Universal basic income will get the poor and young voters to the polls and elect Joe and Kamala.

[Imallin4Joe]

Kamala Harris has hinted at supporting making the $1200 stimulus check a monthly thing. My details are kind of sketchy. But based on articles I've read, it sounded to me like she supports making it a permanent thing at least for awhile, what that means is up in the air.

But at least she's talking about it.

Kamala is on to something here.

The need for a universal basic income has become glaringly clear in this pandemic.

It can save our country from economic collapse.

It can help our people weather the storm.

I believe Joe would support Kamala's idea as well.

To Joe and Kamala, champion this. Campaign on it and we will elect you.

Take it to the bank.

Peace.

[mvd]

1. I support it, as long as it is not the RW version

But after how Repukes have sat on their hands for months with no new aid, that alone should get them to the polls.

[Nexus2]

7. RW version?

[mvd]

17. Right wing version

Some right wingers want to give out a paltry UBI and then take away the protections that people rely on now.

[Freethinker65]

2. Nope. it will scare some independents away tho.

Some guaranteed income to get through the pandemic and a moratorium on evictions is necessary. Getting money into the economy in crucial... explain Democrats want to get more to the people, whereas the GOP wants to get more to the corporations (and stock market) by keeping loans artificially low (free money for investment). In reality it probably needs to be a mix of both?
Universal income will easily be defined by Republicans as lazy Americans taking money from working Americans. American voters are already leery of Universal healthcare and that should have been a no brainer.

[mvd]

3. I disagree. They cast everything we do as socialist

We need to defend the good things and not run away. And the polls have shown movement to the progressive side on health care.

[Freethinker65]

6. Get the Presidency. Possibly the Senate. And expand the House.

The Biden-Harris platform is a very good start. Being President of all of the People, and not just the political base, is how they are choosing to run and what they believe they can get through Congress. Democrats nominated Biden, and the polls are in Biden's favor.

As for healthcare, a Medicare buy-in is possible, Universal Healthcare will have to wait.

[mvd]

16. I don't disagree that it is a start

We should still be talking about these progressive issues though, even if the candidates don’t themselves. Because with Biden we at least have an ear, and with Trump we do not.

[redstateblues]

4. That's not a winning issue in the GE

[LexVegas]

5. It sure helped Yang a lot. nt

[MineralMan]

8. That is not a winning message in a Presidential race.

Not at all. It's a great idea, but it has limited appeal to voters.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

9. Do you have

a link where it says Kamala has supported making this a monthly thing ? It doesn't sound something that Kamala would say.

[honest.abe]

10. No. It will do the opposite.

Last edited Tue Aug 25, 2020, 12:53 PM - Edit history (1)

[DFW]

11. To sell this to the voters

You have to tell them that the Treasury needs $180 Billion a month for 150 million Americans. That's $2.16 Trillion a year. The whole Federal budget was $4.79 Trillion in 2020. Whatever the USA was up to, we could now only afford a little over half of it due to this program. I suppose we could always try to invade and enslave China for free, but I don't give that much chance of success. Even dismantling the whole Defense Department wouldn't come close to paying for it, although we would get a nice thank you note from Putin. I just don't see how we can afford to do this on a universal basis. Proven need is one thing. Universal distribution is another.

[Squidly]

12. start taxing the 1% like they should be taxed

would solve a lot of our problems

[DFW]

18. Very few actually

Pretend it’s 1942 and Enteignung is in full swing. Confiscate 100% of the net worth of Bill Gates and distribute it to every man, woman and child in the USA. That would net them all about $400 apiece—once. What about next week? Playing Robin Hood isn’t going to solve the mess we’re in this time. The problem is far more complicated. The proportions no longer permit simple solutions.

[mvd]

20. Not the only solution, but part of it

The wealthiest have had their wealth go up even during the pandemic. They should definitely be taxed more. Other ideas are a stock transaction tax and corporate tax increase (some corporations pay $0) and reducing defense spending. Now providing a comfortable living via UBI would probably crash the economy. But a more modest amount along with current social safety net provisions like food stamps, Medicare and Social Security is doable.

[Baked Potato]

13. America won't do it until forced through total collapse.

[SlogginThroughIt]

14. Terrible idea to run on

[pwb]

15. Red state young people would love legal Marijuana?

The only way that will happen for them is Nationally. Legal pot may bring the young to the polls too. That could turn the whole south blue?

[grantcart]

19. No for the simple reason that people really don't want a handout they want a job

Fortunately Biden is the person who understands more than anyone that a job is more than disposable income.

Beyond that there is zero evidence that any income redistribution issues ever turns out higher voter participation in lower income voters.

For four decades WA State voters have had multiple referendums to allow an income tax for higher income, including one funded by the Gates family that would only target individuals making more than $ 1 million income a year. Not only have all of these been lost by a landslide they were defeated by large margins in poorer neighborhoods and resulted in no significant increase in lower income voter turnout.

Poor people want a life with dignity and that means a job that had purpose and pays well not a check in the mail.

[brooklynite]

21. How did Andrew Yang do?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

22. I am very much in favor of a UBI.

So long as it's not used to replace Social Security. I happen to get more than $1200/month on SS.