The Importance of Economics

in #money7 years ago (edited)

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I want to share with you a couple of videos featuring Milton Friedman, The Nobel Prize winning economist who has been so influential to many aspects of policy throughout his lifetime. Once thing you will notice through examining his work is that he has amazing consistency throughout his career in regards to his fundamental system of analysis, while still very much allowing for change in stance on policy issues when new information is presented. I think this is the mark of a great man. I get the impression that many of his lessons are ignored or overshadowed today in favor of more emotion based arguments that totally ignore outcome of policy in favor of intent. As they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

While not all of his standpoint may be popular, they do have basis in fact based analysis and a real desire to improve the human condition as a whole in spite of some who would like to claim that this line of thought is motivated purely by greed and self interest of the wealthy. His view points are especially relevant regarding our educational system, and I think his work deserves some of your attention. I think it is something that could enrich most peoples lives by sharing some of the knowledge he provides.




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You forgot the video about Milton Friedman explaining his support for a basic income guarantee.

And no, NIT and UBI are not entirely different ideas, and he himself knew this.

So yeah, if you're into evidence-based policy centered around outcome, instead of feelings-based policy centered around good intentions, you may want to rethink your opposition to the idea of universal basic income, especially if you tend to agree with Milton Friedman.

I didn't forget to include anything. Milton Friedman has hundreds if not thousands of videos of him speaking about various subjects over decades. If you listen to him speak about universal basic income closely in other talks, you will also hear him clearly explain that it is INCOMPATIBLE with the current lack of immigration enforcement, even of his day let alone modern levels. Additionally he addresses purely the economic aspects of UBI, not the political implications of having a population dependent on the government for survival and the negative effects that would have on "political freedom" as he has called it.

Also negative income tax and universal basic income are NOT AT ALL the same. NIT still incentivises productive behavior and does not create the same dependence but simply subsidizes that productive behavior in a very limited and specific way. I can't say I completely agree with NIT for those who do not produce either. Furthermore just because I agree with a lot of his ideas does not mean I have to revere him as a messiah and agree with every single word that came from his mouth.

Feel free to actually read my article about why universal basic income is a bad idea and debate the subject with me there.

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