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National & World Issue

Should the U.S. give every American adult $1,000 per month in Universal Basic Income as a way to combat poverty? #UBI

Score for this "Yes" opinion : 8.4

"#EradicatePoverty with direct financial assistance" Sep 18, 2024

In a #capitalist society where everyone is running behind money, the poor and unprivileged people have neither a worthy present nor a guaranteed future. Those who inherit wealth go to the top one percent of the country, seeing things from a completely different angle. However, on the other extreme, a portion of the society in the United States spend their nights homeless without any expectations about their next meal. This is where the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI) comes to play, to eradicate poverty and inequalities. 

A well-implemented UBI program is enough to clear the economic inequalities that capitalism has injected into society. While both groups of people live in the same country, the wealthiest 1% are earning 196 times more than that of the average middle-class person, not to mention that poverty is still not an issue for the middle-class. Things worsen when it comes down to the most vulnerable section of society, i.e., the lowest class. According to the United States Census Bureau in 2019, the poverty rate in the United States was 10.5%. The other major problem is that these people are not evenly distributed across the map, and in some states, it becomes impossible to live with this poverty. Poverty is bound to trickle down in the generations to come, and the inequality will only rise in the upcoming years if not revamped with the UBI as early as possible. 

Another pervasive problem in the social fabric of the United States is that most governments take reactive approaches to eliminate poverty and inequality rather than a preventive approach. For instance, they will introduce tax subsidies, social security, unemployment insurance, and other programs of this type after people get poor. Instead, a universal income will be a preventive program that will help eliminate poverty in the shortest possible time. With UBI, poor people will have enough to pay for their basic expenses, and then they can start contributing to society and finding employment. No one can work with an empty stomach, and if people are getting proper care from the government, they will start being able to chase their dreams. This will ultimately result in a stronger economy.

As a matter of fact, the government spends a lot on social #welfare programs in the United States. The idea of UBI can become a reality with these funds, and too much extra funding will not be needed. It will be a sort of preventive program rather than a reactive program, so governments don't have to worry again and again for the future of the people. 

Ultimately, people will be happier and satisfied that will encourage them to play their part in the fabric of society. Upward social mobility is guaranteed with this program, and the lower strata of the society will move upward. They will pay more in taxes, and the economy of the United States will be stronger than ever in the times to come.

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