IMO, the DNC has to introduce a UBI plan or program if they

[CK_John]

want to take the House back.

It's obvious that what we are selling is not being brought.

The middle class may not know why but they know that their kids are not going to get a job or a education unless that are in the top 10%.

UBI program does not need to be a baked and a complete program but be we have to introduce the concept and not let profection be failure of the process.

[doc03]

1. Well why do I need a UBI program

and wtf is it?

[CK_John]

3. Univeral Basic Income to provide a means of income.

[left-of-center2012]

32. wtf is it?

I didn't have a clue either.

[wasupaloopa]

2. We introduce an idea like UBI in 2018

or 2020 using the Democrstic party we will remain out of power for the foreseeable future.

Not enough people have positive view of UBI.

Again this election will be idealists vs pragmatists.

We need to regain power before we try and sell ideas like UBI.

If you open your eyes you should be able to see what pushing extreme ideas gets us.

Nothing!

[tblue37]

4. What is "UBI"? nt

[wasupaloopa]

6. Universal basic income

[MichMan]

7. "Universal Basic Income"

Everyone breathing receives a monthly check from the Government. This is because many believe that automation will replace most jobs and huge numbers of people will be unemployed.

Some people believe it should go to those below a certain income level and others to everyone regardless of income. There is also a discussion on if it should replace current social spending like Unemployment, SNAP, HUD & EITC or should be in addition to those programs. Should it be enough to put people at the poverty line or sufficient enough to allow people a comfortable standard of living ?

[Irish_Dem]

13. Everyone should get the same amount, and it should make for a comfortable living.

Then everyone is free to do what their heart and soul desires.
Teach people to read, create art, etc.

[pangaia]

26. Shoot elephants !!

[HeartachesNhangovers]

39. If everyone is making a comfortable living,

who is going to drive the buses, work in grocery stores, restaurants or factories or chemical plants, provide social services, pump gas, install cable, etc, etc, etc?

[Codeine]

40. It should provide a basic income.

A comfortable living ensures that nobody does any damned thing.

[CK_John]

5. My point is our current plans do not seem to be very effect, but CEO's are submitting plans.

[wasupaloopa]

8. I don't see how our basic plans are not effective

Hillary won the popular vote. Her plans were very effective I thought. We all know where Bernie was coming from.

We stand for many things:
Free college
$15 minimum wage
Women's right to choose
Universal affordable health care
Liberal justices
Unions
Effective public education K through 12
Peace abroad
Human rights
LGBTQ rights
Women's rights
Pathway to citizenship for immagrants
Diversirsity
Social welfare
Income equality

I could go on

Problem is we do not control the message

[CK_John]

9. If you are over 40 and do not have a degree you know you

and your kids have missed the future. You will need UBI.

[wasupaloopa]

20. My guess is you don't have a clue how

that is going to work or the economic consequences of it

Beside raising taxes on rich people

[Irish_Dem]

10. With AI and robotics in our future, UBI is going to have to happen. nt

[MichMan]

11. Or learn how to adapt

The smart ones will learn how to design, program, build and repair automation instead of waiting for UBI to provide a comfortable lifestyle.

[Irish_Dem]

12. So we will have a society whose sole function is to service robots?

Doesn't seem right.

[MichMan]

16. Ridiculous assumption to believe every single job will be automated

[Irish_Dem]

17. We don't know that yet. AI is making great leaps....ridiculous to not consider it as a possibility.

It is possible for many jobs to be AI at some point in the future.

[CK_John]

14. A few will, but look at WVir they know coal is never coming back but they can't face

moving to chase pretend jobs; it is not going to happen.

[brooklynite]

15. UBI suffers from the same flaw as the $15/hour minimum wage...

...it is targeted at the lowest income citizen. Not that they don't need it, but the average voter is not in that situation, and doesn't see these strategies addresseing their needs.

[CK_John]

18. We have to intruduce something so lets get started, my

own program would be SocSec be set to 40yrs and include medicare.

[wasupaloopa]

21. Who pays? Soc sec relies on workers paying in so older people will

draw a check. Your idea would need to tax the shit out of young people with jobs to support you

[MichMan]

23. Cant let logic get in the way of a popular idea

Why wouldn't it make sense that you could pay into SS for 20 yrs and then draw on it for 40 ?

[GulfCoast66]

19. Tell you what...

Take your program and file to run for office on the issue.

When you lose the Democratic Primary get back with us.

[doc03]

22. Why would anyone work if they get paid for nothing and those who do

work how you going to get anything out of them if they can quit and get a pay check? What about us retirees on a fixed income, how are we supposed to survive if a meal at McDonalds costs $10 and nobody is paying into SS and Medicare? That kind of idea would go over like a lead balloon.

[Irish_Dem]

28. I think with AI and robotics, our concept of work with change dramatically.

And the idea of a guaranteed income is that everyone would be comfortable, old and young.

There are more than enough resources on this planet, if shared equitably, to provide for all.
We are used to only getting the crumbs the rich don't want.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

29. "Why would anyone work if they get paid for nothing..." To answer your

question several studies indicate they will - and work harder and smarter - check Prof. John Standing's youtube videos.

[dawg]

24. You're 50 years ahead of your time.

We will eventually need UBI. The day will come when robots and artificially intelligent software will complete most tasks more efficiently than humans are capable. Most "jobs" will then be obsolete, and we will be forced to tax the robot owners and re-distribute the income to everyone else so the economy can still function.

But voters can't wrap their heads around that concept right now. They would just see it as a handout to people too lazy to work.

For now, we need to focus our efforts on health care. It should be a right, not a privilege. And there is much we can do to expand access and affordability.

[GulfCoast66]

25. Thats like saying we needed gas stations in 1865

If the scenario you describe plays then we may in the distant future need it.

But to suggest that the Democratic Party propose it now would be electoral suicide.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

30. Okay - we'll let you opt out :)

[GulfCoast66]

33. LOL. I wont hold my breath👍

Hope you are having a great Thanksgiving

[dawg]

34. I agree.

I think we'll eventually get to that point, but not any time soon.

[steve2470]

38. yep I agree

"Obamacare" was reviled as the work of Lenin's ghost, think of how UBI would be treated. Lenin and Trotsky and Stalin and Kruschev and and and all rolled into one!

[Irish_Dem]

27. It is a good thing to imagine what an advanced society will look like. Our survival depends upon it.

A society where health care and education are provided to all.
An educated society, peaceful, and where a UBI provides a decent life for everyone.
And most citizens contribute in some way to the society in which they live.

If humans do not evolve, they will not survive.

[dawg]

35. That's true.

I like to imagine a world where all necessities are provided and people work for luxuries (and personal fulfillment). That's a pipe dream now, but with the right technological advances, there's no reason it couldn't be the reality of the future.

[Irish_Dem]

36. Dawg, this is the world I see, clear as day.

Yes, exactly, people work for extras beyond the guaranteed income.
Or take classes, or volunteer.

Also for personal fulfillment or societal good.
Arts, humanities, volunteer work.
For the advancement of self, others and society.

It is not a fancy, glitzy, over the top society.
But everything is quite nice, pretty and comfortable.

I agree, we have the ability to achieve this as a society.

Maybe it is not a pipe dream, maybe we are glimpsing the future.

Or maybe it is our home planet, and we got lost in the wrong galaxy.

[Saviolo]

31. Canada is running a UBI pilot program

Right now it's restricted to three communities in Ontario.

Some links about it. Here is an article from April, before the pilot started:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/what-is-basic-income-and-who-qualifies/article34795127/

Here is a recent development on these pilots:
http://basicincome.org/news/2017/11/canada-lindsay-ontario-delegates-pass-lindsay-declaration-basic-income/

Here is the Government of Ontario page about it:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-basic-income-pilot

[sarcasmo]

37. Kick