[econjack]

Finland has become the first country in Europe to pay its unemployed citizens a basic monthly income, amounting to €560 ($587)...to cut government red tape, reduce poverty and boost employment.

'Splain to me how this works, Lucy.

[Olog-hai]

Prevents “job lock” or suchlike. Remember Pelosi using that definitionless Newspeak term?

[unlearner]

From the article: “the selected persons would continue to receive the 560 euros even after receiving a job”

This is an experiment where the money goes to 2000 randomly selected citizens. They keep getting it even if they get a job. Currently many people there and here in the US do not accept work that causes their unemployment benefits to be diminished.

In Texas you can earn a certain amount without losing unemployment benefits, so the money can serve to help someone who is underemployed as well.

The biggest problem with money from the government (after government incompetency) is that it is almost always means-tested.

What would happen if the only qualification for any government benefit is that you are a citizen?

While that alone would not eliminate government waste, it might go a long way.