apparently now the discussion is on in switzerland about whether everyone (on wellfare) should get a basic monthly income of 2500 chf, also people that refuse to work. This scheme would then replace unemployment benefits, pension etc etc

http://www.20min.ch/finance/news/sto...eiten-19739125

To be honest, I'm in favor of this. I feel that a basic human right should be the choice not to work. Granted, this should not result in a life of loafing aroundin luxery but I think people should have the choice. If you're happy with your 1 room appartment, your bicycle and your library abonnement and don't want to work, society should not force you to.

I have included a courtesy translation to EN run through Google Translate here.

Also run this site through Google Translate if you wish.

http://www.bedingungslos.ch/

http://www.initiative-grundeinkommen...home/index.htm

http://www.agenturmitgrundeinkommen.ch/

I agree.

So long as those who refuse to work are prepared to acknowledge that no one else is obliged to feed, clothe and shelter them.

Lunacy - no work no pay unless you are sick, infirm, mad or all three (that doesnt include maternity leave etc of course)

There is already in every town a lower limit of minimal social security payments. With no personal assets, it is roughly Fr 600 for food etc plus health insurance, plus low rental of around Fr 600. The amounts depend on where you live.

I would like to see a minimum wage, so that decent working people are not forced to take a wage reduction to SFr 16 per hour! This was broadcast as a topic on Swiss TV on Monday evening.

OP has a point. We live in a world of work, minority rights must be protected. We have removed all possibilities of a nomadic lifestyle, living off the land and travelling freely. Everyone is arguably forced into the world of work, pay taxes and die. There is very little choice other than to work, it offers massive benefits, and arguably creates a better world. BUT this should not be at the expense of others freedom of choice. The revenues from our majority world can easily afford to subsidise their minority world. Sure, from a taxpayers point of view that is hard to swallow, but looking around the world today, I see far worse and more harmful things being done with tax revenue. I would not feel the few extra pennies it would cost me, therefore I have no objection.

Above all, the beneficiaries would have dignity back, something that a lack of money in society unfairly robs them of.

Give it a go I say. Thanks OP.

I'm a bit sceptic - imagine what would happen if half of the working population here decides 2500 CHF are enough and quit their jobs. Even more foreigners would have to come...

I'd love to put you and your opinion in a room with my dad

Fine with me as long as I'm not the one financing it

Rubbish. If you're not prepared to work, I'm not prepared to fund your lifestyle.
Socialism at it's utmost worst.

Hmm ..

I suppose I can give up the bloody hardwork and take more trips ( and longer ones ), venture into schwarz arbeit once in a while, expect a wave of economic refugees that'll likely alter the demographics etc.

So, we're cool with the idea that she:



... should subsidise him:




...in his choice of lifestyle?

But your work , and employment in general robs him of his choice of lifestyle. The price you pay to work is the price of allowing other people not work. You can't have it all your way.

Pro choice.

so its your right to live off others, basically?

Although it does sound pretty good but I am not sure it would do any good for the society as a whole. I'd only be in favour of people who can not work because of physical or mental disabilities. Imagine even if 30% of the entire population stopped working... you might be looking at another Canada in Europe Fine with me....loads of my people can immigrate and work here..... but even worst, what if in the future people just give up after elementary education and don't go to college/university thinking they don't have to get a job anyway... they can easily live off the 2500CHF?

Why not ? It doesn't affect her. She doesn't feel any of the subsidy.
It doesn't affect you or me.
It creates choice with little or no effect.

No, his "choice of lifestyle" is an excuse for being a feckless layabout. I'm sorry, but that doesn't wash with me.

Would it see a wave of RAV and Sozialamt employees being unemployed resulting from the projected administrative savings ?

It's a nice idea - a kind of utopian big hug for everybody - but I honestly don't believe that our society, be it in Europe, the Americas or anywhere else, is selfless enough to embrace such a massive change in our evolved and acquired pattern(s) of thought

Give these people a choice, and chance.

The work ethic will survive, because people that choose the work lifestyle, do so because they want a better life, in terms of having more money. Allowing this choice does not affect us. We can all just get rid of the jealousy, resentment and bitterness hidden in our fear and just run with it.