by a range of factors that are being misinterpreted by the public. Yet Stern, who is a senior fellow at Columbia University and author of "Raising the Floor," argues the debate is being shifted by concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence and the displacement of workers. The World Economic Forum projects more than 5 million jobs in 15 leading countries will be lost by 2020, thanks to disruptive labor market changes, including the increased use of robots. Additionally, according to a 2013 Oxford study, 47 percent of U.S. jobs were at risk of being automated in the next two decades. "A tsunami of change may be coming and we would be crazy to not look at the warning signs and figure out a plan," said Stern. "I'm not betting my kids life that this time is going to be the same as ever before. I'm not sure that's true." However, critics have called UBI a "terrible idea" that would wither the U.S. social fabric by tying Americans to the government. The idea was also rejected in Switzerland earlier this month, when voters decided against a basic income plan. It was the first country to hold a referendum on the issue, but others including Finland are examining similar plans. Stern, however, is undeterred, and has an answer for those who are concerned about the cost to the government. He would cut some of the government's 126 programs that already pay out cash. However, he suggests Social Security should remain intact. "I'm not saying we end all of them but certainly a lot of them. That's the basis of how we can fund this kind of program," he said. "We're going to have to change the welfare system going forward." — CNBC's Kerima Greene contributed to this report.

[Running Gator]

That is a terrible idea.  Why give people like me $1000 a month when I have no need whatsoever for it?  Does Bill Gates or Donald Trump need $1000 a month? 

[ayin jade]

So take 10,000 from me and give me back 1000. Meanwhile my other 9000 goes to people who dont work. In the name of social equality. Just more socialism and a really bad idea.

[The_Patriot21]

Why don't they just drop my taxes 1000 bucks....same end result on my end....

[Running Gator]

9 minutes ago, The_Patriot2016 said:

Why don't they just drop my taxes 1000 bucks....same end result on my end....

because a great many people do not even pay that much in taxes

[SavedByGrace1981]

Not a big deal, really.

At the rate we're going, in a few years we'll be lucky if $1000 will buy a loaf of bread.

No point in getting all bent out of shape over a loaf of bread.  

[Running Gator]

11 minutes ago, SavedByGrace1981 said:

Not a big deal, really.

At the rate we're going, in a few years we'll be lucky if $1000 will buy a loaf of bread.

No point in getting all bent out of shape over a loaf of bread.  

Oh now, things are not that bad. 

[GoldenEagle]

I think this whole idea is a bit crazy. Here's why:

1. I imagine more than a few women will have more children just to get the extra $1K/mo. Don't you think?

2. What about children who's divorced parents have dual custody? Do they each get $500?

3. Yet more potential assets for divorced couple to fight over. Should be messy?

4. How are homeless people factored into the equation?

5. Immigrants rights groups will demand it for illegal aliens right?

6. What specifically is he going to cut?

7. 320 million people * $1,000 / month * 12 months / year is... $3.84 trillion dollars. That's more than the whole 2015 Federal budget. Not sustainable right?

God bless,

GE

[The_Patriot21]

2 hours ago, Out of the Shadows said:

because a great many people do not even pay that much in taxes

Most that don't are already on government assistance....

[Running Gator]

2 minutes ago, The_Patriot2016 said:

Most that don't are already on government assistance....

Actually I would bet 3/4 of the country does not pay $1000 a month.