Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

While i am very pro-tax and pro-support nets, i don't think we can have UBI - an insanely high tax social program - without a tax overhaul.

Most specifically, the more social programs you provide the more transparent taxation becomes. Right now our tax programs are not only lacking in transparency but are straight obtuse. This exists, i assume, because they had to work around peoples aversion to taxes and sticker shock when paying taxes.

A massively increased tax spend will only serve to illustrate the sticker-shock problem more. I just don't see UBI happening until people can learn to pay for the common good, recognizing what they're getting out of it and how the common good has material impacts on their self - even if entirely selfishly motivated (as most Americans seem).

Unfortunately the only way i see UBI (or similar) happening is in the face of mass layoffs and lack of work due to a large technology change - like various forms of automation. Until then, it's a problem people can't see, aren't directly affected by, and won't want to pay for.



Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: