This response will be addressing Dr. Trost's question about Universal Basic Income. The question reads "If you are generally in favor of a UBI, under what conditions would you no longer consider it?"
One of my biggest questions/concerns about Dr. Trost's proposed UBI is about the children. At this point, the idea is that a child (or family of the child) will ideally be receiving the same amount as anyone else. With that though, comes the possibility that people could have kids for the money. This happens very very frequently in the foster care system and it's a huge issue. However, I think there's only a slight possibility that this could unfold the way the foster care system has because the children would have to be legally theirs (I would assume). I don't think many people would be having children, which are very expensive, in exchange for $9,000 a year. I know it was mentioned several times that the numbers weren't set and the children part was completely adjustable, but I would love to know what that would look like. Would each family get $4,500 per child or do we think the risk of people having children for money is low enough to keep the amounts the same? These are definitely just details that would need to be worked out and then explained, but for me to be on board, I would absolutely need a clear understanding of how this UBI would work on behalf of the children.
My other main hesitation or pressing question in order to keep me from disapproving of this is how the money will be handled at the 18 year old mark. Are the adults/parents going to be required to pay back the money that was given to them on behalf of the child or will the child have to assume responsibility once they are legally an adult? In my opinion, I would think it would be most logical/fair for the family/parents that have been receiving and allotting where that child's money goes to be held responsible for the repayment of this money. Then, when the child does turn 18 and legally becomes an adult, they will become their own borrower and then contributor in this cycle. It was also briefly mentioned that this money could be allocated for schooling/college, so not having "debt" (or a larger amount of money being taken in taxes to pay back the UBI) would be exceptionally beneficial in starting them on the right track for them to be successful as new members of the working economy.