this post was submitted on 11 Dec 2024
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Hello, I'm not that informed about UBI, but here is my arguement:

Everyone gets some sort of income, but wouldn't companies just subside the income by raising their prices? Also, do you believe capatilism can co-exist with UBI?

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[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 33 points 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (3 children)

I'm a fan of UB I+S. Universal basic income AND universal basic services. Plus ~~hight~~ high taxes for the rich. And workplace democracy. And a massive shift of the economy to the nonprofit sector: if what your ~~company~~ multimillion corporation is providing is a utility, you can't have making a profit be your fiduciary responsibility.

Basically, fuck capitalism, I want socialism.

[–] Buildout@lemmy.world 10 points 6 days ago (1 children)

plus hight taxes for the rich

Nobody should be rich and tall! \s

[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 days ago
[–] DacoTaco@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Though i dont disagree in theory, beware of the utility part you mentioned. A plumber is providing a service and im not sure why he shouldnt make a small profit on top of his ubi in that world of yours. Can you elaborate?

[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I'm thinking more of the "commanding heights of the economy", rather than small time professionals. So, I'm talking Amazon, Google, Walmart, that stuff.

[–] DacoTaco@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I know what you meant, and i dont disagree with the core of it really. Just really think about your wording, as it hits more people than youd think :)

[–] theacharnian@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 days ago

Got it. I edited for clarity.

[–] surph_ninja@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

Exactly this. Beware of the Silicon Valley tech bros selling their version of UBI. It’s a Trojan horse they want to use to cut all social services.

[–] Malfeasant@lemm.ee 20 points 6 days ago

do you believe capatilism can co-exist with UBI?

UBI might be the only thing that can save capitalism.

[–] Blackmist 10 points 6 days ago

UBI doesn't mean everybody has more money. It comes from somewhere.

The poor will have more, the rich will have less, the middle will have about the same.

One of those three does not want UBI to be a thing, and they're trying to convince the other two.

[–] MY_ANUS_IS_BLEEDING@lemm.ee 12 points 6 days ago

I am on principle because what the fuck is the point of all this industrialisation and technology development if we aren't trying to break out of the cycle of scarcity?

As for how it can be properly funded: fuck knows.

[–] kinther@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago

Yes, if it is a tax on speculation, investments, and gambling. I can get behind it being a trickle down system that the wealthy can't opt out of.

[–] agent_nycto@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I feel like it's less about whether the process will go up or if capitalism can survive with it. I in feel that it's going to be necessary for humans to function. With population increasing, and jobs actually decreasing from technology for the first time in human history, from businesses automating stuff or self check out counters, we're just not going to have a job for every single person out there.

[–] tmyakal@lemm.ee 1 points 6 days ago

Kurt Vonnegut had a fun take on this exact scenario in his first book, Player Piano.

[–] yarr@feddit.nl 3 points 6 days ago

Here's what I say about UBI. We may not need it today, but we better figure it out because we'll need it someday. As an example, take a look at America in 1800. 95%+ of people worked in agriculture. With tractors, the cotton gin, etc. all those careers will be eliminated. The cotton gin of tomorrow is autonomous vehicles, robots and/or drones. Jobs like delivery driver, cashier, etc are all on borrowed time. If we don't figure out some new economic framework before that time, our society is toast. All the "unskilled" jobs that served as on-ramps to more advanced employment will literally be wiped off the face of the Earth.

Of course, America being America, we'll treat this like climate change. Deny deny deny, even when it starts actively harming you. By the time someone tries to solve it, we'll all be screwed.

[–] TurboHarbinger@feddit.cl 2 points 6 days ago

Be aware that UBI needs to go in hand with other reforms that can finance it, eliminating things like tax evasion via donations, and certain foundations that exploit those

[–] frezik@midwest.social 2 points 6 days ago (2 children)

One method of structuring it is that if UBI is $20k/year, then you have $20k/year taken out as taxes as long as you have a job. The income is neutral, so there's no basis for companies to raise prices.

[–] helpImTrappedOnline@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I don't like that plan. Its basically a free $20k for those who don't work while working people get nothing.

You either give everyone 20k or you don't.

I think the only way for UBI effectively to work is if you can fix prices/profits. No more charging $10 for something that's cost .5¢ to make.

[–] frezik@midwest.social 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Its basically a free $20k for those who don’t work while working people get nothing.

Yes, that's the point.

Not really. The point is that everyone has a base income. Why would working take away from the base income? Working should add to it.

[–] Yeller_king@reddthat.com 7 points 6 days ago

That's not a UBI.

Sounds like you might be interested in a negative income tax, though.

[–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I'm sceptical of it. where would all of that money come from? the "data industry", that is all about making the most believable lies and most effective ads? or land value tax that will make sure to outprice you from your own house if rich people flood it, or if improvements happen around the area?

the pension system, while I believe it is needed, I worry it cannot be sustained for too long anymore because currently it relies on infinite growth everywhere: year over year more people needs to work and pay taxes to finance the pension of the elderly.
or did I misunderstand something and this is not a problem?

[–] MY_ANUS_IS_BLEEDING@lemm.ee 1 points 6 days ago

Pensions have already been overhauled in the UK. Now pensions are essentially a tax efficient way of investing where you also don't get the realised returns until after you retire, so essentially you are paying for your own future.

[–] WILSOOON@programming.dev 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

What is ubi? Univeral bread initiative ?

[–] meekah@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago

Universal basic income

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