Hawaii could become the first state to offer its citizens universal basic income after bill passes through both houses of state legislature

[mystery-ak]

Hawaii could become the first state to offer its citizens universal basic income after bill passes through both houses of state legislature

    Hawaii is working to becoming the first state to offer guaranteed basic income
    The state's cost of living - the highest in the country - motivated the passing of the resolution in May
    Next the state has to create a list of community leaders to determine whether universal basic income is feasible

By Matthew Wright For Dailymail.com

Published: 14:06 EDT, 17 June 2017 | Updated: 15:27 EDT, 17 June 2017


It may have been the last state to join the United States, but Hawaii may trail blaze and become the first to offer guaranteed basic income.

A bill was recently passed through both the houses and state legislature in a unanimous vote that declares that all Hawaiians 'deserve basic financial security' and prompts state agencies to look over 'universal basic income' along with other policy. 

'As innovation and automation and inequality disrupt our economy, we want to make sure that everybody benefits and nobody is left behind,' said state Representative Chris Lee of Kaliua to Mother Jones.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4613984/Hawaii-trail-blazes-race-universal-basic-income.html

[Cripplecreek]

So we can cut off all federal welfare funds and food stamp money?

[endicom]

I always wanted to be a beach bum so I wish they'd done this before.

[Frank Cannon]

Hawaii is a Socialist wasteland living on Spam and pineapple.

[cato potatoe]

As long as they want the only industry to be tourism, no big deal.  If they plan to bilk the tourists to pay for it, then they're going to end up like Puerto Rico.

[berdie]

I always wanted to be a beach bum so I wish they'd done this before.

Me too! But my beach just ain't too great any more.

[Gideon300]

I always wanted to be a beach bum...

So do lots of others!  Hawaii's population may triple in a very short time.  On the bright side, it may lessen the financial crisis in California.

Has Hawaii legalized marijuana?  If so, I know a few in Arizona and Colorado who are probably saving for a one-way ticket.

[bigheadfred]

So do lots of others!  Hawaii's population may triple in a very short time.  On the bright side, it may lessen the financial crisis in California.

Has Hawaii legalized marijuana?  If so, I know a few in Arizona and Colorado who are probably saving for a one-way ticket.

Be nice to see Californians head west for a change.

[NavyCanDo]

Be nice to see Californians head west for a change.

Due to the high cost of living in Hawaii, CA, as well as us in WA have a lot of Hawaiins who live here.

[Gideon300]

Due to the high cost of living in Hawaii, CA, as well as us in WA have a lot of Hawaiins who live here.

But how much cost of living is involved in lying on the beach with enough guaranteed income for beer and dope?

[Hondo69]

Charles Murray was the author who protestors ran out of Berkeley.

It's a fascinating book, dry as it is, full of numbers and facts that are hard to refute.  And it proposes a universal basic income in order to replace ALL the other welfare systems we currently prop up with tax dollars.

It turns out to be a net tax dollar savings for the simple reason that it cuts out the government overhead.

[txradioguy]

And in other news the State of Hawaii just moved into third place behind Illinois and California as the next state likely to file bankruptcy due to bad decisions by Liberals.

[INVAR]

"Universal basic income"?????

We already have a version of this - it's called welfare and I simply do not think the SJW are going to like the 'universal' aspect of a guaranteed check from the government.

They will want this to be only available to 'people of color'.

Whites need not apply.

Not to mention - this is as stupid an idea as any other I have heard from the Utopianists.

Next up: Universal Basic Housing and Universal Basic Groceries to go along with Universal Basic Healthcare.

We all get to be serfs.

Yay!

[Hondo69]

I know it does sound insane, but there are points worth considering.

First, we already are a very Socialist country and that isn't going to change.  Just look at the national budget if you don't believe me.

Secondly, it treats everyone equally.  There's a lot to be said for any idea that removes special interest groups from the equation.  It would kill the Democrat Party for one thing as their life blood comes from playing favorites, identifying victims, and feigning outrage. 

Third, it comes with a certain amount of accountability.  If I decide to put my checks into savings and you decide to blow yours on meth, that's a you problem and I don't want to hear about it.

Lastly, all other welfare programs would disappear right along with the majority of Washington agencies.  It's a good thing - equivalent to cutting Tony Soprano's territory from all of New Jersey down to one square block.

[driftdiver]

I'm moving.

[Free Vulcan]

Evidently they think Illinois is a good fiscal role model.

[EC]

As long as they're not expecting other states to pay for it, isn't this part of the point of having the various states? To try different things and see what works and what doesn't?

[GtHawk]

I always wanted to be a beach bum so I wish they'd done this before.

I don't know about the other islands, but years ago when we went to Kauaii there were filthy hippies all over the place, I wonder how long untill they are all flooded with migrants from the other states? This actualy might benefit some other states.

[Fishrrman]

EC wrote:
"As long as they're not expecting other states to pay for it, isn't this part of the point of having the various states? To try different things and see what works and what doesn't?"

Therein lies the problem.
They WILL expect the other states to "pay for it" -- through federal income taxes on all Americans which Hawaii will then lay claim upon.

[The_Reader_David]

Charles Murray was the author who protestors ran out of Berkeley.

It's a fascinating book, dry as it is, full of numbers and facts that are hard to refute.  And it proposes a universal basic income in order to replace ALL the other welfare systems we currently prop up with tax dollars.

It turns out to be a net tax dollar savings for the simple reason that it cuts out the government overhead.

I'd suspected that would be the case.  I'm glad Murray ran the numbers. 

The other virtue of replacing ALL other welfare systems with a universal basic income is that it removes the disincentive to work created loss of benefits creating what is effectively a confiscatory tax rate on the first money earned.  A UBI pays people for doing nothing. Welfare pays people to do nothing.  There is a difference.

[Hondo69]

I'd suspected that would be the case.  I'm glad Murray ran the numbers. 

The other virtue of replacing ALL other welfare systems with a universal basic income is that it removes the disincentive to work created loss of benefits creating what is effectively a confiscatory tax rate on the first money earned.  A UBI pays people for doing nothing. Welfare pays people to do nothing.  There is a difference.

Good point.

And while one is sitting there getting paid for doing nothing they might as well pop out a few babies.  The checks get bigger the more babies they produce.  That's a problem.

---

Another aspect the book pointed out was the opportunity to start a small business.  Banks would be willing to loan money to a person, or group of people, using their monthly UBI checks as collateral.  That initial boost of seed money may be just enough to get a lot of people headed in the right direction.

[Hondo69]

I've long made the case that about 1/3 of the U.S. budget is wasted.

If so, that amounts to over a trillion dollars a year.  Replacing the current system of welfare with a UBI could go a long way towards eliminating that waste.

[txradioguy]

Replacing the current system of welfare with a UBI could go a long way towards eliminating that waste.

Life Liberty and the guarantee of a basic income?

[Hondo69]

Life Liberty and the guarantee of a basic income?

Yeah, that's one hump I struggle to get over too.

[Blizzardnh]

I've long made the case that about 1/3 of the U.S. budget is wasted.

If so, that amounts to over a trillion dollars a year.  Replacing the current system of welfare with a UBI could go a long way towards eliminating that waste.

So your saying the congress will eliminate waste?