GBI (Guaranteed Basic Income) is a program that will give every citizen a set amount of money to help them live life productively. It is a hand up for someone earning minimum wage, and a lifeline to those that can not work. GBI will be provided by the nation, and will deposit into everyone’s account on the first day of the month. And since computers do not need weekends off, this means the money can deposit even on a Sunday.
GBI has its limits. While it may seem utopian to give everyone 500% of poverty, and make it so they never have to work, this is not reality. The more every person receives in GBI, the more that taxes will have to account for that. With that in mind, GBI is designed as a hand up, and not a hand out. If you can not work, there is money to help keep your dignity. If you are able to work, you can make better decisions about working where you want to, or go to school to become a more productive member of society. No one wakes up satisfied that they receive less than poverty as their only source of income. With that said, GBI does not promote laziness.
So how much is calculated for GBI? Well, it will depend on what type of citizen you are. Non-Citizens do not receive GBI. Even if they are in the nation legally, they will not receive a GBI. GBI is simply put – available for citizens of the nation. You can be a Kaldan citizen living in another country, you will still receive your GBI (albeit in Kaldan Dollars). What you receive is based on the following:
- Free citizens: 85% of poverty
- Incarcerated citizens: 50% of poverty
- Guardian asset: 20% of poverty per child
- Child: 20% of poverty
So what does this mean. Well, let’s go down the line. Poverty is $1,300 per month. A free citizen will receive 85% of $1,300 which will be $1,105 per month. An incarcerated citizen will receive $650 per month. A guardian of a child or children will receive $260 per child. This money applies to the head of the household. In addition, the child will also receive $260. This will apply even if the account is pre-active. This means if the child activates their account on their 18th birthday and there is no inflation, the child will have $56,160 for them to do with as they please. Once a child turns 18, the guardian will no longer receive a guardian asset payment, and the new adult will receive as a free citizen (unless incarcerated).
Now, let’s address a couple of issues. First, someone may feel that an incarcerated individual should not be mooching off the national government. The fact that they are incarcerated is punishment enough. This amount will provide the incarcerated citizen with the resources to get new underwear, or socks. This money will also likely be used to acquire hygiene items. What’s left might go to the purchase of music to help pass the free time away. An incarcerated citizen is still a citizen even if they made poor choices in life.
As for the child, everyone who had a child will attest that a child is an added expense. While 20% of poverty is not a lot, it is again – a hand up, and not a hand out. For the child to receive a GBI to go directly to their bank account may seem unfair as well, but the money that is saved could likely pay for a higher education, therefore allowing the child to earn more money. If they want to start a home business, they can do so with that money. If the child activates their account before 18 years old, then they likely made an arrangement with their guardian to pay for some of the cost of living.