Wow, I can't believe the "free market" argument is being used to justify top military leaders serving other countries. I guess we aren't a country anymore. Just one big (free) market.
Sounds like your friends are simply unmotivated to voluntarily work for a system they believe is corrupt.
Laziness has always been a capitalist codeword for "noncompliant worker."
Also, you have to look at the bigger picture here. We can't just put our blinders on and ignore the conditions of this natural UBI experiment, as you are putting it. There was no sense that with this UBI--it wasn't--they were going to be productive members of some socialist society. No, it was a moment where people felt like it was their turn to exploit a system that has been exploiting them since they were children.
I agree with the sentiment that in this context, under the current conditions created by corporate capitalism, UBI would be a horrible idea. It would be better for the people in the long run if they --we--we're out in the streets than packed away in some small rat hole of an apartment, suckling on the corporate dole.
...most religions have some apocalyptical component. We have been thinking about our extinction for thousands of years. This is just more fear mongering by an ever increasingly psychopathic mainstream press.
Don't buy into the fear. These people are obviously trying to scare us into submission so they can control the entire world. The only thing that is at risk of dying is their control over us.
For those who say there is no "they," and that it's outlandish conspiracy theory to say such things... look at the wealth inequality in the world. We do not exert equal influence on the system. I must repeat: we do not exert equal influence on the system. Our influence is becoming slimmer and slimmer every year. In fact, most of us have been completely marginalized out of the power process. There is a "they." There are puppets and string pullers. It's uncomfortable to realize the world we are truly living in, but the real threat we face is the desire to remain ignorant and asleep.
The government is broke. They will just have to take on more debt to make the proposed business "reparations." I think it's all gone. There's nothing that can fix what has happened to this nation... from the criminal monetary policies to this situation...America is gone.
If that's your position, then people will begin resorting to violence. Your property is only secured by force. Put the people in desperate situations and they will no longer play by the rules which put them at an extreme disadvantage.
This is the lesson every corrupt nation learns the hard way. We agree to the laws of the nation to secure peace, but when that peace becomes oppressive, when that peace means slavery to the oligarchy, that peace is no longer peace but silent war.
The people will not tolerate this extreme inequality anymore.
Edit: to those claiming what I've said is "hateful" or incendiary...this is simply the truth -- as proven by history. Don't shoot the messenger.
You: The government messed it up. The government needs to fix it.
Government: Absolutely! We too would also like to become a larger socialist entity that puts everyone on the dole. We will fix it all for you! Just give us complete control!
If that was the case, then why aren't our schools teaching white supremacy and nationalism? Isn't the opposite the case?
Also, what's wrong with nationalism? Isn't it better to have nations who are interested in the well being of their people as opposed to a world controlled by globalist corporations?
It seems to me like the people have been conditioned against nationalism and towards globalism which favors corporate control.
"Fascism," "democracy," what's the difference? There's always an elite class pulling the strings. The world has always been a mess. The only thing that is dying is our illusions.
Edit: for those that downvote me, go tell the millions living in violent poverty how magical democracy is. There will always be a show. What matters is who's putting on the show.
> Outlawing unproven medical claims, and actually enforce the law?
Would faith based approaches fall under your definition of "unproven medical claims?"
I get what you are saying, but if someone wants to take their chances on some "quackery," shouldn't it be their right to do so? Obviously this individual knew that he was engaging in alternative medicine that is not recognized by the mainstream.
I don't believe in this particular alternative medicine, but I don't believe established science understands everything in this world and believe individuals should retain the right to explore alternative perspectives.
Truly late stage capitalism here.