Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 the idea of UBI (universal basic income) seemed like a libertarian fantasy. Although the concept has been studied in smaller pilot programs (most notably in Finland), the subsequent government mandated shutdowns and economic fallout has prompted many wealthy countries to take the unprecedented step of replacing income of private citizens through direct transfers. In short order the UBI concept went from an intangible dream to the de facto government policy for several countries. In the U.S. this has mostly come in the form of the one-time $1,200 checks and additional unemployment insurance. This spending (along with other stimulus programs) has blown a gaping hole in the US balance sheet with the federal government spending nearly
How the United States Can Pay for UBI
How the United States Can Pay for UBI
How the United States Can Pay for UBI
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 the idea of UBI (universal basic income) seemed like a libertarian fantasy. Although the concept has been studied in smaller pilot programs (most notably in Finland), the subsequent government mandated shutdowns and economic fallout has prompted many wealthy countries to take the unprecedented step of replacing income of private citizens through direct transfers. In short order the UBI concept went from an intangible dream to the de facto government policy for several countries. In the U.S. this has mostly come in the form of the one-time $1,200 checks and additional unemployment insurance. This spending (along with other stimulus programs) has blown a gaping hole in the US balance sheet with the federal government spending nearly