Unlike you, I believe people know what to do with their money than any bureaucrat.
A $20,000 basic income would decouple income from work but then the rich already live that way and with a job based economy disappearing, it may be a practical solution to a world where jobs are being replaced by off-shoring and automation.
People will still want to work but not for a living but simply to contribute something to society. Ironically enough, that brings Karl Marx’s famous vision of the free person in a Communist society into realization - all without the oppressive hand of central planning or wealth redistribution.
I wish.
I hear the results of 3+ generations of welfare from my Saintly Spouse who teaches their children.
I KNOW they would completely blow the cash within days of receiving it.
Then what?
The unfortunate situation is that doling out the money via Section 8 Housing, Medicaid, etc. is that the roof and doctoring will actually be paid for, rather that go straight to the casino.
Yes, it IS that bad. The underclass will blow every dime you give them as cash, and we will be left with all the problems we currently fund through a thousand programs.
The problem is not the MECHANISM of payment. Indeed, I project that the proposed new MECHANISM will merely increase total outlays as the effect above takes hold.
The problem is the EXISTENCE of any government sponsored welfare program. If welfare were only a private (church based) enterprise, it would work to get people from learned helplessness and addiction toward productive citizenry.
Allow me to amend your suggestion in a way where we may then agree:
I believe people know what to do with the money THEY EARN better than any bureaucrat.