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Would Germany be a better place if each citizen received a no-strings-attached government check for $1,100 a month?
Would people still get out of bed each day and go to work or do something else productive even with that unconditional basic income of 1,000 euros, less than half the average German monthly wage, but more than twice what those on welfare receive?
Would Germany be a better place if each citizen received a no-strings-attached government check for $1,100 a month?
Would people still get out of bed each day and go to work or do something else productive even with that unconditional basic income of 1,000 euros, less than half the average German monthly wage, but more than twice what those on welfare receive?
A lot of people wouldn't, especially those at the lower end of the income scale.
Would Germany be a better place if each citizen received a no-strings-attached government check for $1,100 a month?
Would people still get out of bed each day and go to work or do something else productive even with that unconditional basic income of 1,000 euros, less than half the average German monthly wage, but more than twice what those on welfare receive?
Of course I would.come out ahead. An extra $1,100 per month would allow me to spend $200 more for housing, which would in turn allow me to get rid of my rented storage unit and consolidate sales inventory at home, with net cost of zero, while increasing sales and profit.
Basic housing is expensive and a poor value for what you get; once you're paying an arm and leg for a roof over your head, you can get much more value for only a few dollars more.
A lot of people wouldn't, especially those at the lower end of the income scale.
Why exactly? Because some would be satisfied with it? Because some would waste it on drugs or booze? Because some might spend it on renting a better apartment or buying a car that they could use to get to a better paying job or even to shop at Walmart instead of the local bodega?
I really get sick and tired of the demonization of poor people as "deserving" to be poor because of their bad habits. That's bull manure that enables those who are better off to justify their opposition to programs that could assist many of the poor, especially the working poor, to better themselves.
From the article it sounds like this is just a crowdfunded experiment, it also says the idea has little to no political support in Germany.
I do think there's something to be said for the Finland model. If I remember correctly Finland is providing a basic income to everyone similar to this, BUT, they're also getting rid of all other benefits. So there'd be no food stamps, no welfare benefits, no unemployment benefits and so on. That eliminates tons of administrative expenses. Almost all of us are getting some form of subsidy, whether it's child tax credits, mortgage interest deductions or full on welfare, so it might make sense to get rid of all the paper work and administrative costs, eliminate all those programs / deductions / credits and just give everyone a direct payment for what they're already getting.
I do think there's something to be said for the Finland model. If I remember correctly Finland is providing a basic income to everyone similar to this, BUT, they're also getting rid of all other benefits. So there'd be no food stamps, no welfare benefits, no unemployment benefits and so on. That eliminates tons of administrative expenses.
Sounds like an interesting plan. Does anyone know how Finland is handing benefits to the mentally disabled? (And by that I mean the severely retarded, the brain-damaged, the demented, or folks with severe cases of illnesses like schizophrenia; in other words, folks whose no-fault mental condition might preclude them from responsibly handling money.) Does the money go to a designated payee who looks after the disabled person's best interests?
I think it is a stupid idea, but if it happens, that would be fine with me. I'm a landlord and if I know that all my tenants were receiving $1,100 every month for doing nothing but breathing, I'd raise all of my rents.
I think it is a stupid idea, but if it happens, that would be fine with me. I'm a landlord and if I know that all my tenants were receiving $1,100 every month for doing nothing but breathing, I'd raise all of my rents.
Until your tenants build up down payment funds and exit the rental market.
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