Transhumanist Zoltan Istvan to run for California Governor/State Funded Basic Income (employment, taxes)

[Dave Coe]

Robert Stark interviews Zoltan Istvan - The Stark Truth With Robert Stark



This California gubernatorial candidate wants state-funded 'universal basic income' for everyone - LA Times

[Lovehound]

We should have a basic state income of $250,000/year. We can fund this from taxes charged people who work those minimum hourly jobs required to be $15/hour.

The poor too should be charged to support a reasonable income for people who want nice lifestyles but aren't willing to work for them.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

We should have a basic state income of $250,000/year. We can fund this from taxes charged people who work those minimum hourly jobs required to be $15/hour.

The poor too should be charged to support a reasonable income for people who want nice lifestyles but aren't willing to work for them.

Your quip shows you don't know anything at all about Basic Income Guarantee. Why not look it up and read about it? Fascinating concept that is increasingly embraced by conservative, liberal, and libertarian economists alike. Quite a trick, eh? In fact, it is paid for not by increasing taxes at all, but by totally eliminating all welfare programs and dividing that budget into equal payments for every citizen of emancipated age. Warren Buffet would get a check every month in the same amount as Joe Sixpack the drunk malingerer. Experiments in Canadian communities and elsewhere internationally demonstrated that employment participation actually increases under the program - which is the opposite of what you infer and what most people assume.

Go ahead. Hit your search engine. Look it up. Then come back and tell us your thoughts.

With AI, robotics, automation rapidly decimating the workforce - leaders in AI estimate the workforce will be reduced by at least 1/3 in less than 20 years (and no, not replaced with new kinds of employment - just that many people permanently out of work) - B.I.G. will be adopted worldwide over the next decades because there is no other solution to maintaining the consumer population.

[Bill the Butcher]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

In fact, it is paid for not by increasing taxes at all, but by totally eliminating all welfare programs and dividing that budget into equal payments for every citizen of emancipated age. Warren Buffet would get a check every month in the same amount as Joe Sixpack the drunk malingerer. .

I still have trouble seeing how basic income would make a difference if everyone gets the same basic income payment.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Bill the Butcher

I still have trouble seeing how basic income would make a difference if everyone gets the same basic income payment.

Yes, because inflation would cancel out any benefit.

[BB_210]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Your quip shows you don't know anything at all about Basic Income Guarantee. Why not look it up and read about it? Fascinating concept that is increasingly embraced by conservative, liberal, and libertarian economists alike. Quite a trick, eh? In fact, it is paid for not by increasing taxes at all, but by totally eliminating all welfare programs and dividing that budget into equal payments for every citizen of emancipated age. Warren Buffet would get a check every month in the same amount as Joe Sixpack the drunk malingerer.

How about we skip the government hand outs and I just keep all the money I worked for.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Your quip shows you don't know anything at all about Basic Income Guarantee.

No, it shows I don't care. My parents taught me that people who want more must work more or work smarter.

Originally Posted by Bill the Butcher

I still have trouble seeing how basic income would make a difference if everyone gets the same basic income payment.

Originally Posted by expatCA

Yes, because inflation would cancel out any benefit.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by max210

How about we skip the government hand outs and I just keep all the money I worked for.

Too simple. That would force people who want free handouts to work instead.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Lovehound

No, it shows I don't care. My parents taught me that people who want more must work more or work smarter.

Exactly!

Too simple. That would force people who want free handouts to work instead.

The last time I was in the UK, my agent spoke of the payments those not working get. This would be similar. The problem is that the cost of living there is higher than here and, checking with my European agent, normal pay is the same as here. Costs more and paid less and overall higher taxes. The money has to come from somewhere. The idea sounds good, a feel good idea, but it does not work that well in practice.

[CCbaxter]

I've really been interested in this lately. As machines take over more jobs, including AI taking over creative types of jobs,
when do we get to the point where there just aren't enough jobs to go around? Do we start limiting births?
Just for those people, I work and always have and see no retirement in my future so don't misconstrue my interest as malingering or wanting your money.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by CCbaxter

I've really been interested in this lately. As machines take over more jobs, including AI taking over creative types of jobs,
when do we get to the point where there just aren't enough jobs to go around? Do we start limiting births?
Just for those people, I work and always have and see no retirement in my future so don't misconstrue my interest as malingering or wanting your money.

It is a problem and no real solution in sight. Machines cost less over time than people, no taxes, medical ins, Workman's Comp, maternal leave, sick days, vacations, etc.

A guaranteed income could work, but the cost would destroy the middle class and leave the rich and the poor. In effect it would be Social Security for everyone and then medical would become an issue? The end result? Kinda like CA is heading now.