Mark Zuckerberg and Universal Basic Income (UBI)

At Harvard yesterday during a commencement speech, Mark Zuckerberg brought up the idea of a universal basic income.  That is everyone, at least everyone in this county, be given a basic salary, a cushion, just for being.  Of course the money will come from the government and where does the government get all this money, nowhere else but from the taxpayer.  Those of us with a brain realize there is just so much money a working member of society can afford in paying taxes before they will need a UBI.   

However, I see the light at the end of the tunnel on this.  I believe Mark Zuckerberg who is worth approximately $60 Billion should begin this universal basic income by using $59 Billion of his own income and donate it as a beginning of the UBI.  This way, he can continue to work even harder to produce more income to donate to his UBI idea.  Then, he can get all his other rich friends such as Bezos, Buffet and others to continue the process.  They can put the money they earn through working and donate most of their income to the UBI.  This way, all of us receiving this UBI can sit back and think of what we would like to do with our lives or what invention we can develop.  Naturally, we can take our time on these ideas, like maybe 60 years.  

This has and is being used in Finland and what that government has found is the people have lost the incentive to go out and work to better themselves or contribute to society with ideas or actually working for a living to get off the government dole. 

What government should be doing is accelerating people into working either through emphasizing education or vocational training so that people can see that with a little effort they will realize as they apply themselves to succeed and accelerate that effort, they can better themselves and become a productive member of society.  Yes, we all know there are some who will fall on hard times and that is where present government programs can offer temporary assistance until that individual or family can improve themselves.  

But UBI is not the answer.  Effort to make something of your life through hard work and applying yourself to achieve in whatever job you choose is the answer.  UBI will encourage more people just to sit on their butt and let others pay for their existence.

 

So, if Mark Zuckerberg really believes in his UBI idea, then it is time to put up or shut up.  $59 Billion is a good start.  Talk is cheap, action is what is needed and he can begin his UBI with his money and not the taxpayer. Since he was an avid Obama supporter and Obama’s socialist idea of transferring wealth from those who have it to those who do not, Mark Zuckerberg should continue Obama’s program.  However, I am sure he was really suggesting that government provide the UBI and not using his mega income.  This really means it will fall on the middle income taxpayer and not the super rich or poor.  The liberal rich love to talk about what government can do as long it is not costing them money.  Just like they all claim we should not build a wall, but go live in their wall enclosed homes with security.  What is good for the goose is not good for the gander.