Swine flu and GM
Swine flu is big news today. So is GM and the jobs that will be shed as it restructures. I juxtapose these issues because both sets of news stories illustrate fundamental problems with our political and economic system – fundamental problems that will be mostly solved with a guaranteed basic income, Citizen Dividends.
Regarding swine flu: Is the Obama administration prepared? Are they doing the right things? What about the fact that Congress has not yet confirmed people to fill critical jobs, particularly Kathleen Sibelius for head of the Department of Health and Human Services? Her nomination is reportedly being blocked by Republicans who are concerned about her position on abortion. Links are here and here and here and here.
Regarding GM: Will it file for bankruptcy? Will it need more government bailout money? How many jobs will be lost, where, and how soon? Links are here and here and here.
These and similar news stories typically start with some big issue – swine flu, GM, jobs, government, the economy – and add details about individuals and families to supply human interest. That’s common for most issues and problems. Individuals and families, in other words, are only secondary, relatively passive, sometimes victims. Most of us seem to think of ourselves in that way, as relatively passive and sometimes victims.
The true power of Citizen Dividends is in transforming the political discourse. Providing everyone with a guaranteed basic income is a way to put individual citizens first – real people, unique individuals and our families, not “people.”
This is especially important with regard to jobs. Everyone will have an income for food and shelter, guaranteed, independent of any job.
Regarding GM: Everyone who works for GM, directly or indirectly, will have an absolute financial safety net regardless of what happens with GM, its suppliers, dealers, and so on.
Regarding swine flu: Everyone will have an income as they cope with the uncertainties. Consider, for example, people who work in a shopping mall or commute through a train station that might be closed to prevent the spread of the disease. Or the challenges for parents who have to adapt if their kids go to a school that’s suddenly closed.
Citizen Dividends will give each of us and all of us more resources and much greater freedom to cope.
Both sets of issues, in addition, illustrate the massive size and complexity of government. Our federal government, according to the Constitution, is supposed to “promote the general welfare.” The most direct and effective way to do that would be Citizen Dividends – providing for each citizen equally, generally, unconditionally.
There’s nothing in the Constitution about ensuring the welfare of GM or any other corporation. And, though it clearly serves the general welfare for our government to be responding to the swine flu outbreak, that response is potentially being thwarted by an unrelated concern.
Citizen Dividends will restore political power to ordinary individuals, because each of us and all of us will have more freedom to participate as citizens. We’ll be better able to organize and demand the government we want and deserve.
Citizen Dividends will bring a Peaceful, Positive Revolution, and that’s the title of my recent book, which is available from Tendril Press.
Steven Shafarman
Tags: health care, jobs, recession