Switzerland to vote on universal basic income in referendum on Sunday

I feel like UBI is inevitable, happy to see a nation try it out and see what comes from it practically. As technology advances more and more, the need for human labour will become less and less.

Look at Retail - self serve supermarkets and now fast food.
Look at Logistics - Automated warehouses, how long until self driving trucks?
Look at Manufacturing - Has been happening for years but with 3d printing and the like, more and more components can be manufactured by machines.
Look at many office jobs where better smarter computer programs mean you can achieve the same functionality with less staff.

I feel like the rejection of UBI is often very ideological but to me it seems like it will eventually be a necessity. There won't be enough jobs one day because machines will simply do it better, cost less and never complain.

Time will tell.

 

This is utopian living, or perhaps even approaching communism. Not having a go at it but without something to drive people forward I struggle to see society flourishing. Maybe something beyond money/material goods could be found but....

 

Is basic income communism? The short answer is “no.” Communism, by definition, is a system of common ownership, hence the name “communism,” but in basic income there is no system of common ownership assumed.

The problem with communism is that common ownership, meaning “everything is owned by the state,” just doesn’t work. But instituting a system of universal basic income does accomplish much of what Marx had in mind without the problems that arise from a centrally planned economy.


Is Basic Income Communism?

 

How is it in any way communism?

if you own a factory today and this policy is brought in tomorrow you will still own that factory, it's your workers that will find themselves potentially having more in their pocket.

if it was communism that factory woild be taken off you.

incidentally communism goes against my entire ethos as someone who has started and been involved in close to 10 businesses but I do think there are potentially some lessons for our capitalist societies to learn from them and other "crazy" regimes.

Cuba has a higher literacy rate than America and I believe australia too. it also has, according to director general of the world health organisation, one of the best healthcare systems in the world. in Cuba, often small problems are prevented from becoming big problems due to a focus on regular checkups, prevention vs cure etc. in America, if you get cancer you can endup bankrupt. in Cuba, if you get cancer you'll get free, skilled medical care.


in libya, a house was considered a human right, there was free education, medical care and electricity for citizens and if a Libyan needed specialist medical care that their cpantry could not provide the govt would pay for their treatment overseas.

hard to argue that in the above aspects at least that citizens there had/have benefits the average American and many aussies could only dream of.

 

Soundly defeated 77% to 23 %. Talking to a guy there today, people didn't want to pay for it, ultimately seen as not viable and a work disincentive.

 

Dole bludgers will be crying into their bongs all over Switzerland today.

 

Free money? No thanks, say Swiss voters

The reason for the opposition isn't what you'd expect, either. Most aren't worried that a universal basic income would disincentivise workers from finding jobs or turn Switzerland into a Marxist dystopia.

The fear is the guarateed income would make the country too attractive to economic migrants.
True?

 

Is both I think.

 

I had a chat with a medico who'd just come back from a holiday in Cuba, although she get severely ill over there, came back to Oz for treatment. The drugs of choice were non-branded copies of the western medicines with dubious dates and properties. All imported and labelling illegible - she wasn't game.

She'd agree that the health system is first class for a third world country but not by first world standards.

 

Swiss voters say no to guaranteed free money

 

Not really... this quote is from the right wing SVP who try to distort everything into anti-foreigner rhetoric. They were behind the silly poster ads I posted earlier.

The reality is most Swiss welcome foreigners which make up 20% of the population. Also it takes over 12 years of residency (which is hard to get in the first place) to become a citizen and be eligible for this proposed handout, voting, etc.

 

So, by the time that you qualify for the dole, you're probably going to be eligible for the pension & a gold watch?

 

I totally agree. However I didn't think you lost the payment if you worked, so I will have to research that one.

 

I think we should go back to a feudal system.

Sir Datto.

 

Exactly the same. If you are penalised for working I don't think it will be as effective.

 

I thought so, now that makes sense.