patrick.net

It makes sense only if we eliminate all other government income: social security, unemployment, welfare, etc.

Are we willing to do that?

Patrick says

Are we willing to do that?

Gentle Reader,

It is fast getting to the point that we have no choice. See, what used to be good jobs at good wages no longer exist. Employers are not willing to pay someone to work anymore. I've recently read where a roofer wanted to pay workers $17k/year with no benefits at all. This business woman was completely mystified as to why no one wanted to work for that money not even the Mexicans. Mexican immigrants seem to be willing to do anything that will make them money. It's an admirable trait, BTW. I'm truly impressed!

Think about it. Tough, dirty, hot, dangerous work for $1200/month? The poverty line for a family of four is $25k or so.

So, yes. Eliminate all of that other stuff. It really doesn't work nor are there incentives for making more income if the opportunity should arise. I haven't had a raise AND had my outside opportunities for income reduced over the last 5 years or so. Not good

Regards,
Roidy

The problem, imho, is that Democrats have abandoned their job of representing workers, with the result that the very richest have run away with all the productivity gains:

Identity politics is the scourge that they used to distract us and divide us so we don't ask who ran away with the ball.

Patrick says

It makes sense only if we eliminate all other government income: social security, unemployment, welfare, etc.

Are we willing to do that?

Won't work. You will still need food stamps and other safety net items cause well....people gonna people. There will still be a sizable minority that will blow their wad immediately and still in need of food, shelter, etc.

Fucking White Male says

There will still be a sizable minority that will blow their wad immediately and still in need of food, shelter, e

So let them get jobs or starve!
But think of the children! You say.
So take their kids and put them in the system. It'll free up mom or dad to get jobs and get busy being productive. And give them incentive to do better so they get their kids back, while keeping children safe from the ravages of poverty.

That's how crack houses are born...

Quigley says

So take their kids and put them in the system. It'll free up mom or dad to get jobs and get busy being productive.

I'm in favor of basic services (drugs, medical care, shelter and food.) The bottom rung of Maslow's hierarchy, if you will. But Income? As in direct cash payments? No.
Australia found out their welfare cards were being used for buying booze and whatever, so they restricted to recipients to 80% of purchases must be for socially acceptable stuff. Oh, the howling that ensued!!
In the USA, we have similar cards or programs in place, with similar restrictions. The users always find a way around the system. Food stamp fraud is rampant, for example.

Neal Stephenson's "The Diamond Age" has an interesting vision of the future where basic stuff can be obtained free at "printing stations" everywhere. Good read.

Fucking White Male says

There will still be a sizable minority that will blow their wad immediately and still in need of food, shelter, etc.

Which still proves its the people themselves and not the lack of money that causes poverty:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2517550/Powerball-winner-David-Lee-Edwards-dies-penniless-12-years-scored-27million-jackpot.html

Income and wealth inequality is the #1 most pressing problem facing America if not the world. It will bring disaster in one form or another. The solution?

"Veinte Cinco!" The illegals hanging out around Home Depot in Santa Cruz won't take Veinte an hour any more.

Fucking White Male says

....people gonna people.

Love this. Unfortunately as you mentioned, still need food stamps and other services. Government gonna government... And we know how that ends most the time.

Fucking White Male says

safety net items

This is a term I hate (not saying you like it). There's got to be another word or phrase for it. How is it a safety net if when the trapeze artist lands in it, and then they just chew through the fucking net and keep falling? At some point running out of nets might be a viable option. And touchy, feely people, please don't respond to this. You can't fix ALL stupid, otherwise you become part of the stupid in the process of trying to fix ALL of it.