[VeilEm]

Post-vietnam war the US became a lot more conservative. 1980's saw "trickle down economics" (giving money to rich people would trickle down to everyone, seriously), increased mandatory jail times, three strikes laws, increased funding for war against drugs, white flight from the cities to gaited communities. A lot of these trends seem to be slowing or even reversing a bit, one can hope.

[dawnbreez]

On trickle-down economics:

It is true that rich people tend to fund things like large businesses, which then pay middle-class workers. However, giving them free money gives them no reason to actually use that money to fund more businesses. Why invest when Uncle Sam gives you an allowance?

Solid reasoning, terrible plan.

[njharman]

Cut out the middle man and just pay people directly.

[dawnbreez]

I do like the Basic Income Guarantee, but have yet to do any math on how efficient it is compared to the US's welfare system.

Ideally, the money would come in the form of a standardized cheque, to be handed out once a month to anybody who is 18 or older and can come to the local DMV and provide proof of citizenship. Unclaimed money goes toward funding the program, getting more workers into DMVs to handle traffic, and (again, ideally) could be sent to a charity of the recipient's choice.