Comment on Being poor is expensive
Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 3 weeks agoMinimum wage isn’t going to cut it anymore. We need UBI.
Democracy is the idea that political authority is derived from the people. The government’s power to levy taxes and conduct its business is taken from We The People; We The People should be fairly compensated for the use of that power. We should each be paid a citizenship dividend of 75% of the current poverty level, before we put a single hour on the clock.
explodicle@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Below current poverty levels? We’ve already got the technology to provide for everyone according to their needs.
Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 3 weeks ago
Current Poverty line for a single person is $16000. $12000 is 75% of the current single-person household. $12,000/yr, free and clear, before you leave for work on Monday morning. You’re above the poverty line by noon on Monday.
You and your partner are both receiving the same UBI. Together, you’re receiving $24000/yr. That’s 110% of the current poverty rate for a household of two. You’re above the line just from your UBI.
For you, your partner, and your two kids, that’s $48000/yr. That’s 145% of the poverty line for a household of 4.
Does that still seem unreasonable? I’d be ecstatic over 25%.
explodicle@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
That still feels awfully low.
Even getting a single dollar each year would be nicer than the zero I get now, but I’d rather get fully reimbursed for letting people monopolize my share of the earth. They have no right to claim that for themselves in the first place.
Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 2 weeks ago
If UBI was intended to be the single, primary source of income, I’d agree that it is too low. But it isn’t. The economic purpose is, basically, to remove human need and desperation from contract negotiations and labor agreements.
It’s easy to exploit a drowning man. UBI is intended to keep your head above water, so you can always afford to walk away from a shitty boss.