This is an important topic. Growing up with conservative parents (and grandparents) has instilled these voices in the back of my otherwise politically progressive adult mind. They whisper all their assorted concerns about UBI: whether it might reduce the willingness to work, or whether prices in the world will simply adjust up if everyone has more money. But at the same time I can also hear the war in my conservative father's head - as he grew up incredibly poor and despite his old fashioned republican values, he did agree that there needs to be a safety net. It is a tricky path to establish how to address needs so that lives are definitely improved in a sustainable way.
Making a living as an artist has been quite a roller coaster over the last few decades - there have been years where money has been no issue, and there have been periods where I struggled with rent and money for food. One thing I have learned is that I make better decisions when I am not concerned with basic needs. If I know that I have a home and food, that means I can think bigger and further out. I have time for education and have a better capacity for finding the best sort of work for my skill sets. Having some sort of UBI for those falling through the cracks will lift all of us, even if we are not direct beneficiaries of the UBI.
I volunteered one rainy morning with handing out bottled water to residents of skid row in Los Angeles. I was a little nervous and feeling a little awkward... hyper aware of my 2018 BMW amidst the poverty. I did not find addicts and tweakers. I found people who could not afford the high cost of housing in LA. There is far too much disparity between the very wealthy and the poor within our society. I am hopeful that increasing discussion of UBI opens minds as the general public becomes more familiar with what it is. I think that is the key... to promote discussions of it within public forums so that it becomes less of a novel idea.
Your second paragraph is everything. Imagine the untapped potential waiting when people no longer have to worry about a roof over their head, food on their table, and hell, throw in a little healthcare too!
Jun 13, 2023·edited Jun 13, 2023Liked by Elisa Camahort Page
We need to start viewing people as valuable resources rather than as a burden. In the same way we invest our financial assets so that they grow and provide a return down the road, immigrants and impoverished folks are our world's assets and if invested wisely the planet could become a much more pleasant place. Great scientists, artists... all sorts of potential if we choose to see disenfranchised people as valuable opportunities to invest in, rather than as a burden.
Your words teach... Not just the technical elements, but the soul ones as well. You graciously put words to what a lot of us (mostly) think but don't know quite know how to articulate -- and that is a gift to us. Thank you.
This is an important topic. Growing up with conservative parents (and grandparents) has instilled these voices in the back of my otherwise politically progressive adult mind. They whisper all their assorted concerns about UBI: whether it might reduce the willingness to work, or whether prices in the world will simply adjust up if everyone has more money. But at the same time I can also hear the war in my conservative father's head - as he grew up incredibly poor and despite his old fashioned republican values, he did agree that there needs to be a safety net. It is a tricky path to establish how to address needs so that lives are definitely improved in a sustainable way.
Making a living as an artist has been quite a roller coaster over the last few decades - there have been years where money has been no issue, and there have been periods where I struggled with rent and money for food. One thing I have learned is that I make better decisions when I am not concerned with basic needs. If I know that I have a home and food, that means I can think bigger and further out. I have time for education and have a better capacity for finding the best sort of work for my skill sets. Having some sort of UBI for those falling through the cracks will lift all of us, even if we are not direct beneficiaries of the UBI.
I volunteered one rainy morning with handing out bottled water to residents of skid row in Los Angeles. I was a little nervous and feeling a little awkward... hyper aware of my 2018 BMW amidst the poverty. I did not find addicts and tweakers. I found people who could not afford the high cost of housing in LA. There is far too much disparity between the very wealthy and the poor within our society. I am hopeful that increasing discussion of UBI opens minds as the general public becomes more familiar with what it is. I think that is the key... to promote discussions of it within public forums so that it becomes less of a novel idea.
Your second paragraph is everything. Imagine the untapped potential waiting when people no longer have to worry about a roof over their head, food on their table, and hell, throw in a little healthcare too!
We need to start viewing people as valuable resources rather than as a burden. In the same way we invest our financial assets so that they grow and provide a return down the road, immigrants and impoverished folks are our world's assets and if invested wisely the planet could become a much more pleasant place. Great scientists, artists... all sorts of potential if we choose to see disenfranchised people as valuable opportunities to invest in, rather than as a burden.
So true. Thank you for sharing that!
Your words teach... Not just the technical elements, but the soul ones as well. You graciously put words to what a lot of us (mostly) think but don't know quite know how to articulate -- and that is a gift to us. Thank you.
Thank *you* so much for your kind words.