Give People Money

Give People Money

Adult nonfiction
"What I came to believe is this: An UBI is as much an ethos as
it is a technocratic policy proposal. It contains within it the
principles of universality, unconditionality, inclusion, and
simplicity, and it insists that every person is deserving of
participation in the economy, freedom of choice, and a life without
deprivation. Our governments can and should choose to provide those
things, whether through a $1,000 stipend or not."
In case you haven't heard of it, a UBI is a Universal Basic
Income. Under such a system, each participant would receive a check
every month. You may be wondering why try something so radical.
Annie Lowrey has researched the issue extensively. She discussed it
eloquently in Give People Money.
So what would a UBI do?
For one thing it would end the devastating poverty found not
just in third world countries, but right here in the United States.
In the richest nation in the world over a million child containing
households must try to meet their needs on $2 per person per day. Try
to imagine you and yours surviving on that. No wonder we have
families living in cars and children going to bed hungry! A UBI would
help make sure families at least have roofs over their heads and food
on their tables.
It would require exploitative employers to shape up. Between
Clinton changing an entitlement (welfare) into a time limited benefit
and outsourcing and automation doing away with many decent jobs, there
are a lot of desperate people who big businesses with obscenely rich
CEOs can exploit. Ridiculously low wages? Abusive work conditions?
Unpredictable schedules? That's no way to make people live. I will
be dancing on the street when so many people can afford to say no to
WalMart and other such companies they have to offer decent wages and
working conditions to attract emloyees.
And there's so much more that even goes beyond the money
aspect. If you've stuck with this review so far, please put it down
and head for your local library or bookstore to pick up the book
itself. Lowrey explains the whole concept much better than I can.
On a personal note, we had a great Fathers Day. Eugene took me out to
Burger King for breakfast. Then we drove around checking out flea
markets. I really lucked out at one, finding FOUR adorable cat
shirts. Amber and Brian had the dinner at their house--burgers,
fries, and ice cream. Adam joined us. A great time was had by all.
A great big shout out goes out to my family including the best little
cat in the world.
jules hathaway


Sent from my iPod