> The only way a basic income can avoid being politicized and destroyed is by making it truly unconditional.
Good luck with that. Do you pay citizens, or residents, or perhaps the intersection of them? Do you pay only adults? Or every one who has been born? How dead do you have to be to no longer get the money? (Ie keep your relatives on the machines for longer for money?)
Anyway, I agree with your sentiment. But it's not as clear cut in practice. You still have conditions.
Good luck with that. Do you pay citizens, or residents, or perhaps the intersection of them? Do you pay only adults? Or every one who has been born? How dead do you have to be to no longer get the money? (Ie keep your relatives on the machines for longer for money?)
One would draw whatever line results in the least ambiguity and the lowest enforcement cost. Regarding end-of-life decisions, that's what medical ethics, living wills, and single-payer healthcare are for.
Good luck with that. Do you pay citizens, or residents, or perhaps the intersection of them? Do you pay only adults? Or every one who has been born? How dead do you have to be to no longer get the money? (Ie keep your relatives on the machines for longer for money?)
Anyway, I agree with your sentiment. But it's not as clear cut in practice. You still have conditions.