Liberal MSNBC host Ali Velshi on Sunday used the COVID-19 pandemic to push for Universal Basic Income (UBI) for all Americans. Touting it as a “big idea,” Velshi largely dismissed the critics and glossed over cost. The MSNBC host, who has a history of promoting far-left economic ideas, began, “UBI is a big deal.... There's lots of versions. But it goes something like this: Every citizen regardless of employment status gets a modest income from the state, no strings attached, which allows them to live above the poverty line.”
Though he started by linking the need for UBI to the coronavirus, Velshi mostly focused on automation in our modern economy: “In an increasing number of physical stores, you don't need to interact with a human to do your business. More people into the workforce but more jobs ultimately will not.” The MSNBC graphic simply claimed, “Universal Basic Income can be normal.”
As for critics, Velshi only offered this:
Universal Basic Income has critics and detractors, mostly those who say will cost too much, promote unemployment or worse, laziness, and that it’s unsustainable. But let me put it to you this way, if UBI could happen at no additional cost to you, would you support the idea?
How… would there be no additional cost? Velshi didn’t say. Instead, he sounded more like a brochure for UBI than a journalist: “While America is on pause, we have a moment to think about rebuilding our damaged house. Let’s make it a home for those whom the American dream is unattainable.”
In March, Velshi fawned over a Dutch socialist demanding Democrats move farther left. He hailed the push for Medicare for all, taxing the rich and, of course, a UBI.
Talking to Congressman Ro Khanna (D-California), also on Sunday, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes pushed UBI:
You have also been proposing from the beginning some sort of UBI, universal basic income, some stream of government money no strings attached for folks. There is a version of that in that there is a $1200 check or deposit for people making under a certain threshold. That's a one-time payment. You want something more long term. Why?
A transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more.
Velshi
4/19/2020
9:20 AM ET
MSNBC Graphic: Universal Basic Income Can Be Normal
ALI VELSHI: This pandemic has changed us. We know that the future is going to look different from the past and some things will change. And some things must change. I have a friend who says the day before something is truly a breakthrough, it's a crazy idea. And crazy ideas are very risky to attempt. But here's one crazy idea that may be worth attempting now: Universal Basic Income. UBI is a big deal. It's a big idea. There's lots of versions of it. But it goes something like this: Every citizen regardless of employment status gets a modest income from the state, no strings attached, which allows them to live above the poverty line. Taxpayer dollars that cut through the bureaucracy of means testing and proof what you're doing is of value to society not only serves those who fall through the cracks in society, but think of increasing numbers of caregivers, gig workers, contract workers, part-time workers, freelancers, home workers, people who care for their children, most of whom receive no health care or child care benefits thus their employers.
Benefits that most of the developed world consider to be basic rights. More than three quarters of American workers live paycheck to paycheck. More than half earn shockingly low wages. Forty million Americans are food insecure and highly automated society is about to get more automated. In 29 states, truck driving is the most common job. Yet we're working in overdrive to eliminate those jobs with self-driving vehicles. Even Foxconn which makes your iPhone is replacing its low wage workers with robots.
In an increasing number of physical stores, you don't need to interact with a human to do your business. More people into the workforce but more jobs ultimately will not. Universal Basic Income has its critics and detractors, mostly those who say will cost too much, promote unemployment or worse, laziness, and that it’s unsustainable. But let me put it to you this way, if UBI could happen at no additional cost to you, would you support the idea? Just last week, the Pope wrote, “This may be the moment to consider a universal basic wage, which would acknowledge and dignify the noble, essential and tasks you carry out.” While America is on pause, we have a moment to think about rebuilding our damaged house. Let’s make it a home for those who the American dream is unattainable.
Velshi
4/19/2020
REP. RO KHANNA (D-California):
CHRIS HAYES: [Talking to Rep. Ro Khanna] You have also been proposing from the beginning some sort of UBI, universal basic income, some stream of government money no strings attached for folks. There is a version of that in that there is a $1200 check or deposit for people making under a certain threshold. That's a one-time payment. You want something more long term. Why?
