tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post5135643305911652475..comments2024-03-23T18:13:37.036-03:00Comments on Canadian-Traveler: What Happens When You Give Basic Income To The Poor? Canada Is About To Find OutPeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01197108331214049357noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-48430471114896206502016-12-01T23:34:02.375-04:002016-12-01T23:34:02.375-04:00I find this interesting, as well as the diverging ...I find this interesting, as well as the diverging paths the US and Canada are taking. I guess us Canadians can get used to being called a bunch of "Socialists" on an even more frequent basis from our friends down south (which always irks me honestly...where's the fine line where people become "socialists" - both Americans/Canadians pay income taxes, both have a safety net of some degree...).<br /><br />Anyway, I 100% agree with your first paragraph and I think Canadians are always willing to pay higher taxes to ensure the relative safe streets and everything that comes with it. I think safety, clean streets, and openness to race/religion is the greatest thing about Canada. <br /><br />I'm not crazy about the idea of a basic income, no strings attached approach. We've often heard about people on Welfare who don't work because they don't have to and that this attitude passes on from generation to generation. Basic income will make them more comfortable but if anything, won't change that attitude. It's also another fixed cost to Canadian society. I'm heartened however about kids staying in school longer though and if that really is true than it is achieving a goal of making the population more educated and marketable...but I still have my doubts that the pros outweigh the cons, is it just another cost we pay for without changing anything among the poor (other than making them more comfortable?. <br /><br />Coming back to my opening paragraph though: it's funny how Canada/US goes in different directions almost constantly. We're now more left-leaning with Trudeau, US has turned to Trump who is anything but. Before they had Obama, we had Harper who was on the right of the political spectrum. Before that we had Chretien/Martin when they had Bush Jr. Just seems we're never in sync with our political leanings.<br /><br />Anyway, interesting read and happy to have come across your blog.<br /><br />Frank (bbqboy)Bbqboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531090158440744408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-68693231398047311362016-11-30T13:25:38.706-04:002016-11-30T13:25:38.706-04:00Automatization and and the use of more computers a...Automatization and and the use of more computers are exactly the reason why there won't be enough jobs for everyone. If appropriate measures are not gonna be taken we will move towards an unprecedented unemployment and poverty rate. That in itself will lead to a decline of the economy. We will be in an inner spiral to wiping out our very exixtence. Millions of manufacturing jobs will continue to move to low-wage countries. And a Mr. Trump will not be able to force companies to produce at home. Only deplorables will believe such a fairy tale.<br />Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01197108331214049357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-31754288909449760242016-11-30T10:08:09.572-04:002016-11-30T10:08:09.572-04:00In a perfect world everyone would have a good payi...In a perfect world everyone would have a good paying job,however advances in technology have taken jobs from all countries. If a welder makes $22 per hour and a robot can do the same job for $8 which one do you think a manufacturer is going to go with.Yankeeflyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07460837378837919603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-73036916177510936962016-11-30T08:10:20.287-04:002016-11-30T08:10:20.287-04:00The condition for recipients would be to be lawful...The condition for recipients would be to be lawful residents. Other than that the discussion paper says "no strings attached". Mandatory drug testing to receive a basic income would not be supported in Canada. As you may have heard Canada is about to open up for use of marijuana. Personally, I am not in favor for that, but it is coming.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01197108331214049357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-74200888367891338962016-11-30T07:54:16.463-04:002016-11-30T07:54:16.463-04:00I think you may have a valid point there. I think you may have a valid point there. Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01197108331214049357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-9252540848044610672016-11-30T01:15:19.868-04:002016-11-30T01:15:19.868-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Dave Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00072244241269954724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-16062436795364520682016-11-30T01:13:04.026-04:002016-11-30T01:13:04.026-04:00My fear is big corporations that pay the lowest po...My fear is big corporations that pay the lowest possible wages would see a great opportunity to pay less or to otherwise abuse the system.Dave Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00072244241269954724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-10834906621027738572016-11-29T20:06:18.807-04:002016-11-29T20:06:18.807-04:00Sorry..Ak was not a good example because it was a ...Sorry..Ak was not a good example because it was a once a year payment, the highest being $3k+DeeBevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285983988049210263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-60880333548101457822016-11-29T19:59:24.262-04:002016-11-29T19:59:24.262-04:00This is a Utopian project I could support IF the f...This is a Utopian project I could support IF the funds were actually used for which you stated. Do you, by any chance, know how people receiving these funds would be accountable? There is growing support for our states to require mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients. Once the families climb out of poverty level, do the payments stop? After the oil activity in Alaska, all residents received a stipend but I honestly have not researched the results after 50 years. DeeBevhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01285983988049210263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-60450435600759715912016-11-29T19:25:17.425-04:002016-11-29T19:25:17.425-04:00That is exactly the reason why they start a time-l...That is exactly the reason why they start a time-limited pilot project first and evaluate since. A requirement to work public service hours would destroy important aspects of the program, like f.e.x having kids staying in school longer or mothers being able to provide for their little children. I grew up at a time where only one parent worked for the household income while the other stayed at home and provided a lot of good for the household. Today's incomes are not high enough to be able to do that. A guranteed income would allow for one parent to stay home. Experts are already agreeing that there will be not enough work for everybody in 10-15 years. It is most important to be prepared when that time arrives. Besides, the program will save enormous amounts of government costs for administration of all the numerous social programs like f.e.x unemployment insurance, housing allowance etc. Not mentioning savings in the health sector.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01197108331214049357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567813748978904720.post-21785230857766497972016-11-29T17:55:02.610-04:002016-11-29T17:55:02.610-04:00Once the program starts there is no turning back. ...Once the program starts there is no turning back. Success or failure, you will never, ever be able to stop the payments to those receiving the free money. <br />How about a requirement to work a certain number of public service hours if not gainfully employed. Or would that be too embarrassing?Ed, Carol and Gopher the doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02797740432825708165noreply@blogger.com