Universal Basic Income is a divisive topic, one that has roots going back to the 18th century.
In recent years, the idea has gained traction amongst left-leaning politicians, think tanks & even entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist Mark Zuckerberg.
The idea itself is relatively simple, but has drawn criticism from the opposing side of the political spectrum.
Proponents of the scheme see it as a way to lift people out of poverty & ensure a happy and healthy, financially stable life for all. Those opposed to UBI think that existing societal problems like drug & alcohol addiction, crime & homelessness would be exacerbated by it, and that it could decrease the existing quality of life for those in vulnerable situations by de-incentivizing the need to work.
On both sides of the argument there is an acknowledgment and a concern that we can, and should be doing more to help those in need.
Ultimately, the direct & non-discriminatory access to a guaranteed monthly cash injection is seen simultaneously as both the greatest triumph, and the deepest flaw in the scheme.
But what exactly does money really mean to us anyway?
Your daily, weekly & monthly expenditure is tailored to your life. As the king or queen of your castle, you know better than anybody how to take money and turn it into a happy & fulfilled life.
If you require a certain type of laundry detergent to not break out in a rash, you know to buy that specific detergent. If you have food allergies & intolerances, you would always choose to avoid those ingredients, wouldn’t you?
Access to cash affords you agency.
Agency is defined as “the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices”. Your money affords you agency to make the right choices in your life.
If you were to find yourself down on your luck, and a friend offered to wash your clothes for you, but they didn’t have the allergen-friendly detergent you’d become accustomed to, you’d still be grateful no doubt, but it wouldn’t tick all the boxes you’re used to.
If you were going hungry and that same friend offered to help, but your dietary restrictions left you unable to eat certain food products, again you’d still be grateful but it wouldn’t quite be the same as being able to choose exactly what you needed, would it?
Access to cash provides us with agency, the freedom to choose & make those decisions that only we know to be the right ones for ourselves.
Agency empowers & emboldens us all.
A UBI scheme would certainly provide agency to those in vulnerable situations, but until there’s a viable way to address the concerns of those against it, it may be quite some time until we see a workable version of the scheme rolled out in the USA.
Politicians will happily debate Universal Basic Income for years to come, but all the while there are millions of families across the country who are struggling to make ends meet.
So what can we do? How can we help those in need, but as safely as possible?
The answer is Pocket 2 Pocket Giving.
A safe, trackable & totally transparent way to help others, Pocket 2 Pocket Giving allows you to donate more than just money.
It allows you to donate the right to self determination & the right to choose, it allows you to give the gift of agency to a vulnerable family.
By becoming an ESTHER account holder today, you’ll be paired up with a verified family in need. Your anonymous donations will allow others to lift themselves up, and work towards a stable & fulfilling life.
Recipients receive an ESTHER card, where your donation is distributed on a monthly basis.
All of the transactions are carefully monitored by the ESTHER team, and high risk merchant codes like gambling, alcohol, cash withdrawals and certain online purchases are automatically turned off, meaning that you know your donation is only being spent on family essentials.
A Universal Basic Income scheme could indeed be the lifeline that so many families need, but it could also be a disaster waiting to happen.
Either way, we shouldn’t be blindfolded by the debate.
Learn more about ESTHER here, and help a family in need here.