• jaybone@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    I like the idea of UBI. And I know it has “worked” in some small scale environments. But I can help but wonder if income inequality is required for our capitalist based economy to function. Like if everyone quits their job, who will drive a truck to deliver shit to the grocery store that nobody is working at?

    • MrVilliam@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      income inequality is required for our capitalist based economy to function

      Yeah, that’s kinda what capitalism is. The system itself is the problem. It only “works” if there are workers for the owners to exploit, and the goal of the owners is to accumulate more and more capital. Infinite growth is impossible because the resources are finite. It’s time for our economy to evolve.

    • Fubber Nuckin'@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      You have to keep in mind that a UBI is not complete even redistribution of all wealth. It is redistribution of a relatively small portion of the wealth. It only serves to tip the scales a bit, it’s not really meant to be lived off of.

      • grue@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        it’s not really meant to be lived off of.

        By definition it is, barely. That’s why it’s called “basic.” A subsidy too small to cover even minimal living expenses would just be “UI.”

        • Fubber Nuckin'@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          Actually didn’t know that. I keep hearing about ubi experiments of like $400/mo, which is too little to survive on in the US no matter what you do.

          • grue@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            Yeah, people love misusing the term for “experiments” that are neither “universal” nor “basic.” The best part is when some galaxy-brain comes up with “hey, let’s have UBI but how 'bout we means-test it?” and then I just want to respond with a Syndrome meme.