The
Socialist Party USA supports the provisions of a livable guaranteed income; the
Peace and Freedom Party California supports the establishment of a Universal
Basic Income (UBI) to alleviate poverty and homelessness; now Stewart
Alexander, the SPUSA nominee for President of the United States, is calling for
a Basic Income Guaranteed (BIG) for everyone 20 years of age and over.
Stewart
Alexander has supported the concept of a basic income guaranteed for more than
two decades and his program is very similar to the international Basic Income
Guaranteed (BIG) concept. Under
Alexander's BIG Plan, an individual would qualify for the guaranteed income at
the age of 20 and would receive a basic minimum income indefinitely adjusted to
inflation.
Alexander
says, "This is a basic income guarantee that would be received by all, the rich
and poor; it is a basic income that is unconditionally granted on an individual
basis. Two very important elements that
are included in the BIG Plan: First, it would be paid to individuals rather
than households, and second, it is paid to everyone irrespective of any income
from other sources."
The
concept of a guaranteed income has been around for more than 200 years, and in
the spring of 1968, presidential candidate Richard Nixon led the effort calling
for the U.S. Congress to adopt a system of income guarantees. It was publicly presented by President Nixon
in August 1969, adopted in April 1970 by a large majority in the U.S. House of
Representatives; later being rejected in the U.S. Senate.
Alexander
notes that his BIG Plan is not intended to solve the unemployment crisis that
currently exist nationwide. However, he
explains that his plan will help to meet the basic needs of the unemployed, the
poor, the elderly, college students, the homeless, the basic needs of veterans,
single parents, and the disabled.
Alexander
says the BIG Plan is a fundamental component of his broader "Real Deal" plan;
"Millions are now living in poverty nationwide; the basic income guarantee will
be designed to insure that the basic human needs of all are met."
