The idea of a universal basic income (in it's various forms) was fundamental towards making me believe that libertarianism was marketable to the general American population. Anecdotally, when I discuss it with my friends on the left, they also love it and have never, ever heard of it. So questions on this topic:
I have lots of questions but maybe answer one or two that you find most interesting?
Is this idea originally from Hayek? It's in LLL, but was it around before him?
Why do you think Johnson isn't selling this concept? He seems to support it. The idea that you give people money and they buy their own health care, college education, housing, seems to appeal to a wide range of voters.
How would the basic income adapt for people who have more expensive needs? I'm thinking for example, of people who have severe medical issues. The "basic" income wouldn't be sufficient.
Do you think that the idea is actually possible in America? Or would it end up twisted by rent-seeking like everything else?
Obviously, some people will choose not to work with a basic income. Do you think the problem would be worse than under our current welfare system?
rroseannadanna3 karma
The idea of a universal basic income (in it's various forms) was fundamental towards making me believe that libertarianism was marketable to the general American population. Anecdotally, when I discuss it with my friends on the left, they also love it and have never, ever heard of it. So questions on this topic:
I have lots of questions but maybe answer one or two that you find most interesting?
Is this idea originally from Hayek? It's in LLL, but was it around before him?
Why do you think Johnson isn't selling this concept? He seems to support it. The idea that you give people money and they buy their own health care, college education, housing, seems to appeal to a wide range of voters.
How would the basic income adapt for people who have more expensive needs? I'm thinking for example, of people who have severe medical issues. The "basic" income wouldn't be sufficient.
Do you think that the idea is actually possible in America? Or would it end up twisted by rent-seeking like everything else?
Obviously, some people will choose not to work with a basic income. Do you think the problem would be worse than under our current welfare system?
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