Is it moral to allow those earning the most money to pay a significantly smaller percentage of their income simply because they can afford to exploit loopholes?
Universal basic income
- Thread starter terley
- Start date
Soldato
The British culture could never stomach people receiving money for no work. We already refer to people who receive job seekers allowance and similar benefits as "scroungers". It's this culture that sees any strike action receive very little public support; we simply hate to think that there are people trying to better themselves, and are horrified at the thought of people getting something for nothing. It's all me, me, me in this country.
Associate
- Joined
- 20 Mar 2014
- Posts
- 2,361
Seems like a good idea to me. As you say a more things get automated it might be needed.
Soldato
Would you be happy for someone to take your bank card and help themselves?
Caporegime
I'm torn on it, to be honest, I think it has the potential to help people get started and not run themselves down in any old job just to get by, particularly if you are creative and want to run your own thing, but I can just see it being implemented really poorly by any government of ours.
So with the rich people "eradicated", who exactly is employing the poor people?
Associate
- Joined
- 1 Aug 2017
- Posts
- 686
The Scottish Government are already funding research and looking to trial UBI in Fife. Wouldn't surprise me if it became nationwide here in Scotland.
Soldato
Don't be silly.
Soldato
The problem with this is we end up paying for people who add little to no value to the community. I'm not saying creativity has no value, more that there are plenty of people who claim to be creative who are far from it!
Do I get to be a "professional video games player" for example?
Soldato
Soldato
Well, right back at you.
Back and forth we go. Like I care.
Caporegime
Well everyone would be getting UBI anyway so it would be down to them to be creative enough to make something of themselves, I'm not saying it should be introduced just so everyone can claim to be an artist or whatever, just that it would help a lot of folk out who don't have the time or funds available at the moment to fully commit to their projects. Like I said though I can just see it being implemented poorly so it doesn't really change a great deal and people will still need to work low paid jobs to get above the poverty line.
Soldato
Aw, you found the ideal solution didn't you. Solve all the poverty in the world, but you personally don't need to lift a finger or contribute a penny.
Genius.
Soldato
Stop talking crap. I actually volunteer in my community, giving up my free time to help others. What do you do?
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but thats not what you said.
got any savings? give some to me then as you're "richer" than I am..
Soldato
This^^^^^^^, ever notice that the rich are on self assessment taxes so can claim back the majority they pay in tax and the government ensure the poor are on PAYE so can’t claim anything back, I bet I pay a higher percentage of my wages in tax than someone that’s earning £500k+ does on there’s.
Soldato
PM me your bank details and I'll send you whatever you need.
Soldato
I don't demand that people with more money than me start funding my lifestyle involuntary.
Soldato
Neither do I. All I meant in my statement about the rich funding the poor was in regard to the FACT that a few have MORE than they need, and the majority have LESS than they need. A hippy philosophy, granted, but a noble idea none the less. It would be nice to see more charity from the rich, but it's their money at the end of the day and if they just want to hoard it, who am I to argue.
People are always very keen to advocate using the state monopoly on force to take property from other people, but rarely from themselves.
It's one of the reasons we need stronger protection for equality under the law.