Issues

BasicallyIncome.org is focused on one outcome: basic income for every U.S. citizen.

This page explains what we fight for, what we refuse to compromise on, and the core policy questions any serious basic income plan must answer.

A universal, unconditional cash dividend paid to every U.S. citizen should be:

• Universal: Every U.S. citizen receives it. No stigma. No gatekeeping.

• Unconditional: Not tied to work requirements, marital status, disability status, or paperwork.

• Individual: Paid to individuals, not households—so it follows you.

• Reliable: Stable and predictable, not temporary or discretionary.

• Dignity-first: Cash respects choice. People know what they need.

We oppose “basic income in name only” policies. basic income is NOT:

• A “program for the poor” or a one-time relief check.

• A replacement for everyone’s wages.

• A lottery or pilot limited to a few zip codes.

• A benefit that disappears if you work, save, or improve your life.

Means-testing is where dignity goes to die. It creates complexity, administrative waste, stigma, and political vulnerability.

Our position: basic income must be universal for U.S. citizens to avoid “benefit cliffs” that punish work and savings.

Work requirements treat people like suspects and fail to recognize real work: caregiving, education, job searching, recovery, and community responsibilities.

Our position: basic income must be unconditional.

A benefit that is unpredictable is not a foundation—it’s a gamble. It must be stable, recurring, and protected from arbitrary political swings.

Furthermore, payments should be made to individuals, not filtered through household eligibility, to prevent dependency and concentrate control.

Complex eligibility systems create delays, errors, and unnecessary gatekeeping. The delivery mechanism should be simple and automatic.

Any proposal must be fiscally credible and politically durable. We support serious, transparent funding frameworks and oppose proposals designed to fail.

basic income improves outcomes across multiple domains:

• Economic Security: Resilience against rent increases, medical bills, and job loss.

• Bargaining Power: Freedom to refuse abusive work and negotiate better conditions.

• Caregiving: Financial breathing room for essential unpaid work.

• Local Economies: Support for small businesses and rural communities.

• Health: Stress reduction and room for preventative care.

We will not trade universality for “optics.” We refuse policies that add work requirements, create punitive traps, or strip core supports without a plan.

basic income becomes law when it becomes normal.

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