Guilty as charged. Maybe… but either way - how will a base income from the government accomplish this? "Free" money from Uncle Sam doesn't indicate belief in me or tell me I've failed. It's just an amount that gets loaded on my debit card every month. I'm still not saying this is a bad idea - I just don't know if we can predict the total outcome. For a large chunk of people, it would be amazing. I'm thinking of the hard working single parents who work two jobs for a basic life, who cling to hope that nothing will go wrong. A stipend from the government would give them some breathing room. But for others, it won't make a difference at all. For these people, poverty is a lack of knowing how to manage themselves. It isn't taught by schools, it isn't taught by their parents. Breaking the cycle of poverty is RIDICULOUSLY difficult to do. There is some appeal to just giving everyone a chunk of money and removing other programs like WIC, food stamps, Section 8 housing etc…. I like simplicity. But those programs can offer some controls around how the money is spent. complex issue. complex solution. I wish we could remove some greed, some pride, and some selfishness from all sides.You are an LDS bishop right?
Giving money to someone because you believe in them helps a lot more than paying someones rent because they have failed.
Everyone gets basic income if I understand it right no means testing. nobodies nose is rubbed in anything. (no bureaucracy to pay to do the means testing and nose rubbing ) For the rich it works like a standard deduction for the poor a payout it actually has a following and pedigree on the right. If I remember right. Of course it won't cure the real evils of income inequality which is disenfranchisement and powerlessness. But it will pay the bills and give Mormon Bishops more time to focus on home teaching numbers.
I born and raised in greater Deseret the only place were a Jew is a Gentile.