The Case for a Universal Basic Income

pt. UNE

These are tough times. Politically, socially, and economically. I cannot think of any other point in my lifetime that the state of this country is less stable for the first time since the Great Depression, the younger generation is unlikely to exceed their parents in job security, financial security, homeownership. For the youth of today, the future looks chaotic, uncertain, and prospects bleak, which contributes to the rising mental health issues. But as depressing as that is, the state of our economy is no surprise. After all, how does late-stage Capitalism usually end?

This great nation was founded by wealthy planters. The elites then, like the elites now, control almost everything. The beauty of the US when people first began immigrating here was that IT REALLY WAS the land of opportunity for non-Africans and non-Native Americans. With no official nobility, everyone was, for the most part, starting on equal footing: new crops, new animals, new foods, lands, oil, and gold to name a few, and there seemed to be an abundance of everything. Because of the vast resources, including the US government gifting settlers' land taken from Native tribes, we saw 150 consistent years of potential for upward mobility — each generation having more opportunity than the last — until, the stock market crash of 1929. Capitalism peaked, and most physical resources were deleted and our capitalist system reached its inevitable conclusion — it imploded.

With record hunger, homelessness, illness, poverty, life became a struggle to survive and there is only so long that the population will tolerate being hungry, cold, homeless before they lose hope. Once hope is lost, they become angry, desperate, and then turn on those who still have homes, food, clothes; those who are watching them struggle, yet doing nothing to help them, usually the elite.

Fortunately for us all, we had the perfect leadership. Born into extreme wealth and privilege, he understood basic human nature and never seemed to lack empathy. He implemented programs beneficial for the greater good. Put our tax dollars towards us, and by doing so created jobs, economic stability, new waves of opportunity, and peace of mind. Now that life was more than just a neverending struggle to survive, the youth to spend their time tapping into their creativity and strive to reach their potential.

And I think some of the upper class believe that poor people never reaching their potential is no big deal. But it IS. Because we all live in this society, this country together. What effects the country, affects all Americans, directly and/OR INDIRECTLY. Any United States Economic crisis affects us all. Even if you own a chain of successful stores, if no one can buy anything, you’re affected. If your housekeeper can’t find childcare or a ride to work, you’re affected. If postal workers can’t effectively navigate their routes, you are affected. If the gas station with the Benedryl your child needs for an allergic reaction they’re having at night isn’t open due to the station's unwillingness to pay overtime, IT EFFECTS YOU.

A real-life example is the atomic bomb. The US developed the technology first. Most of the creators were not privileged elites. They were regular people whose families were comfortable enough for them to pursue their academic potential (something you can’t do when you’re struggling to eat and find shelter from the cold)

I honestly don’t believe it would be possible to pull these brilliant minds together today. There are so many minds and ideas, untapped potential rotting away in jails or stunted by poverty. The state we find ourselves in today is UNSUSTAINABLE for any world-leading country. BUT. Thankfully, there is still a solution. For Now.

Part 2 will address Universal Basic Income and the philosophy behind it.