Originally published at: https://participatoryeconomy.org/how-do-those-who-do-not-work-get-income-in-a-participatory-economy/
This article is part of a series of short pieces on the theme of what it would be like to live in a Participatory Economy. Less than half of Americans have fulltime jobs. On what basis will those not working as members of worker councils have income? We assume that rules for who qualifies for living…
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What about people who work a job that demands less sacrifice than average? How can one prevent poverty?
I do not know where this person (System?) got the figure of over 50% of jobs being part-time. According to AI (can we believe it?) but also the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that figure is 82.4% in the US. Mybe tht person is judging what is full-time differently. Either way, The public just has to support a partial r full UBI (Universal Basic Income) for all those in the US. That’s a lot of money, but we can also stop spending over $1 trillion ($1.5 trillion for 2027) on weapons, start taxing the wealthy enough to discourage them from making more than they really need, do transaction taxes on money transactions (like selling or buying stock), sell resources for what they are really worth or, better yet, start fining corporations that pollute, and there are a lot of other ways to make money to redistribute so everyone has enough. And if a referendum were held, (available in about half US states), I’ll bet it would win (tho most rich folks would try to buy that election).
That’s a simple solution, and there are variations on how that could work. Easy? No. Possible? Yes, if we stop spending all our time wishing for A different economy and start organizing for one (see appeal for New England gathering).
Larry Dansinger (207) 262-3706 or larryd@myfairpoint.net
PS from Larry Dansinger,
Even just joining the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) would be a good first step. They are a bit timid but heading in the right direction.