Economist Milton Friedman supported a negative income tax (NIT), which is similar to UBI but scaled to income. (For example, if we set an individual adult income floor of $30,000 per year, those making $0 would receive a $30,000 stipend from the NIT; those making $20,000 would receive a $10,000 stipend; those making $30,000 or more would receive nothing
This is the worst idea ever. Why would low earners even bother working at all? Just sit back and take the 30k.
"UBI would be far simpler and more transparent than the current hodgepodge of more than 100 existing federal and state programs. With overlapping and often contradictory eligibility levels, work requirements, and other restrictions, our existing welfare system is a nightmare of unaccountability," Michael D. Tanner of the libertarian Cato Institute wrote in 2019.
It is a solid point.
(((Milton Friedman))) is an example of a controlled-opposition figure.
He had some great points. However, he also had some horrid points that outweighed the good. Aide from shilling for the UBI, he was the man who created automatic income tax withholding (which he admitted was a mistake, FWIW), and he was such a shameless NAFTA/free-trade shill that he explained that the USA should get rid of all of its tariffs even if all the other countries in the world keep their tariffs on US goods.
Friedman's central philosophy was also screwy: exporting dollars to foreign countries = USA win, because we got their goods and all they got was worthless green paper that we can make more of.
Pretty sure we have decades upon decades of proof that when American dollars leave America, America loses. So Friedman's philosophy = Jewish tricks.
UBI, I've thought, is an option when people can't be economically productive, due to tech. Today, being economically unproductive is being mandated.
Also, from my recollection of watching "free to choose", he stipulates that the welfare state can't work with open boarders.
UBI, I've thought, is an option when people can't be economically productive, due to tech.
I think at some point we might get there.
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