I personally would support UBI (Universal Basic Income) as a TEMPORARY system during this pandemic. You’ve got tons of people who literally just lost their jobs with almost zero possibility of finding new work as long as these bans are in place.
What I worry though is that the longer this stays, the opposition to removing UBI will get greater and greater to the point that it stays permanently. Look at repealing Obama Care, at first every Republican was for totally removing it. Then a few years later it became repeal and REPLACE (still doing healthcare reform). Then that didn’t even happen and now we’re stuck with it.
If we’re going to implement this UBI through legislation, there must be language in the bill that requires that it will end once the pandemic ends and the bans are lifted. Long term UBI combined with the bailouts and existing welfare systems would be completely unsustainable.
That's nice for you, but not realistic for everyone. Most people can do it for part of their working lives (saving 6 months living expenses, not $250K in legal expenses on top of that), but at any given time, a whole lot of people aren't in that part of their lives. Be careful about perching on that high horse. One day you may very well be one of the people that doesn't have enough cash on hand to get through the next month if your income suddenly vanishes.
It is realistic.
It is part of being a responsible human being.
All I hear from you is defeatism. It's about setting your priorities and not being a potential ward of the state.
You either choose to make the sacrifice or you do not. It is a choice.
I am 100% certain, that if you look back over your life, you chose to buy something unnecessary verses save that money. You chose to buy the thing. You chose the gratification of the now over the financial security of the future.
You speak of high horse and assume I've had no struggles. I work in the volatile telecom market. I've closed three start-ups, laid off hundreds, been laid off twice myself. But it was ok. Why? Because I had my savings to fall back upon.
My company is getting hammered right now. You would not believe the stress... but you know what? My children and I will weather this storm, come what may, because I have my savings to fall back upon.
Now, stop wishing ill upon me, put your fucking hand down, and get back to work. I have no more time to waste with this conversation.
calm-até