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Obama: Consider a universal basic income
theweek.com ^ | July 17, 2018

Posted on 07/17/2018 4:49:55 PM PDT by PROCON

In his first major speech since leaving office, former President Barack Obama endorsed the idea of providing a universal basic income.

Speaking at the Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in South Africa on Tuesday, Obama raised the notion of guaranteed income as a way to reduce what he called "yawning disparities" in wealth, education, and security across different socioeconomic groups.

"It's not just money that a job provides," said Obama. "It provides dignity and structure and a sense of place and a sense of purpose. So we're going to have to consider new ways of thinking about these problems, like a universal income, review of our workweek, how we retrain our young people, how we make everybody an entrepreneur at some level. But we're going have to worry about economics if we want to get democracy back on track."

He additionally called on the rich to support higher taxation, saying that "you don't have to take a vow of poverty just to say 'let me help out a few of these folks.'"


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: basicincome; economicilliterate; handouts; hussein; idiocracy; illiterati; kenyangohome; mmm; obama; obamalegacy; obambi; odumbo; socialism; universalincome; x44
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To: PROCON

Everyone must give up their money to make this happen but Obama will give up NOTHING


41 posted on 07/17/2018 5:26:15 PM PDT by butlerweave
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‘Dignity and a sense of purpose’ bahahahahahaha....it does just the opposite like all the handout programs...but of course that is what the demonrats want...to be in charge of giving out money stolen from the makers and transferring it to the takers....then they will promise more and more and keep those welfare votes rolling in...people on government handout programs should not have the right to vote having already demonstrated they can’t manage their own affairs let alone the country’s affairs...


42 posted on 07/17/2018 5:27:13 PM PDT by TnTnTn
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To: Rennes Templar
“Money.. provides dignity and structure and a sense of place and a sense of purpose.”

Wrong. Work does.


The point is true on principle, but I am beyond tired of working hard and struggling while what the British call scroungers (able-bodied but would rather be on the dole) have, in some ways, a better life than I do. By that I mean their basic needs are met and they have copious amounts of free time. I have little to no free time (although I do manage to read and post on FR).

I have unique opportunities to observe the "poor" in my travels. They have nice clothes, new cars, swipe that EBT for food and don't worry a bit about how much that emergency room visit or prescription will cost. My car is over ten years old, I rarely buy new clothes, I clip coupons, put off medical care and on top of all of that I have to write checks to the IRS. The pride in working has dimmed for me.

And Obama wants to give these people MORE of my earnings.
43 posted on 07/17/2018 5:27:47 PM PDT by LostInBayport (When there are more people riding in the cart than there are pulling it, the cart stops moving...)
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To: Mr. Jeeves

I agree, Mr. J!


44 posted on 07/17/2018 5:31:37 PM PDT by PROCON ('Progressive' is a Euphemism for Totalitarian)
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To: Mariner

The devil is in the details. If you think the current welfare programs will just disappear with the advent of a UBI, you are naive. “But the kids need a good school breakfast, lunch, and dinner!” etc.


45 posted on 07/17/2018 5:33:36 PM PDT by RightGeek (FUBO and the donkey you rode in on)
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To: Mariner

I read Murray’s book on this and this subject is probably the one place in his socieo-political philosophy and research were I disagree with him.

As I read the book I thought he was way off base about the basic human behaviors and how they would respond to the money. He seemed to be stuck in a middle and upper middle class mindset and did not think it through for “People who do not think as we do.”

I also disagree with Limbaugh on his take on healthcare because he cannot get beyond his limitless moneys to see that the middle class needs protections from predatory practices by insurance companies and medical-pharmaceutical-industrial complex.

Both have blind spots in these areas.


46 posted on 07/17/2018 5:33:39 PM PDT by Chickensoup (Leftists today are speaking as if they plan to commence to commit genocide against conservatives.)
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To: RightGeek

“If you think the current welfare programs will just disappear with the advent of a UBI, you are naive.”

Therein lies the rub.

How do you convince the left to surrender all the other programs for UBI? And there are HUNDREDs of programs.


47 posted on 07/17/2018 5:36:38 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Sir_Humphrey

“I believe Milton Freidman also supported some form of guaranteed annual income .”

Yes he did.

But both Murray and Friedman were INSISTENT it had to be a trade between the existing welfare state and UBI.

Because UBI is cheaper. And more effective for the motivated. And reduces the power of the state.

But, if you cannot totally eliminate the welfare state, UBI is a disaster.


48 posted on 07/17/2018 5:39:28 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: PROCON

How about considering more emphasis on freedom, opportunity and personal responsibility.


49 posted on 07/17/2018 5:39:57 PM PDT by kanawa (Trump Loves a Great Deal)
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To: PROCON

And where is his check to the Treasury.


50 posted on 07/17/2018 5:41:24 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: PROCON

‘...But teach a man to fish....


51 posted on 07/17/2018 5:42:58 PM PDT by onedoug
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To: Mariner

Too many freeper on the government teat. They will never allow that!


52 posted on 07/17/2018 5:43:08 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: DaxtonBrown

Socialism definitely. People still work private jobs.


53 posted on 07/17/2018 5:46:37 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: PROCON

I think Obama should consider giving up being a douche bag.


54 posted on 07/17/2018 5:47:38 PM PDT by jospehm20
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To: PROCON

President Hillary Clinton would have enacted a UBI by executive order. Congressional Republicans would have bitched, but would have lost at the Supreme Court; Justice Garland writing the Opinion of the Court.


55 posted on 07/17/2018 5:50:46 PM PDT by Repeal 16-17 (Let me know when the Shooting starts.)
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To: PROCON

They really want us to have crumbs don’t they? If they legalize pot and give us a minimum basic income without working for it then their job of controlling us is much easier.


56 posted on 07/17/2018 5:53:05 PM PDT by punknpuss
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To: PROCON

The Kenyan needs a tire around his neck. That was the kiss of scumbag communist Mandela and Winnie the pig.


57 posted on 07/17/2018 5:53:09 PM PDT by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
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To: PROCON

Consider and support an American President instead!


58 posted on 07/17/2018 5:55:04 PM PDT by Boardwalk
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To: PROCON
...Obama raised the notion of guaranteed income as a way to reduce what he called "yawning disparities" in wealth, education, and security across different socioeconomic groups.

When has giving away something for nothing worked? The answer is NEVER.

Perhaps Obama is saying that so he will feel better about himself.

59 posted on 07/17/2018 5:55:21 PM PDT by olezip
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To: PROCON

Hillary and O’Bastard are rich enough to fund it themselves.


60 posted on 07/17/2018 5:58:38 PM PDT by Old Yeller (Auto-correct has become my worst enema.)
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