Would you be in favor of a government program that provides basic income to lower-income Americans with no strings attached?

👍 Yes (32%) – "Of the study cited, the major negative was not getting a better job or financial investing. Well, somebody is gonna need to do the toilet cleaning even if we all get a UBI. "Job Quality" is a ridiculous metric. Similarly with financial literacy. Most people getting a UBI haven't had enough money to learn financial literacy on their own. Expecting that to change within a year is lunacy. These things take tame and effort. The fact that people took more time for their kids, were able to go to Healthcare providers more often, and had peace of mind about rent and groceries tells us this is the way to create a healthier and more robust working population for the future of our country."

• "As low-wage work become more & more automated, we're going to need *some* way to support the people that would otherwise have done those jobs. I also think the cut-off for a UBI payment should be high enough that most citizens would qualify for it."

"I would like this to happen, ideally with offering information on health care programs, financial budgeting courses, and other life/education skills/ courses. These shouldn't be mandatory, but great bonus for those interested. That may correct for some of the aspects found in the trial program. If we can't agree on universal health care, this could be a first step towards programs for human benefit."

👎 No (49%) – "The answer to this issue is so much greater than just additional income. Resources, education, support systems... all of these things need to come with it. No-strings-attached income simply band-aids a broken system and increases resentment among middle and upper-class citizens who do not understand the complexity of the issue of poverty. I am not against a program like this, but there needs to be so much more than a simple cash transfer."

• "If you are going to make value judgements on behavior of people based on how they spend their basic income and characterize the choices as positive or negative then wouldn't it be better to define the behavioral choices first as positive or negative and then instead of giving people the money and letting them choose how to spend it simply make the choices identified as positive available to people and the people do not have to pay for them. There is no reason to give people money and then leave it to their free will on how to spend it. if you are going to let other people spend my money, then shouldn't I have some influence on how they spend it?"

"There is no free money. Someone is paying for it. The effort to make it, is what makes things meaningful. UBI is just another form of welfare. It keeps people down and asking why am I not getting more, instead of them making an effort to improve their circumstances."

• "The current approach falls short because it doesn't equip individuals with the necessary skills to secure employment or advance to better jobs, save money, or develop other essential tools for self-sufficiency. It's merely a temporary fix, like a band-aid on a larger wound. What we truly need are programs that cultivate skill development and provide practical training on how to generate income. Additionally, we need programs focused on wellness and health to empower individuals in managing their mental and physical health. By educating people on these critical aspects, we can ensure they are well-rounded and prepared to handle life's challenges. This holistic approach will enable long-term financial stability, independence, and overall well-being."

"Just giving people money does nothing to teach them financial literacy and money management. It is a well know fact that it generally takes two generations to rise out of poverty. Those receiving free money’ should be required to attend a weekly class on money management as well as weekly class on how to get a better job. People in poverty are victims of ‘lack of knowledge’ and ‘how to apply best practices’ to their everyday lives. Giving someone money without requiring them to learn how to manage it will never help anyone to rise out of poverty."

🤷 Unsure/other (19%) – "I think it's an amazing idea but I'd love to see more research to determine the impact to make sure we're doing it in a sustainable way that is actually helping the right people and in turn helps our society. When you look at social security and how we've been paying for so long and say it's running out of money, I would caution we go foward in a smart and appropriate way so the same issues wouldn't arise for a basic income system."

• "I can see both sides of this. I have no problem with someone getting financial aid when circumstances occur that are beyond their control. The hope is that it’s temporary. The problem is when there’s no incentive to find another or better job and continue to rely on government assist. It’s a double edged sword."