Remember UB40? The 1980s? No? Me neither. But, here’s a story about UBI in the GAE, a story that suggests money giveaways may “work”.

‘It helps with my stress’: US basic income project shows signs of success
Georgia pilot gives 650 predominantly Black women $850 a month for two years, no strings attached – and it seems to be working

…

And for the pilot, it means preliminary data is now available showing the effectiveness of guaranteed income as a means of combating poverty in Georgia – slightly more than half the women have saved some money, compared to none at the project’s outset; three times as many women have been able to afford childcare; and the share of women whose cell phone service was interrupted due to unpaid bills dropped from 60 to 40 %.

These and other findings come as more than 100 projects centered on giving cash with no restrictions or requirements have started in the last several years, leading a group called Mayors for a Guaranteed Income to launch a nationwide speaking tour in recent weeks, screening a new documentary on these efforts called It’s Basic.

Researchers say the growing body of evidence from guaranteed-income projects has the potential to spur a reevaluation of how government can more effectively create a social safety net for historically-marginalized populations.

I know what you’re thinking: It was “Red Red Wine”. The former conservatarian me might have scoffed at this program, successful or otherwise. However, now that it is obvious the GAE’s economy and, indeed, its very monetary base has been utterly destroyed and people have nothing … maybe this is a good idea. It’s not as good as, say, a Jubilee, but it’s something.

Those tempted to scoff would do well to consider there literally is no money left in the GAE economy, that it’s all smoke and mirrors, and if some of the smoke helps the people, then it might be a decent thing. Will it last? Can it? Most certainly not. But none of it will go on much longer. As such, here’s wishing these ladies well. May they make the most of it.