this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2024
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Yes, theoretically there are "advocates" from grassroots charities, but I think up here they must only be for much bigger stuff (like people who are made homeless or having their kids benefit taken and can't feed them etc).
I've never been able to get an advocate here for my issues, despite asking Citizens Advice and the legal aid people, and phoning the Auckland poverty action for recs. And to be honest I wouldn't for something like this when there are people who need it much more.
Oh right, there are so many people having major issues with WINZ that there aren't any advocates left for the ones having more 'minor' problems. What's that saying, "The measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest" or something.
Oh well, I have to try not to take it personally because otherwise being in society feels very alienating.
Oh for sure they are like this for everyone, it's definitely not personal!
I don't mean them, I mean, like you were saying, what they do to/for me is what our society wants them to do to people like me.
I like to think that's not the case. Most people are not bad people, and don't wish harm on others. However, there is power in how things are presented, and certain groups (including certain political groups) present beneficiaries in a certain way. As a mob, people will have certain opinions, but if they knew the individuals, their opinions would be quite different. I think that's a good reason not to take things personally, despite what people may say about beneficiaries as a group.
One reason (of many) why I want a UBI. They reckon breakfast clubs (free breakfast at school) can risk missing the kids that need it most, because kids don't want other kids to know they need to go there to get breakfast. More effective is giving everyone breakfast, so no one feels like they are the odd one out.
This is one of the reasons why I like KidsCan, when they give out raincoats etc everyone in the class gets one.
I have some reservations about UBI because it seems to me that income inequality is a larger driver of poverty in a monetarist system and it might just prove inflationary. I'd like to see data from long-term trials. (On a personal level it would be better for me I think, but that's not enough to go on).
I don't think there are trials outside short term, small group studies. One of the reasons I want it so badly!
In my mind, you adjust taxes to offset the gain of cash from the UBi, with an intention of leaving everyone about even. This way it shouldn't be too inflationary, if at all.
I also question whether inflation that's driven by handing everyone money equally would actually drive inequality, as opposed to the normal process which is for the businesses to increase prices and give the average person nothing.
When you put it like that if you used tax it shouldn't be inflationary. Right, I'm voting for you at the next election!:)
Hell no, I'm glad we don't do write-in candidates 😆 (I don't think? 🫣 )
No, we don't. Those are spoiled ballots.
(I do think we should do official vote of no confidence though and have a law that if it wins they need to recontest the seat.)
Ooh a "none of the above" option! I like it!