[rightlane]

This honestly rubs me the wrong way. I have very close friends who mightily struggle financially but they are always just outside the threshold for assistance. Basic statistics don't capture the people who are barely making it or living on debt.

The appeal to me of UBI was always that it was highlighting that everyone needs their basic needs met. The moderately paid worker barely making rent in SF needs the money as much as anybody but would never pass a means test.

[bombcar]

It sounds harsh and mean, but banning unsecured credit cards outright would probably help tons of people in the long run.

[codinghorror]

it's "yes, and". Help those people who are selling their blood to buy happy meals first. I am not exaggerating. I wish I was. Check out the book "$2.00 a day: Living On Almost Nothing in America" for so much evidence. Disclaimer: I know the author now. Because I have to. It's related to the work we're doing. https://www.google.com/search?q=%242+a+day%3A+living+on+almo...

Beyond that, maybe SF really is too expensive a place to live in.

[bombcar]

I think too many people (especially here, but it's understandable) think poverty just is "barely making rent".

Oh, that's the rich poverty! There are so many layers below that where it ceases to be poverty and starts being something else entirely, an entire alternate system of bartering and deals and staying alive day to day.

[micromacrofoot]

> The moderately paid worker barely making rent in SF needs the money as much as anybody

You should look into how not true this is. Financial strain is not financial insecurity.