Inside Story - Should governments provide a minimum wage for everyone?

[@ScamallDorcha]

I really regret the poor way in which the pro Universal Basic Income advocate argued his case, being for UBA myself I think that he should have focused less on the rosey philosophical arguments and instead argued on the practical aspects of it, and the practical effects that it would have, such as facilitated a shorter workweek, boosted worked pay, increase worker's leverage in the workplace, as well as allow artists to make the art that they want without having to worry about having to somehow make a living off of it, I think that UBI could jump start a new renaissance.

[@woodworksfactory9591]

Yes for basic income for everyone

[@scorp10fl53]

Well put and I agree that some careers are very slow, if at all, to earn a decent living. I have a hobby, well... now it's a hobby, in watercolour and photography. I investigated the possibilities of being self employed in the arts. Very disappointing stats. Had to find full-time employment to support a young family. Dampened my enthusiasm in the arts for a while. Now its my hobby.

[@wretchedwringer]

show me the money~no free lunch. Don't ask the state to point the guns at the earners to pay for the freeloaders. That is the worst form of statism.

[@colinvanful]

they already do that that's why you pay taxes !

[@iDimOS72]

Sorry,by freeloaders you mean Banksters,McDonalds(which depends on State(!) to complete their lousy pay to workers),or those trilions went for unending,pointless wars?

[@jesuslovesme2533]

The Swiss voters are smarter than I thought.

[@neuralkernel]

Universal Income is essentially the same as Universal Suffrage.

[@354133]

Cashless society coming soon. Once technology is in place.

[@RosannaMiller]

Screw that! Look into Social Security and how they failed and you'll understand why I say this.

[@StygianBeach]

Combined with certain import taxes this would create so much opportunity for small and medium business. Imagine if all the people on your street have buying power. You could sell a product or service and your peers could buy it based on its merits and not only on what they can afford. In a small self contained unit like Switzerland it could work well.

[@kweiti07]

and who pays for all of this!!!

[@KriegerT]

easy. the system in switzerland replaces all state welfare.

[@SaltVinegar2010]

The same way a military is paid for. Taxes.

[@RichardShorten]

$2200.00/mth and TAX back surpluses at normal rates.

[@scorp10fl53]

How about this hypothesis. If you've noticed there have been a few countries talking guaranteed annual or monthly income, right? So ...doesn't that concept work it's way towards complete indenturement to the government. Your cheque becomes dependent on working for them. I mean it's a long way off but the scenario is building that way. You can see it can't you? The austerity programs, clashes in egypt and protests in the US. Over money and exactly how much of it should be yours after taxes, bail-ins and over spending. This is Orwell to a 'T'. It's not called welfare anymore its new and improved. Re-labelled, as it were. Introducing, [GMI] Guaranteed Monthly Income. Same candybar but with a different wrapper. And why shouldn't 'I' receive this GMI, should it come to fruition?... So, I make 65g's per year?... I pay a fair share of taxes! Aren't my efforts entitled to a little reward? No...because they need me to help pay for it through taxation.

[@colinvanful]

but what happens if your 65g job vanishes ? and you become too ill to work, shuerly then you would expect a system that allows you an unconditional basic income ,rather than having to fight for state benifits ?

[@StygianBeach]

Orwell was a socialist though, so I think he would approve. If the basic income is universal you would not need a big government to supervise it. In the same way a flat tax rate is the most efficient (not the most fair) way to tax citizens. Also, the government would not have the right to withhold citizens money like it does with 'need' based testing. I think this could work well in small countries, big countries on the other hand I am not so sure.

[@iDimOS72]

The state is ours,i don't get this.You prefer be depentent on your boss?

[@scorp10fl53]

Dimitris Ntafalias I would prefer if the prolatariat had more control of production and less feudal lords. More say in the running of the business and more share in the profit. It would generate more employment and raise the standard of living. I like the philosophies of K. Marx, N. Chomsky and R. Wolffe.

[@scorp10fl53]

colinvanful I don't know if a guaranteed monthly income would apply to all or just a range of people. It would be nice if it did. If I loose that annual salary...indeed I would be grateful to have support but I'm sure it wouldn't be topping me back up to 65gs. Just knowing some assistance is available whatever the situation is a relief in itself.

[@dessanaira]

Italy and Spain are in favor of the measure, but they are both going bankrupt... I agree with helping the poor. But giving them enough money to live comfortably is not going to help. It's just going to attract people who are tired of working.

[@iDimOS72]

This is not work today.It's paid slavery.I wouldn't mind having my basic problems solved and put aside,i will be creative,which is hard today,as i'm striving with everyday problems.I clearly don't agree with this lady or you.All those poor and homeless families would have something to help them.There is enough money for each and everyone.

[@randalaltemus6691]

Survival or success will always be the responsibility of the individual. When there is not enough food some people will starve. It has always been that way and always will be. No system can change that. Those seeking the minimum or not able to do better will always get the minimum. During the French Revolution some people staved, others lost their heads. The best that government leaders can do is to show the productive people of it's society that it is being given a fair shake. In the USA they have not been doing that and that is why we are seeing such a political and social upheaval.

[@SaltVinegar2010]

What a crock of BS.

[@randalaltemus6691]

I know, the truth hurts. Go fill up you bowl and get back in your dream world. At least with statements like that you can be comforted that you probably won't be one to lose your head. You can sit there, wait for a hand out and starve.

[@SaltVinegar2010]

Randal Altemus Every single person on this planet depends on someone else for survival. You get sick, you go to a doctor to help you. You travel to another country? You depend on an airline that someone else built. The device you using to watch this video was all built by 1000's of other people. Go live on your deserted island & stake your independance LOL

[@SaltVinegar2010]

Randal Altemus If you have used open source software then your benefitting from others. You have access to all the world's knowledge now from others hard work. Don't take any antibiotics for an infection because it's your responsibility to heal yourself. You can't even grasp how interconnected everything is.......Bozo.

[@randalaltemus6691]

Yes, I have used open source code and I have also given to the public domain. Interesting that you bring up responsibility. Yes, that is something that all people need to take seriously. That is exactly my point! Are you a responsible person that contributes?

[@jerrybear3081]

we are not robots, which is the problem. robots are productive and useful. if you cant compete with robots learn to build and repair robots in order. we cant inflate people out of poverty