Cedars, September 2019

September 2019 11 ANALYSIS Has UBI ever been tried? The theory was tried with success in Dauphin, Canada, in the 1980s, seeing increased income security and higher rates of education. Right now, Stockton, California, is con- ducting an experiment in UBI. The city launched the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration, whereby 125 people who live in census tracts at or below the city’s median household income receive $500 on a debit card on the 15th of each month. TIME Magazine profiled one of its recipients, who mentioned feeling “empowered” at being able to choose how she spends the money received. Over time, the benefits or detriments of the system will become clear. With the thick of campaign season fast approaching, voters should pay significant at- tention to Yang. If implemented, his ideas will change the structure of our nation’s welfare system and revolutionize America’s approach to labor. Alex Hentschel is a senior International Studies and Spanish double major and the Off-Campus News Editor for Cedars. She enjoys sociology, black coffee, and honest de- bate, preferably all at once. UBI does not reflect the fact that work is a gift from God, created for us by God before the Fall, that we should steward His garden. To become who God has called us to be, we are to serve others through effective stewardship of others, and working in the market is a primary way to do that in our economy. Dr. Jeff Haymond, Dean and Professor of Economics UBI is an interesting solution in search of a problem. Alexander Kidd, sophomore Economics major Universal basic income ... historically, and statistically brings about substantive social benefits and helps us to deal with an increasingly automated workforce. Silas La Borde, debate captain, senior Global Business major UBI is designed with good goals in mind, but is a very expensive proposal that relies on the assumption that the tech companies of the future will be located in the United States, and able to pay the necessary taxes to fund all 330 million (and growing) American citizens at the very least, $12,000/year. Moreover, at this stage, UBI test pilots are limited, so we do not know how large numbers of people will react to “free”money — it has the potential to disincentivize work. Dr. Glen Duerr, Ph.D., Associate Professor of International Studies There is no evidence that UBI causes people to quit working or waste money on drugs and alcohol. In fact, dozens of case studies have actually shown the opposite with reduced school dropout rates, improved health and no reductions in working hours seen in places where UBI has been adopted ... [it] is an attempt to address a growing problem which is likely to develop into a full-blown crisis if measures are not taken to address it soon. Timothy Mattackal, CU alumni, Assistant Auditor of State for Ohio FOR AGAINST NEUTRAL