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inanna

(3,547 posts)
Wed Mar 9, 2016, 04:07 PM Mar 2016

Canada Is About To Start Giving Away Free Money (Huffington Post)

03/09/2016 01:59 pm ET

It's part of a pilot program to reduce poverty.

If people know for sure they'll have enough money for essentials, will they contribute more to society? That's one of the many questions Canada aims to answer with a new pilot program that will give free money to citizens for doing nothing.

The Canadian province of Ontario is getting ready to start an experiment in which it pays people a little bit each month to cover basic expenses. It's a type of social safety net called basic income, and it's an idea that's gaining steam in both progressive and libertarian economic circles (albeit in different forms) as a way to support the poor and the struggling while boosting economic growth.

The basic income trial is included in Ontario's 2017-2018 budget, which was introduced by the government in late February and is expected to pass soon. There are no specific figures yet for how many people will participate or how much money they would receive, but recent trials in Finland and the Netherlands have proposed between $800 and $1,000 per month.

The plan is part of a larger push to reduce poverty and expand the safety net in Ontario. The budget also includes a proposal to give free university and college tuition to low-income students.

cont'd...


Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/canada-free-money_us_56df181ee4b0000de4063880
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Canada Is About To Start Giving Away Free Money (Huffington Post) (Original Post) inanna Mar 2016 OP
Basic Income OkSustainAg Mar 2016 #1
And you probably don't make much money in doing so.. angstlessk Mar 2016 #2
Actually OkSustainAg Mar 2016 #3
Actually no one OWNS their property angstlessk Mar 2016 #4
I can't earn a salary or buy things without paying taxes FBaggins Mar 2016 #7
Meaningless, low paid "work" is probably one of the biggest stress factors inanna Mar 2016 #5
Exactly. Why give it to banks? They won't spend it. nt bemildred Mar 2016 #6

OkSustainAg

(203 posts)
1. Basic Income
Wed Mar 9, 2016, 04:48 PM
Mar 2016

is also being tried in EU countries in the north. I see this as the way of testing the Post-Work society. Large manufacturing is going away and becoming more automated. They are not coming back. People will be able to become more self actuated and less defined by toil. e.g. I Farm because I enjoy it. to me I work. but it is not toil without purpose in my life.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
2. And you probably don't make much money in doing so..
Wed Mar 9, 2016, 09:12 PM
Mar 2016

what a boom to you if there was a check, even a small one to help sustain you!

OkSustainAg

(203 posts)
3. Actually
Wed Mar 9, 2016, 09:39 PM
Mar 2016

I own my homesteaded property and have no debt. I think people are so caught up in the get rich thing. They forget about enriching their lives. I live a Lifestyle that is different from a lot of people. I love to build and create things. I wanted to see if you could live a simple sustainable lifestyle. You can do it.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
4. Actually no one OWNS their property
Wed Mar 9, 2016, 09:58 PM
Mar 2016

Property taxes are like rent, if you cannot afford to pay, you are evicted.

inanna

(3,547 posts)
5. Meaningless, low paid "work" is probably one of the biggest stress factors
Thu Mar 10, 2016, 09:27 AM
Mar 2016

in our society today. Probably one of the biggest reasons behind all of the anxiety-related disorders.

I'm going to quote another DUer who posted a fantastic reply about basic income a while back:

woo me with science

16. +100000 And the benefits...

freeing people from desperation, giving them the space to pursue work and creative activities instead of functioning as desperate cogs in a sick society.

Imagine the potential savings in healthcare and prisons if you remove day-to-day desperation about having enough to survive.

People post those heart-stirring photos of how shelter animals are transformed from hopeless, ugly, pathetic creatures into vibrant, active, busy companions, just by ensuring they have their basic needs met. Yet we are supposed to believe that the same dynamic is unrealistic for human beings.

The goal of a predatory, wealth-hijacking society is the desperation of its workers, because desperate workers are easier to control and exploit. We constantly are fed sick lies about what we can and can't afford to do for people. We pour billions into war.

Government should exist to serve people, not the other way around. And we are not "workers." We are human beings who should be using government to create societies that enrich us, help us care for one another, and allow us to live, create, and make the most of our short time here on earth.

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024682982#post16


Not sure if you've seen the above thread on this topic.

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