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Comment by SCAQTony | Hacker News Reader

The United states pulls in $3-trillion in taxes. We have 225-million adults over 18-years old and if they (we) were handed out $2,000 a month each that would equal

EDIT: [225 million * 2000 * 12 = 5.4 trillion per year.]

If we're talking about the solutions mentioned in the article I suspect administrating the various types of handouts may add an additional 50% cost to that [$5.4 trillion per year.]

A basic income may work for Switzerland due to it's amazingly tiny population. (Less than half the size of L.A. County) In the United States, I would think inflation, laziness and complaints that $2,000 was not enough basic income would rule the day.

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225 million * 2000 * 12 = 5.4 trillion per year.

Basic income arguments usually revolve around numbers. But what of self-respect? There is something very concerning about faith in a benevolent State-parent that will feed and clothe us instead of enabling us to do so ourselves, by removing policies that keep Americans poor.

The state already provides roads, ensures the safety of our food, and gives us all access to a justice system. What of self-respect? If we want it, we should be able to derive it from being political beings, from being active and engaged members of civic society. While you need a purpose for being to have self-respect, that doesn't have to come from punching a clock.

You come from a kind place and I acknowledge that but IMHO, you may be overestimating the IQ of at last 50% of the citizenry.

I border a poor neighbor in Los Angeles; their goals and aspirations are quite different then the readers on this site.

Problems with keeping their kids in school, gangs and teen pregnancy come to mind as the most important issues. It would not be hyperbole to say that a high percentage of this class can't name the three branches of government, the mayor of the city, let alone the governor, or their Congress member.

A basic income may provide shelter and food but they all ready have that via section 8 housing and EBT cards. What they really want is a "job ticket" to the middle class.

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