Here's why the government should give you $1,000 a month

[passiveporcupine]

19. Thankfully, Obama is proposing a raise in SS to help people out of poverty.

Something that should have happened long ago. Republicans are probably going to prevent anything like this passing though.

I don't think SS should be eliminated or cut for a UBI. SS is earned income you've paid for your whole life, and it reflects your income level and your cost of living at retirement. If everyone had UBI, it would mean the more you make on SS, the better off you will be when you retire, not just barely making it on a UBI. So it will still inspire people to become educated and move up the ladder. Minimum wage also needs to be a rate that is "livable" and not eliminated or cut because of UBI. In other words, MickyD does not get to lower wages because now the employees all have UBI...they still need to pay a livable wage, which will result in those employees getting higher SS benefits when they retire. Especially in a world where low income jobs are becoming the norm for a huge number of our workforce.

UBI should be a buffer so people are not living in poverty because of something like a job loss or health issue or expensive car repair. It should help lower income people afford to educate themselves, or pay for day care so they can work, or anything that helps them avoid the soul-killing effects of poverty.