The document discusses Universal Basic Income (UBI), which proposes giving all citizens a fixed monthly cash payment with no restrictions on how it is spent. It is promoted as a way to eliminate poverty, encourage entrepreneurship as technology reduces jobs, and save capitalism. Common objections are addressed, such as claims it will reduce work or increase spending on vices. Research on limited UBI programs shows increased work, savings, education and reduced crime and debt. Funding options include redirecting existing welfare spending and implementing new taxes. Both left and right political philosophies can support UBI for different reasons, and the document argues for thinking big but starting with small pilot programs to move the idea forward.

1. BIG IDEA:
Universal Basic Income

2. What is Universal Basic Income?
• A fixed, monthly cash grant
• Given directly to all adult citizens individually
• To cover basic living expenses
• With no strings attached

3. Why Universal Basic Income?
• Eliminate poverty and reduce inequality, with dignity
and security for all
• Save capitalism, as technology substitutes for human
labor and reduces wage income/purchasing power
• Encourage entrepreneurship, life-long learning,
creative and caring work, and civic engagement

4. Common Objections
We WON’T
• Fringe idea
• No political support
• Too many vested
interests
We SHOULDN’T
• People are lazy and
won’t work
• Will be spent on
alcohol and drugs
• Something for
nothing
• Breeds dependency
We CAN’T
• Will cost too much
• Inflationary
• Geographic cost
differences
• People won’t do
unattractive but
necessary jobs

5. UBI Results?
• MOREWORK and MORE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
• MORE SAVINGS, LESS DEBT
• BETTER HEALTH and EDUCATION outcomes
• LESS CRIME and REDUCED RECIDIVISM
• NO INCREASES in ALCOHOL, DRUG orTOBACCO USE

6. How CanWe Afford UBI?
• Existing bureaucratic welfare program spending
• Consumption taxes (VAT)
• Financial transaction taxes
• Tax expenditures (subsidies, deductions)
• Carbon taxes
• Patent fees
• Income and property taxes
• Savings from reduced governmental costs (health, crime)

7. Support for UBI?
• Frances Coppola
• Barbara Ehrenreich
• Milton Friedman
• Friedrich Hayek
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Charles Murray
• Richard Nixon
• Thomas Paine
• Robert Reich
• Joseph Stiglitz

8. Political Logic
• Right
– Eliminates 300+ government programs and the nanny-state
– Puts focus on individual responsibility
– Preserves market based virtuous cycle of consumption and production
• Left
– Eliminates poverty
– Eliminates holes in the safety net
– Enhances individual bargaining power
• Libertarian
– IF some distribution is needed, maximizes individual freedom for the recipient

9. How to Make UBI Happen?
Think Big
Start Small
Move Fast