World Germany: If you were handed $1,100 a month, would you amount to anything?

[tom_mai78101]

Would Germany be a better place if each citizen received a no-strings-attached government check for $1,100 a month?

Would people still get out of bed each day and go to work or do something else productive even with that unconditional basic income of 1,000 euros, less than half the average German monthly wage, but more than twice what those on welfare receive?

Those are among the questions being examined in a small real-life experiment called "Mein Grundeinkommen" (My Basic Income) taking place in Germany — where 26 people thus far are being given $1,100 a month to do whatever they want with.

The privately operated project, financed by crowdfunding donations, has injected new life into an old debate in Germany about utopian ideals. The idea of a "basic wage" is also touching a nerve in Germany and across Europe amid a rise in poverty and an increase in the number of working poor.

If you were handed $1,100 a month, would you amount to anything?

Would Germany be a better place if each citizen received a no-strings-attached government check for $1,100 a month?

www.latimes.com

 

[Slapshot136]

I might actually be able to finish some of the projects I started

 

[Varine]

But would you? And the answer is probably no.

 

[Accname]

Yeah, sure, give them all money. Why not. Fuckin parasites.
Wouldnt that lead to inflation though? If you know that everybody has at least 1000€ more per month you could raise all of your prices. Why not? they have the money now!

 

[FireCat]

government check for $1,100 a month?

That sounds way too low.

 

[jonas]

Yeah, sure, give them all money. Why not. Fuckin parasites.
Wouldnt that lead to inflation though? If you know that everybody has at least 1000€ more per month you could raise all of your prices. Why not? they have the money now!

It depends on what other policy changes you make... Basic income usually also means no more tax-free income and a stark reduction in other social transfers, which in the sum for most people is around the money given out as basic income. The main difference is likely to be the reduced bureaucratic effort and, in cases where social transfers are coupled with government investigation (since the government distrusts the poor), more privacy (and dignity).

 

[Slapshot136]

But would you? And the answer is probably no.

I said some - I think I would actually finish the fun ones (like building a quadcopter)

 

[Varine]

Or you would spend it on weed.

 

[The Helper]

I would amount to 1100 more bucks a month then I do now