Frequently asked questions about basic income

1 19. 06. 2013
6th international conference of exopolitics, history and spirituality

The basic unconditional income is like air under the wings of birds, thanks to which each of us can freely and calmly decide where he wants to live his life, what is important to him in life and what he wants to create in his life.

 

Who accepted the idea in the EU? Which country?

ZNP has been working for a long time in Alaska, where for poorer families it is a big help for part of the year. In Brazil, it is already embedded in the Constitution, its practical use is in the beginning. In Switzerland, the federal initiative, which calls for the implementation of the ZNP, has already received 110000 signatures, and will follow a legitimate referendum where Swiss citizens will be able to decide to implement it. Referendum will be within two years, assumed above could be 2500 CHF per person per month. Interesting pilot projects at introduction of ZNP they are also in Canada and for example in Namibia.

 

Who is in the Organizing Committee for the Czech Republic? 

Marek Hrubec - organizer for the Czech Republic, Iva Gondeková - representative - the possibility of accepting other representatives. the more people get involved, the more they will be able to evoke enthusiasm and hope in our fellow citizens. To begin with, each of us should answer the question: Who, if not me? a When, when not now?

 

How did the EC advise to reformulate the original EOI?

The original EOI did not ask for anything that would be in their competence, so she rejected it. The wording of the existing EOI was not rejected because it requires something within the EC's competence.

 

Progression in ZP? (as in taxes) This is a question of financing 

ZP is unconditional, so everyone gets it, whether they are unemployed or billionaires. But those who will continue to work because they wish to have more than, say, CZK 12000 per month ZNP will pay income taxes, which can be progressive. However, ZNP is an amount that is non-taxable, the next earnings will be taxed. And only if we stick to the current system of taxation. It would be much smarter to tax mainly consumption, not income from work. The new super VAT could replace all other forms of taxation, and we would start to tax both capital and labor directly, and thus human labor would become more affordable than machine labor, which would mean more jobs and at the same time significantly cheaper prices. exports, exempt from VAT, and therefore our international competitiveness. However, speculation about financing is premature, the aim of the EOI is to get the EC to address the possibility of financing and the introduction of ZNP and come up with proposals for solutions. I will leave the final word to Goetz Werner: I would have liked to have thought about the idea of ​​basic unconditional earnings first, and then they started with large calculations. Because my maxim is: If one wants to do something, he must first think about it. If you really want it then you will find a way to do it. However, if one does not want to, he will find the reasons why this can not happen.

 

Relation to Retirement - For Economically Active? Age - children 

All citizens will benefit from ZP - from birth to death, including children (probably half the amount) and retirees. Pensioners will be able to save on a second pillar in order to retire more money than just ZPP.

 

Is it possible to get support from trade unions that could help to collect enough signatures in the Czech Republic? 

It is necessary to meet the trade unionists and to explain the principle of ZNP in detail. The problem, however, is that, thanks to the GNP, it is most likely that not so many unions will be needed because we will finally have something we can call a fair labor market. A person who will have basic basic living and cultural needs thanks to ZNP will already be able to say NO, which can not be done today. The ratio of forces will be balanced, and heavy and uncomfortable work will have to be properly evaluated, as well as an impulse for employers to offer more interesting work for people in the free labor market to be interested. But businessmen will pay off because their employees will be more satisfied and more efficient, and if we enter into financing through super-VAT, their labor costs will be radically reduced, their export options will exponentially increase. Therefore, most trade unions are in favor of ZNP initially reserved, but part of the trade unions in Switzerland openly supports ZNP.

 

The introduction of general basic income should be subject to progressive taxation. Should its introduction in the so-called "flat tax" have no unintended side effects? - to maintain or increase social inequalities?

ZNP is the amount that is non-taxable, the next earnings will be taxed, and some tax progress would be maintained in the case of a flat tax on a non-taxable base. One of the proposals of BIEN CH is:

  1. non-taxable ZNP (about 2500CHF)
  2. 0% Loan Tax to its 1,5 or 2 multiple, equal to 20% tax only for earnings exceeding this amount (1,5x-2x ZNP) + super VAT of about 30%.

Another solution would be to tax only consumption and not income from work. The new super VAT could replace all other forms of taxation, and would start to tax both capital and labor directly, making human labor more affordable than machine labor, which would mean more jobs, while at the same time significantly reduced the price of exports and exempt from VAT, and thus our international competitiveness. However, speculation about financing is premature, the aim of the EOI is to get the EC to consider the possibility of financing and the introduction of ZNP, and to come up with proposals for solutions.

 

How can citizens influence the form of the pending, ad hoc proposal? Or, by collecting signatures, their influence (beyond the presentation in the EP?) Ends.

The purpose of the Revenue Act is also to increase the participation of citizens in public affairs. ZNP is primarily a cultural implulz that will enable each of us to participate more in public and social affairs. How can each of the NAS influence on ZNP to be accepted - there are plenty of options and their listing here would be on multiple sides. To begin with, each of us should answer the question: Who, if not me? a When, when not now?

 

Income Taxation vs. consumer tax

I agree that it would be much smarter to tax mainly consumption and not income from work. The new super VAT could replace all other forms of taxation and would lead to a flat tax on both capital and labor, making human labor more affordable than machine labor, which would mean more jobs, and at the same time significantly reduced exports and exempt from VAT, and thus our international competitiveness. However, speculation about financing is premature, the aim of the EOI is to get the EC to look into the possibility of financing and the introduction of ZNP, and to come up with proposals for solutions.

 

 I recommend that it be remembered that this is not just the extra cost but also the place of other security that is to be provided under the Constitution and the human rights law. Great is the simplicity of the claim (that man is).

I could not answer better than Goetz Werner, so I'll give him a word: Dignity and the right to human life are untouchable in every respect ... Freedom of man is inviolable ... (the meaning of Article 1 and 2 of the German Constitution)

Whoever wants to live, dignified and free, needs something to eat, has to dress, needs a roof over his head - and must have the opportunity to participate in a reasonable political, social and cultural life. Nowhere in our Constitution is it written that it must work for it ...

When the right to life in dignity and freedom is unconditional, the right to food, drink, clothing, accommodation and a fundamental share in social affairs must also be unconditional. And I add with Goetz Werner that many are of the opinion: "if you give the weak to the subsistence minimum, then it is necessary to thoroughly check whether they really cannot work" - what ever it takes. And to force them to work as soon as possible, not to do what they want, but to do any work.

Ultimately, it is forced labor. And that is, by the way, forbidden - in Article 12 of the German Constitution.

 

Maybe premature, but will it be the average salary or how many percent? In order not to be something like the living minimum in the Czech Republic, which can not even live (eat, let alone live).

ZP income must be in a level that ensures a dignified life, incl. housing, food, clothing, and participation in public affairs. If it were lower, it would be a disastrous mistake. The amount under 8000 is inadmissible and I think 10000 is the absolute minimum that we should consider. I am inclined to believe that 12000 is a reasonable and finan- cial amount. The maximum that can be considered is 15000, but it seems difficult to enforce.

 

What level of basic income would be possible in the Czech Republic at present. Please take an example.

The Czech Republic discusses 10 to 15 thous. CZK. The amount under 8000 is unacceptable, and I think 10000 is the absolute minimum we should consider. I am inclined to believe that 12000 is a reasonable and finan- cial amount. The maximum that can be considered is 15000, but it seems difficult to enforce. In Switzerland, the amount of 2500 CHF is quoted, which corresponds to about 12500 CZK, in terms of country's wealth and options, current salaries and purchasing power.

 

In each company, about 5% is called non-connectable. Will this group not grow, and thus the decline in resources?

I believe he will not. Those who do not want to work, do not want to get involved, they will always be a minority - I believe in it. Everyone, without distinction, has the right to a PA. As Goetz Werner said, people who do not want to work, who have always existed and will continue to exist, will not at least block jobs. Those who do not want to work today because the work that is offered to them is either difficult, poorly paid or is not meet, they can either lead your life in a different direction - to raise children, to engage socially, paint pictures ... or find work. which will fulfill them thanks to a free labor market that will have to offer more interesting jobs, or at least better ranked places. Can also because of its kapitílu that comes in the form of ZNP, along with other start up your business ... The question is of course open, but one that gets money from companies that say -TU you, and show what you can do, develop their talents and , as you wish ! also has a certain moral debt to society, and the trust that has been placed on it has a much better incentive effect than bureaucratic humiliation for social benefits and various other orders. By the way, social workers who are now only controlling who has the right to a social girl and checking whether he or she still has the right to receive that benefit will finally be able to do their job and help those who might be here not finding their way, orienting them and helping them find their way.

 

Why just a citizen? If he is not legal and will be in extreme need, how can he be with him? 

A modern concept of the word citizen is a person who lives long-term on a given territory. This applies to Czech citizens living exclusively in the Czech Republic and foreigners living in the Czech Republic for a long time. Foreigners living on the territory of the Czech Republic less than let's say 5 years will not be entitled to ZPP to do so without mass immigration, but only to the Conditional Basic Income they will receive only if they work, or they will meet, for example, the conditions for obtaining an unemployment benefit.

 

If they were gradually, how? (example of Brazil)

A difficult question that deserves extensive comment, which I will embark on soon. My view is that ZNP cannot be implemented simply gradually, because it is a systemic change that cannot show its positives if it is only partially implemented - the main risk would be underfunding. Yes, we can consider introducing ZNP 8000 and gradually increase it as much as possible, but below this amount, really no one will have the right to say no to the job offer, and the labor market will not be free. Another possibility is the geographical demarcation of the ZNP pilot zone, but this will most likely not be necessary, as there will be other European states that will show us a positive example. Unless, for once, we show the world that we are a pioneering nation that is not afraid of innovation - why not.

 

Where do I get resources? If the crisis (a lack of resources) is to be curtailed, even under the need for survival? 

Increased VAT on taxing machines and not just people, saving bureaucracy and replacing dozens of complicated social transfers, 200 billion a year on corruption and unreasonable orders, increased production - everybody is doing what it is doing, new opportunities, new businesses.

ZNP may be indexed to GDP when GDP drops, ZNP may drop somewhat, but this is in the discussion, because ZNP is counter-cyclical, which is its big positive.

 

Link to local currency? Involvement of political parties? 

ZP supports local economy. What link to the local currency would be, I still can not answer. We are likely to find supporters of the ZP, probably in every political party.

A portion of ZNP may be in local currency, it does not exclude anything. Overall, ZNP leads to more local consumption and production, especially if super-VAT is financed.

ZNP supporters are mainly middle-class politicians, liberals, greens, and new movements such as pirates. It is definitely not an extremely leftist idea - let's not forget that work is a fundamental value in Communism, and who does not work is an exploiter for the Communists. It is up to us to bring interest to mainstream parties that do not have specific ideologies, but rather to navigators who can sense where the wind blows. If the voters' demand is felt, they are also interested in the topic.

Similar articles