Should Americans who lose jobs to computers get paid by the government? Many Americans say yes. And with the 2020 presidential election looming, some politicians agree. They’re pushing the government to hand out free money.
Automation is the use of mechanical equipment or computers. As it expands, machines replace people in some jobs. Computers now answer phones and take orders. Machines can clean floors and prepare food.
“If your job is boring and repetitive, you’re probably at great risk of [losing your job to] automation,” says Mark Muro. He co-authored a report from the Brookings Institution this year.
As machines take over, humans are feeling the pinch—in the workforce and in the pocketbook. Financial security for everyone seems like a worthy goal. And giving can be a way to love one’s neighbor. (Proverbs 11:25)
In a fallen world, there will always be greedy people and needy people. Individuals should share from their abundance. But should the government give too?
A 2018 Northeastern University/Gallup poll asked the question this way: “Do you support or not support a universal basic income program as a way to help Americans who lose their jobs because of advances in artificial intelligence?” A full 48% of Americans said they would support such a program for that reason.
Government help isn’t a new concept. Some U.S. states offer income boosts as either payments to all citizens (see “Alaska Oil Dividend Checks”) or payments based on need and disability. Most often, income advocates list job losses from automation and artificial intelligence as the reason for the handouts.
Susie Garza is part of an experiment testing the impact of universal basic income. She gets $500 each month from a nonprofit in California. She can spend the money however she wants. Garza uses $150 for her cellphone bill and another $100 to pay off her dog’s veterinary bills. The rest she spends on her two grandsons—online birthday presents and the big bag of chips at 7-Eleven.
“I’ve never been able to do that. I thought it was just the coolest thing,” says Garza, who is unemployed. “I like it because I feel more independent, like I’m in charge.”
Several Democratic presidential candidates, including Kamala Harris and Andrew Yang, are proposing universal basic income plans.
Getting free money sounds easy and fun. But those funds must come from somewhere. Most income plans call for raising taxes—to as much as 70% for the wealthiest individuals!—or cutting other government programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Social Security. That’s because “free money” isn’t really free.
1st comment!!!
Ya, I can comment!
Free money? No, no, no.....
No. Free money leads to govorment control. Leads to ration cards. Leads to communism. This is not good. Especially with the socialists running for president. This is how it starts. We could end up like Korea if were not carful. Oh America.......
ps
Free money is Not free. Who dose it come from? The everyday working American people. There is a easy whay to stop this. Stop making robots and stop having then takeover jobs.
I don't think this is a good idea!
America is already $22 trillion in debt!!! Now we are giving away free money to reward people who are not working. Seriously 70% increase in taxes. The government is taking away people's hard-earned money and give it to people who are spending it on a bag of chips at 7-Eleven and paying phone bills. If you get free money you should at least use it wisely. Eventually, people will be completely depending on the government for this "free" money and no one will be providing the tax money to make it possible. I don't understand how this is a good idea!!!!!
@Zoey W
Although I do not believe in free money for everyone paying your phone bill is not using it unwisely.
I don't think this will turn
I don't think this will turn out well, because some people who get free money will use it unwisely. Like that lady in the article: Paying for phone bills and vet visits are one thing, but chips from 7-Eleven? Really?
Yay!!! Communism!
Just kidding. If the government becomes communist, I’m moving to Japan. Also, a robot can’t take your job if you code robots!
@ Josh
Lol you scared me! ✓✓
@Bethsarah G
PLEASE CLick on this link.
https://teen.wng.org/node/5726
@Josh T
isnt the Japan government communist?
or is that Russia?
China?
@Glorianna B
I'm pretty sure the Japanese government isn't communist but I'm not sure what it is.
Human<Machine
I believe automation will lead to the death of ethical capitalism.
Capitalism is built on human labor, and when it's no longer economic to employ humans, it's safe to say some radical changes will be needed. Progress is inevitable.
I think they should give the
I think they should give the people a chance to get other jobs instead of just giving them free money.
@ Zack W
I wish they would stop making all the robots and then give peoples jobs away. How old are you?
Everyone read this book!
Everyone read this book! "Whatever happened to penny candy?" by Richard J. Malbury. everything you need to know about "free" money and inflation! Nice simple short book.
Yes I agree with Nadia, if
Yes I agree with Nadia, if the goverment hands out free money they have to much control and that will lead to socialism, and you can see how that’s working out for them, their people starving, not enough money to supply themselves, and the goverment has taken away their guns so they can’t try to fight back. And if we’re not careful socialists will take away right as Americans to bear arms. Like the second emendmeant says.
@ C S
I read "Whatever Happened to Penny Candy" in school. It was interesting.
@C S
I will in two or three years.
Penny Candy
I wish there was penny candy. Now there's only $0.25 candy.
@ Nadia A.
I know, if you had like 10 dollars in the 1800's to the early 1900's you were rich!
adding onto my above comment...
It's just weird how prices and our perspectives have changed so much over time.
@ Lena P
haha! I know!! I would be sooooooooooo rich back then!!
@ Nadia A.
Ha ha, me too!
@Nadia A
Me three
Free money?
I personally think, that if you can’t get a job, or refuse to get a job, then you shouldn’t mooch of off other people’s hard work earned money.
At my church on Sunday the
At my church on Sunday the sermon was about where it says "if anyone will not work let him not eat". Of course this doesn't mean people who are unable to get a job or work, but it does apply to people who plain won't work.
@ Beth G
Are you the one who watches super book? sorry I don't remember?
@Nadia A
Yes
The newest superbook
https://www.cbn.com/giving/special/SBDVDClub.aspx?cpid=GVSL0228&intcmp=G...
To Above
Click on the watch preview. It's in red
@NA
Thanks
To Above
Welcome ☺☺
@Bethsarah G&other people
its sweet she wants to buy gifts for her grandkids
https://teen.wng.org/node/5762
@Bethsarah G&other people
its sweet she wants to buy gifts for her grandkids
https://teen.wng.org/node/5723
sorry, i thought it would
sorry, i thought it would bring up a different page.don't clic on those theydont work
https://teen.wng.org/node/5726
this is the one i meant to do
The Government should give out money
Personally, I feel that if a robot is going to take over someone’s job, that person should just get paid by the government, because eventually automatons will be able to take over every job and no one will be able to make money.
@ Nathan
Do you live in the United States?
@Nathan
Where does the money come from?
@Thomas
"Idiots! They've just trained people not to get jobs if they lose them! Idiots I say, idiots!" That was great, man. I feel like you should turn that into a bumper sticker. "Idiots, I say, idiots!"
@ J A
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
@NM
(Call me Josh) Hmm what? it's rather simple.
@ Josh
Oh.sorry. :-) call me Nadia. :-)
Identity
So are Nadia A and N&M A the same?
To Above
yes. We changed it for privacy. : )
I don't know if I agree with
I don't know if I agree with this, a few countries in Europe have tried it and it failed. maybe the government should have you go to some kind of facility, where they do a background check and see if you actually need it.
@Philip
Good idea in theory, but in practice it would probably cost a load to keep those facilities up and people who actually need it dont always ask.
automatons are what our government needs to become communist
I know it sounds crazy, but if no one worked and it was only robots that did manual labor and if the government owned all the businesses then the government would be able to give out money because we would all just give it back to them by shopping.
I live in the US
By the way, I do live in the United States
@Nathan
Your good that happens a lot!
@Nathan
Yeah I guess it would work if the government actually gave you money though but you know that with all the politics and stuff it wouldn't work very well. One race would get more then another or something weird. Where in the states do you live I live in Idaho.
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