Changing My Mind on UBI

a day ago

The author initially changed their position on Universal Basic Income (UBI) after receiving an email discussing its premise.
UBI is argued to cover basic human rights, with the idea that prices would adjust based on supply and demand.
Criticism includes the notion that 'basic human rights' like food imply a right to steal from producers.
The author and the email sender agree that UBI would lead to price increases, prompting people to produce goods like eggs themselves.
Skilled producers might create surpluses, leading to trade challenges with UBI dollars due to inflation.
A hypothetical underground gold economy emerges as a more efficient alternative to UBI dollars.
The gold economy outcompetes UBI dollars, rendering them nearly worthless except for tax payments.
The author reflects on government spending, noting increases despite promises of cuts, especially in entitlement programs.
Mandatory spending, like Social Security and Medicare, is criticized as untouchable despite its large share of the budget.
The author sarcastically endorses UBI as a way to devalue entitlement payouts with 'fake worthless money', seeing it as the only way to eliminate such programs.

Hasty Briefsbeta