Depending on how things go, Boston could soon become fourth city in Massachusetts to introduce Universal Basic Income (UBI). UBI is already being offered on a trial basis to select low-income residents in the cities of Lynn, Cambridge and Chelsea. It also being offered in almost two dozen other U.S. cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Denver and Pittsburgh with more looking into it as well. This is to say nothing of the U.S. state of Alaska paying all permanent residents regardless of income level $2,076 since 1980.
Many of you probably know the idea is the brainchild of Andrew Yang, a former Presidental Candidate and co-founder of The Forward Party. In fact it was his main platform when he ran for president in 2016. Yang proposed basically everyone in America receive at least $2,000 a month regardless of their current income or employment status. He reasoned this was necessary to reverse the income inequality so prevalent in America and lift millions out of poverty at the same time. What’s the catch? There would be none and they would not be told how to use it. It’s entirely up to them.
In places where it’s been piloted, UBI has been a resounding success with many cities now adopting it fully. Not just in Democratic strongholds either on that note. On that last point, conservative communities where it’s been piloted have really warmed up to UBI.
The overwhelming majority of people who received UBI used it to better themselves or their families. Being able to buy a car is very helpful for getting to work. Being able to buy a family computer is helpful. Having the money to pay the internet bill and buy groceries is VERY helpful. These are some of the top ways people who were surveyed said they’ve used the money they received via UBI.
UBI’s proven especially helpful for those who’ve been falling behind on rent or mortage and utility payments. Did you know the average rent in Boston is now almost $3,000 a month? I know it’s over $3,000 a month in San Francisco which by the way has recently become the face of America’s homelessness crisis. A crisis that is for sure going to get worse before it gets better no matter what anyone does.
What do conservatives think of UBI? Knowing the money for the pilot programs is largely sourced from donations and grants, they don’t have a problem with it. In fact most conservatives who were recently polled on UBI think it’s a good idea. Why? Because people are using the extra money from UBI to better themselves. They’re largely buying things or financing things that they actually need. Just like with those pandemic-era stimulus payments from a few years ago. It turns out they don’t hurt the economy but help it.
The business world likes it because it means most people now have cash to make large purchases but it a new car, TV or furniture set. America’s economy is consumer-driven. When the Pandemic shut down the world, many retailers large and small were wiped out. The stimulus payments were a way to encourage people to shop and help rejuvinate the economy.
The supply chain issues from the last two years are getting fixed and as a result we’re starting to see prices that ballooned due to inflation finally starting to come down. With UBI, people are able to finance things they might not have been able to otherwise. Not just consumer goods and services but college courses, a passport and plane tickets. $2,000 will cover the round trip airfare and hotelfare for two weeks in The Philippines on that note.
All that said and in closing. With everything going on in America these days, UBI will go a long way in lifting generations out of poverty. No longer will most Americans be living paycheck to paycheck at the least. For the first time in decades, most people will be able to reliably save money over a long period of time. You know, the same way past generations used to.
Most importantly for those who are low income–especially for those with kids–you’re no longer screwed over by a missed paycheck or some kind of emergency. I know people who lost everything in a fire so…yeah. Having some kind of “bad luck protection” is a pretty nice idea to say the least. Even if you become homeless due to a string of bad circumstances, $500 to $2,000 a month would be enough to cover a hotel room for a few days to a week a month on average.
I’m not saying UBI will make income inequality disappear. What it will do is help people lift themselves out of poverty. In other words, it’s an opportunity people are being given. Although I emphasized its importance for those who are low-income or in poverty up to now , EVERYONE regardless of their income status is eligable for UBI. Otherwise it wouldn’t be “Universal”.
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