Switzerland could soon be the world?s first national case study in basic income. Instead of providing a traditional social net?unemployment payments, food stamps, or housing credits?the government would pay every citizen a fixed stipend.
The idea of a living wage has been brewing in the country for over a year and last month, supporters of the movement dumped a truckload of eight million coins outside the Parliament building in Bern. The publicity stunt, which included a five-cent coin for every citizen, came attached with 125,000 signatures. Only 100,000 are necessary for any constitutional amendment to be put to a national vote, since Switzerland is a direct democracy.
The proposed plan would guarantee a monthly income of CHF 2,500, or about $2,600 as of November 2014. That means that every family (consisting of two adults) can expect an unconditional yearly income of $62,400 without having to work, with no strings attached. While Switzerland?s cost of living is significantly higher than the US - a Big Mac there costs $6.72 - it?s certainly not chump change. It?s reasonable income that could provide, at the minimum, a comfortable bare bones existence.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-1...-every-citizen