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03-18-2016 08:34 PM |
Times change. I feel fortunate to have lived through a great period, rapid expansion and technological progress. Tech Progress is a killer. We all read how the middle class has gotten nowhere in recent decades. The fact is, we continue to be more productive, year after year. But all the rewards go to the owner/executive class. It'll only get worse. The pace of Technology is increasing. I worry for my kids, grandkids, and future generations.
Consider autonomous vehicles, they're right around the corner. In a few years you'll call up a ride on your smartphone and the car (maybe a convertible, minivan, or pickup, whatever you ordered) will pull up without a driver! It won't be long after that you'll decide you only need one car, then none. Maybe convert the garage to a workshop. Sounds silly now but folks in the future may wonder why anyone every had tons of steel sitting in a garage 23 hours a day.
"Transportation as a Service" is the future. Manufacturers have to reset, marketing to the Uber's of the world. Truck driver is the #1 job in the country, they're all vulnerable. If individuals don't own cars, what happens to Service Stations, mechanics, parking ramps.... Self-driving cars are only the beginning. What about 3D printing, dark factories, Robotics, on and on. The point is, jobs and the need for human capital is going away. Not a bad thing if we manage it.
I grew up on Sci-fi and reading Popular Mechanics (still no flying cars). I expected we'd be further along now. When I started working I felt fortunate. My Dad worked 7 day, 60+ hour, weeks all his life. I started and fell into the 40 hour work week and expected that was only the beginning. By now we'd all live a life of luxurious leisure (I think that was actually in Popular Mechanics). It didn't happen. Unfortunately, the middle class was exploited and it's really gone the other way. Where I worked, people now work 24/7. Literally, it's an International Corporation and they often have global online meetings, which can be anytime day or night.
Exploiting workers just gets worse. Today. we have people working 40 hours at McDonalds and Walmart and they're eligible for Food Stamps. I guess that's a form of Corporate Welfare.
My concern is that Technology continues to carve out the middle class and we end up with all wealth and power in the hands of a few. Maybe that's the ultimate for Capitalism. The only distinction from Communism is that Communism has all wealth in power with a single dictator.
We need to plan for this future. I think there's only two options. Well, maybe three, we could go full Capitalism, survival of the fittest, and let everyone fend for themselves. I don't see that happening. So, either we provide a basic level of subsistence for all, or we create "Meaningless" jobs so everyone can work.
The solution is clear to me, and many others. Universal Basic Income (sometimes Basic Income Guarantee) is being talked about everywhere (not so much in the US). The ideal implementation would give everyone a check equal to Poverty Level income. As an example, you get a monthly check for $1000 just for being a citizen.
It sounds ridiculous (I can't wait to read the comments). But it's a major step toward that future world I dreamed of as a kid. Instantly, no more poverty. Hundreds of Govt programs go away, Welfare, Food Stamps, Unemployment, Housing Assistance, Student aid, on and on and on. All the people that work in these "industries" will be out of work. Frankly, they aren't doing anything productive for society anyway. They will have to live on Basic Income too. Shut down the computer systems and sell off the real estate.
Basic Income is a win-win all around.The single Mom working multiple jobs will have some options. Maybe more parents can avoid daycare and raise their own kids (that's our future). Young folks could stay in (or go back to) school. I have difficulty identifying negatives. The idea is popping up all over and pilots are planned, Canada, Finland, UK, Scotland, Switzerland,and others.
Instead of falling into the trap of divisive political banter, concentrate on solutions. Google "Basic Income", read a bit and consider the potential. I'd be interested in hearing the negatives.
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