A Guide to Basic Income: Frequently Asked Questions about UBI
Unconditional Basic Income 101

Over the years I've been asked many questions about the idea of a basic income guarantee. Some are asked far more than others, and so I've made a point of writing various articles and blog posts to answer many of these questions. Whatever question you may have about basic income, please look below and see if there's a link for it. There's a good chance there will be. If there isn't, please let me know what you'd like to see me add.
What is basic income and in general why should I support it?
Wouldn't it cost more than the entire federal budget to provide everyone basic income?
Isn't basic income something we may need in the future, but not right now? ... Are you sure? Is technological unemployment even real in an economy considered to be at full employment?
Don't policies like increased education and job training programs make more sense than basic income?
Why not just give people stuff like food and housing instead of cash they can use to buy food and housing? Additional answer involving Soylent
Why not just lower taxes instead of providing universal basic income?
How much will basic income cost to implement in the United States?
Does enough money even exist for basic income, taxed or not?
Is it true that basic income can even save us money? In what ways?
What kind of taxes (or other ways of raising revenue) should we use to pay for basic income?
Have you crunched the numbers and have a somewhat detailed funding plan for basic income? Here also is a very detailed plan from 2006
How will people work if all they have is a basic income and robots take all the jobs?
Won't basic income hurt the economy and lead to lower productivity?
Won't many people just waste their basic incomes on things like drugs, alcohol, and gambling?
Won't many people just waste their time watching movies and playing video games with basic income?
Won't immigration skyrocket as everyone rushes into the US to get their basic income?
Is basic income anti-market or can it actually improve the way markets function?
Don't we already have basic income, and we just call it welfare?
Wouldn't a negative income tax make more sense than a fully universal basic income?
Isn't $1,000 per month too low to be considered sufficient for basic needs?
Should the amount of basic income vary by city because some places cost more than others?
Shouldn't all this talk about basic income actually be talk about basic resources?
Does basic income reduce or increase income/wealth inequality?
I've read that basic income will actually increase poverty. Is that true? Are you sure?
Doesn't basic income leave traditionally marginalized groups and those with special needs worse off?
Is there anyone who will be worse off with universal basic income?
Will the cost of basic income be borne on the shoulders of the middle class?
Isn't basic income simply just plain wrong in a moral sense?
Is it true there are already basic incomes in the Netherlands, Finland, and Germany?
By what year at the latest will there be universal basic income in the United States?
Can we circumvent government and directly implement basic income via cryptocurrencies?
I read the above link and I laughed. Basic income is impossible. Are you stupid?
Questions About Me
What do you mean when you say you personally already have a basic income?
Have you created any basic income slide decks I could study and even adapt/use?
Have you been to a conference entirely about basic income before?
Basic Income Movement Materials
*What organization can I join to be a part of the basic income movement?
Where can I find a list of books about or involving basic income so I can study it in greater depth?
Where can I find a list of YouTube videos to learn more and share about basic income?
Where can I study and discuss the idea of basic income with others?
How do I add the rounded #basicincome hashtag to my name like you have on your Twitter account?
How can I keep up to date on everything basic income all over the world?
Can I buy any clothing like T-shirts to wear my support for basic income?
Like my work? Please subscribe to my News Flash and also consider making a small monthly pledge in support of my daily work in advocacy of UBI. You can also book some time to chat with me on Zoom if you have questions about UBI you'd like to ask me directly.
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Cover image credit: https://flic.kr/p/5DeuzB
