Could space pay for a universal basic income?

[Elderberry]

Boston Globe by  Jacob Haqq-Misra 7/23/2017

The idea of a universal basic income is gaining traction, in think tanks and in Silicon Valley, as a response to the rise of outsourced and automated labor. If everyone were guaranteed a minimum salary to meet the basic needs of food and shelter, so the argument goes, then people would be free to allocate their time according to their own preferences. A universal basic income could alleviate poverty, reward traditionally unpaid labor, and encourage entrepreneurial risk-taking.

But who would pay for such an expensive social experiment? Taxes on the wealthy and cuts to military spending are oft-cited solutions that seem unlikely to gain political momentum. Perhaps we should look at the looming space economy. The resources of space are plentiful, which international treaties say are for the benefit of all — but, for better or worse, could end up conveying their greatest benefits upon the wealthiest. If space is really the domain of all people and nations, then perhaps the wealth of space should be shared in the hands of everyone.

Why not plan for that, aligning the forces creating inequality with a solution to inequality? The emerging industries of space mining and tourism could potentially sustain a basic income for everyone.

More: https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2017/07/22/could-space-pay-for-universal-basic-income/tSQzfEuJxf1L3LcAsBRXcK/story.html

[Oceander]

In a word, no.

[DB]

We already have it in western countries. It is called public assistance - i.e. welfare.

[Joe Wooten]

Ah, the eternal pipe dreams of the tax and spend libs. Hoping a new golden egg laying goose is born to fund their nanny state........

[Just_Victor]

Ah, the eternal pipe dreams of the tax and spend libs. Hoping a new golden egg laying goose is born to fund their nanny state........

But, we're sure communism will work, this time. 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I'm convinced that liberals just plain don't want to work.

[Joe Wooten]

But, we're sure communism will work, this time. 

Yep, when the "right" people run it. it will surely work to create a paradise on Earth.......

[dfwgator]

I'm convinced that liberals just plain don't want to work.

They just want to bang on the drum all day.

[Cripplecreek]

Talk like this is how to kill space based industry in the womb.

[Joe Wooten]

Talk like this is how to kill space based industry in the womb.

In their minds, that's a feature, not a bug.......

[rodamala]

In a word, no.

In two words, f*** no.

[Cyber Liberty]

There ain't enough money in the world for a guaranteed minimum income.  Any moron can see that.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

There ain't enough money in the world for a guaranteed minimum income.  Any moron can see that.

I've debated it myself (as a substitute for existing programs)... however, i'm not sure you could implement it without causing massive inflation.

[Cripplecreek]

There ain't enough money in the world for a guaranteed minimum income.  Any moron can see that.

Only a liberal could skip over a whole new economic tree creating jobs and go right to using it to pay people to do nothing.

[Cyber Liberty]

All I have to do is look at my sister (and others I know, but I know her best).  She's a deadbeat and a thief, and no matter how much dough she can scam from people, it's never enough and she always goes back for more.  How anybody can believe the thirst for cash by a deadbeat can be sated is beyond me.

No matter how much cash you throw at a grifter, they'll always be poor and pathetic.  As dead broke as the Clintons when they left the White House.  Factor in the amazing level of inflation just attempting to create a guaranteed minimum income, and the entire economy would go down the tubes in a matter of months, if not weeks.

The concept ignores the real value of money.  Why does it exist?  To parcel out scarcity.  A GMI ignores the existence of it.  Free everything for everybody!  Stupidest damned thing I've ever heard of.

[DB]

All I have to do is look at my sister (and others I know, but I know her best).  She's a deadbeat and a thief, and no matter how much dough she can scam from people, it's never enough and she always goes back for more.  How anybody can believe the thirst for cash by a deadbeat can be sated is beyond me.

No matter how much cash you throw at a grifter, they'll always be poor and pathetic.  As dead broke as the Clintons when they left the White House.  Factor in the amazing level of inflation just attempting to create a guaranteed minimum income, and the entire economy would go down the tubes in a matter of months, if not weeks.

The concept ignores the real value of money.  Why does it exist?  To parcel out scarcity.  A GMI ignores the existence of it.  Free everything for everybody!  Stupidest damned thing I've ever heard of.

Star Trek generation... Never mind reality...