On: A universal income is not such a silly idea

[johndevor]

I don't think this is a good idea. It could do a lot of harm to future generations. If we pay for this through debt, we're slapping a bill on our children.

I also don't like this idea because it increases personal dependence on the state. If the goal is to make people independent and self-confident, how does this help (on the whole, excluding edge cases)? And as the top commenter said, I think this will move the goal posts and surely cause inflation. I also think this will enable some peoples' destructive habits (how does the song go? "It's the first of the month... Get up, wake up!").

[brazzy → johndevor]

> It could do a lot of harm to future generations.

Or it could do them a lot of good.

> If we pay for this through debt, we're slapping a bill on our children.

That's obviously not the correct way to implement it.

> I also don't like this idea because it increases personal dependence on the state.

It does the opposite, by replacing paternalistic and beaurocratic social security programmes.

> If the goal is to make people independent and self-confident, how does this help (on the whole, excluding edge cases)?

By enabling them to do things like working on art or science or startups without having to worry about starving or homelessness.

> I also think this will enable some peoples' destructive habits

Ah yes, the poor must not be given money lest they spend it on booze. Otherwise they wouldn't be poor. Just world fallacy, anyone?