Having spent my entire life in a predominantly Republican area, I’ve grown used to my ideas being dismissed—or outright laughed at—by those around me. One topic, in particular, has a way of getting me blank stares and exasperated sighs: Universal Basic Income (UBI).
“Money for nothing? That’s welfare!” they’ll scoff.
“UBI is bad because nobody will want to work,” they argue. “People will just sit at home drinking and smoking weed while the rest of us hardworking folks foot the bill.”
Trust me—I’ve heard it all.
My Republican friends are, by and large, amazing people. They’re some of the hardest-working, most resilient folks you’ll ever meet. But one thing that absolutely terrifies them is the idea of someone else lounging at home, collecting a paycheck, while they’re busting their butts to provide for their families. And heaven forbid their tax dollars be spent supporting those so-called “lazy” people.
When I challenge this mindset—by not only laughing off their objections but also suggesting we take things a step further—they’re usually floored.
Here’s the thing: automation isn’t some far-off sci-fi scenario; it’s already here, and it’s accelerating. Every year, robots and artificial intelligence take over tasks once done by humans. This trend will continue, eliminating millions of jobs across industries—especially manual labor and repetitive work.
And my friends? They’re scared of it.
I get it. Automation feels like a threat. It’s displacing workers and disrupting industries, and for many, it seems like the beginning of the end. But what if it didn’t have to be? What if, instead of fearing automation, we embraced it—and used it to create a more equitable society?
That’s where UBI comes in.
The idea isn’t to get rid of welfare for the so-called lazy. It’s to expand welfare to everyone. Automation is already destroying jobs, and it’s naïve to think tax breaks for the wealthy will magically lead to enough new jobs to replace them. Instead of waiting for crumbs to trickle down from billionaires, why not tax the companies benefiting most from automation—and use that money to support everyone?
Here’s how it could work:
We’d establish a government agency tasked with auditing every workplace in America. Their job would be to determine how many employees would be required to run that business without automation. Companies would then be taxed based on the “automation gap”—the difference between the workforce they would need and the workforce they actually employ.
For example:
It’s not as radical as it sounds. This tax wouldn’t necessarily cost companies more than their current expenses for employees. Businesses already pay for things like unemployment insurance, workers’ comp, and other costs tied to having human workers. Automation might still save them money overall, but it would also contribute to the common good.
Imagine a world where tedious, physically demanding jobs are largely automated. Instead of seeing those workers left behind, struggling to make ends meet, they receive a basic income to cover their living expenses.
Now, let’s take it further:
Better Quality of Life: People who no longer have to grind away at dead-end, soul-crushing jobs have more time to pursue education, hobbies, or creative ventures. They can spend time with their families, volunteer, or even start their own businesses.
Opportunity for Growth: Higher-level jobs—ones that require specialized skills or creativity—would still exist for those who want to pursue them. UBI wouldn’t eliminate ambition; it would remove the desperation that comes from living paycheck to paycheck.
Economic Stability: When everyone has some disposable income, consumer spending increases. Businesses thrive, and the economy as a whole grows stronger.
Reduced Social Tension: Economic inequality is a major driver of resentment and division. By giving everyone a basic level of security, we can help bridge the gap between rich and poor.
When I share this vision with my friends, they often rub their necks or look at the floor. “That sounds too good to be true,” they’ll mumble.
But is it?
The truth is, automation doesn’t have to be the villain in this story. It can be the hero—the key to unlocking a new era of prosperity and freedom. But that will only happen if we’re willing to change the way we think about work, welfare, and what it means to live a good life.
UBI isn’t about handouts or laziness. It’s about recognizing that the world is changing—and adapting to those changes in a way that benefits everyone. Instead of clinging to outdated ideas about work and productivity, let’s build a system that works for the 21st century.
It’s time to stop fearing the future—and start shaping it.
