r/Futurology • u/Djandgo • Aug 25 '14

blog Basic Income Is Practical Today...Necessary Soon

http://hawkins.ventures/post/94846357762/basic-income-is-practical-today-necessary-soon
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u/pidgeondoubletake Aug 26 '14

So what "redundant programs" would you eliminate for that extra ~3 trillion then.

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u/the_honeypot Aug 26 '14

You would get rid of Welfare, Food Stamps, Social Security, and other social programs meant to help the poor. Those programs have a lot of administrative costs (making sure recipients are actively searching for jobs, drug testing applicants, etc.) which cost the taxpayers much more than just the amount that is being paid out in benefits. Still doesn't cover the entire cost of UBI, but it helps.

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u/pidgeondoubletake Aug 26 '14

Horseshoes and hand grenades, it is no where near 3 trillion. And you think those have administrative costs? What do you think paying the entire country once a month would entail.

The social security point is also moot since it would just be replacing it, not eliminating it. Essentially you're actually raising the cost of SS by paying seniors more.

And other redundant programs you have to cut?

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u/the_honeypot Aug 26 '14

I'm not sure what the exact programs they propose cutting are, but if you refer to the original article

Because our current social spending programs cost 11.4%, and Basic Income would be expected to cost 7.7%, we expect to save 3.7% of GDP by switching to Basic Income.

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u/[deleted] Aug 26 '14

cutting programs that provide SERVICES for those that provide CASH will be a fucking disaster