Quote Originally Posted by rory_20_uk View Post
Odd that it's pinko. With a defined payout it can be easily adjusted as is a lot more difficult to cheat than the current system, plus has far fewer overheads, allowing for a small state. Few systems let people literally starve to death, and this seems to be the simplest way to both prevent starvation and encourage work. The fast efflux of workers from non-jobs in the state bureaucracy would also help make the country more economically effective, as the labour market would be expanded and less overheads to pay their state wages.

But then what Civil Servant is going to put forward a plan to sack probably thousands of their colleagues and make some powerful enemies in the meantime?

In the Neds we have a welfare scheme (called Wajong) for young people who are unable to work fulltime due to a handicap, either physical or mental. They receive a very modest basic income from the state, they must declare any money they make for themselves and this amount is then partially deducted from next month's income. Works very well because these people get time to find their niche, which is often difficult in view of their handicap, in order to become productive members of society. One girl I know, who has episodes of borderline behaviour about once every two months, is on this scheme and she does lots of low-paid jobs like giving extra lessons in maths to migrant kids, editing and distributing a church newspaper and organising musical events for her church.

AII