[bhauer]

Exactly, and most basic income proposals would cut other social safety net systems in like amounts. So the net outlay by the government (in money it doesn't actually create; it just confiscates or prints) is the same. The latter gives the recipient the freedom to choose how to use their basic income, giving them incentive to select fair trades rather than just consuming all of the free stuff regardless of actual cost. This actually drives prices downward.

However, it does remove the political power of the central planning committees. And that is concerning to some.