If we replace welfare and all means-tested programs with UBI, we would come out ahead.
The politicians would never do it. And that cuts bureaucrats out of the loop.
For different reasons, its anathema to nearly every one.
Yeah. That would be just fine with me if we make that trade.
CONSERVATIVES: “We are willing to do away with all welfare and means tested programs, and exchange it instead with a Universal Basic Income that is given to people to do with as they wish.”
LIBERALS: “Great! We accept, get rid of welfare, WIC, Obamaphones, Section 8 housing, etc. We’re on board with this! You just watch how this improves things.
(next legislative session)
LIBERALS: “The Universal Basic Income endeavor has worked wonders, everyone loves it, even with no Welfare, WIC, etc. But there are problems. We have people who can’t get the food they used to get with WIC, even with the UBI, and that is a problem. They used to be able to get lobster and sirloin steak, but now they can’t afford those things, and they see rich people buying those things and they feel discriminated against. Also, since they can’t have the government supplied cell phone, they can’t pay for a standard plan that includes unlimited texting AND pay for cable television too. This is viewed as discriminatory, and there have already been protests about it. To alleviate this, we propose to either raise the UBI by another $1000, or implement a new program (eligible only to certain people who can’t make it on $1000 a month) that provides certain government approved goods and services...”
CONSERVATIVES: But wait-you promised us this would replace all means tested programs like those you proffer, and you also agreed to only have COLA increases in the UBI! We...”
LIBERALS: “See, this is why people think you are all racist...”
(Legislation to increase UBI AND programs to supplement UBI pass in next cycle)
Lather.
Rinse.
Repeat.