Ontario is undertaking one of the biggest Universal Basic Income trials.
In response to forecasts that large percentages of people are going to be automated out of jobs, many are turning to the idea of Universal Basic Income as the solution.
Ontario is the latest institution to embark upon a trial. Using $150M, 4,000 recipients will the income in 2 cities. The money is unconditional regardless of work status.
Each trial is crucial in accumulating data to negates many of the misconceptions that exist about the poor and unemployed.
Cases in point:
People often think that Universal Basic Income will lead to people lounging around doing nothing.
Studies show UBI increases labour activity among the unemployed.
The reality is people often go to school or attend training programs to enhance their skills.
It can also provide low-income people with the financial security to quit low-paying, unfulfilling jobs and seek retraining, a better job or launch a small business.
There is also a mindset that poor people are so because they are lazy and stupid.
“Poverty is fundamentally about as lack of cash. It’s not about stupidity …You can’t pull yourself up by your bootstraps if you have no boots.”
http://lfpress.com/opinion/columnists/warren-is-universal-basic-income-the-future
We know there are some legitimate issues when discussing Universal Basic Income. The challenge is there really cannot be a serious debate while so many hold onto these prejudicial beliefs. The reality is that generational poverty is mostly due to geography. It is not laziness, stupidity, or substance abuse that causes this issue. The fact that one is born in Laos or El Salvador has more to do with it.
One of the biggest components to the Universal Basic Income discussion is how to pay for it. Governments of the world are struggling as it is. Will UBI increase spending or actually decrease the expenditures through reduced administrative, lower healthcare, and reduced incarceration costs? That is the scope for another discussion.
We feel Manna answers this by not getting into the discussion. Our program leaves the politics aside since tax dollars are not involved. By opting to implement a Universal Basic Income program utilizing cryptocurrency we forego any interest in the political debate. Our single goal is to get money in the hands those who need it the most.
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