Hello distraff,
Originally Posted by
distraff
What about we only start doing a universal basic income when the robots are actually taking away jobs? Unemployment is at 3.7% and there is a high demand for labor. The percent of the population employed is below the 90s and pre-recession levels, but it is recovering and still above the 80s and before (because of women entering working force), and we have a lot more older retired people.
We can start with requiring employers to pay workers time and a half pay for all work past 40 hours. This will encourage them to hire more workers. We can also work to fill the 5 million jobs skills gap and no longer need to import skilled labor from other countries.
There are not currently good well-paying jobs for everybody. Most jobs have been downsized and benefits stripped away. The BLS counts someone as 'employed' if they work one hour per week. Who can live on that? Many jobs are part time, temporary, no benefits. Many American workers cannot survive on their pay; and qualify for and receive government assistance, even as they work. American taxpayers put food on the table of Walmart workers.
We can't wait until all the jobs are replaced by automation. That is already happening, will ramp up, and so is/will demand for government assistance (be) rising.
At some point, we have to realize that all those government assistance agencies, and all that huge big government bureaucracy, could be replaced by one far lower overhead system, which instead of spinning so many wheels to decide eligibility, simply hands out money instead with few requirements. And makes government smaller. The money goes into circulation, and the economy sings along. We would be far better situated to do this proactively rather than waiting until it is a big problem and/or causes a recession/depression before we act.
Personal Ignore Policy PIP: I like civil discourse. I will give you all the respect in the world if you respect me. Mouth off to me, or express overt racism, you will be PERMANENTLY Ignore Listed. Zero tolerance. No exceptions. I'll never read a word you write, even if quoted by another, nor respond to you, nor participate in your threads. ... Ignore the shallow. Cherish the thoughtful. Long Live Civil Discourse, Mutual Respect, and Good Debate! ps: Feel free to adopt my PIP. It works well.
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