The great Martin Luther King, Jr. had a plan to eliminate poverty in America. In fact, it was the topic of his last public speech (see link below.) I'm talking about Guaranteed Income and I think we, as a nation, need to look at it as a real solution for our future.

As my frustration with our current administration grows, I have directed my energy toward finding solutions to the problems so many Americans face today. I think the quickest and easiest way to make a positive impact in the common people's lives is to institute a guaranteed income for all.

What is a guaranteed income?

The concept of a guaranteed income would essentially mean regular monthly payments, paid by the government, to every American as a minimum level of comfort and security. This amount would be in addition to whatever one is currently earning and should be a fully livable wage for those who are unable to work. Creating a merchant association that benefits by agreeing to standard pricing would also be advisable to avoid inflation.

If income was guaranteed, who would work?

Some think we only work because we have to and if we didn't have to, we would sit around watching t.v. all day. I heartily believe this to be untrue. Human nature strives to grow and learn. While some people might quit their jobs and live on the guaranteed income alone for a while, others will welcome it as extra income and a way to actually pay down the debt they have accumulated. Others will create new businesses and more jobs, while still others will follow artistic pursuits.

(With your help, I'd like to compile some hard data on this point. Please follow the survey link at the bottom of this page to tell me what YOU would do if you started receiving a guaranteed Income.)

Everyone will have periods in their life when they are unable to work. Be it in old age, childhood, childbirth or illness, everyone encounters times when work is simply not possible. Guaranteed income accepts and allows for this. It also would give many poorer Americans a kind of freedom they've never known to follow their dreams and control their lives.

Workers rights and conditions would improve because employers would have to provide decent conditions and wages for their employees, or they would have a very hard time finding people who will work for them at all. And families would be able to make their own choices about things like child care and education without all the limitations of having to constantly work to provide. The extra cash flow will support business from the bottom up instead of the other way around.

How could we possibly afford to pay a guaranteed income to every American?

I believe the money is already there, tied up in social programs a guaranteed income would replace, such as welfare, unemployment and social security, along with funds from other inflated or useless government programs. The final details would all have to be worked out by more experienced financial and government minds than mine, but I am sure it can be done.

Once people are receiving a guaranteed income, it seems quite sensible to apply a straight, moderate percentage tax on all additional income, regardless of the source, without loopholes and dodges.

I believe the time for guaranteed income is right now.

Many Americans feel overwhelmed and abandoned. I recently read that 250,000 people applied for 350 job openings at a new Wal-Mart in Chicago. More than 50% of the population is suffering under conditions which seem to be getting worse and worse, while the top 10% reap all the reward. The American people are ready for a change and they need it now.

I think an issue like guaranteed income can win elections on a larger scale than we have ever seen. We have whole segments of the population, mostly poor and middle class, that have never voted. This is just the kind of issue that could bring them to the polls in overwhelming numbers. At this time in our history, I believe that any presidential candidate (as well as congressional candidates) would stand a very good chance of winning if they showed their support for the common American people by endorsing a proposal like guaranteed income.

Plus, guaranteed income should satisfy both liberals and conservatives. Conservatives who favor smaller government will like this measure because it would eliminate some of the biggest bureaucratic messes of our day. While the money will be diverted, think of how much simpler and cost effective it will be to pay dividends to citizens directly instead of pouring more and more money into programs that we know don't really solve the problems. Because everyone will get it, there will be no preferential treatment, everyone will receive exactly the same benefits.

Why am I telling you?

I am actively seeking a dialogue with all Americans, especially influential people who can see the benefits and help shape this kind of measure. My hope is to inspire widespread support for a guaranteed income and bring it before the American people directly. Please feel free to email this article or the web page URL to your friends and contacts to spread awareness of guaranteed income.

I realize there will be powerful opposition. That is why I am also contacting a wide range of people who may be able to help the American people including politicians, grass roots activist organizations, independent news sources, leaders, educators and celebrities. The more people we have behind this, the harder it will be for the opposition to silence us. This issue must be brought to the whole nation's attention and we must vote in representatives who are willing to make it happen.

I'd be glad to hear your comments. Even if you don't like the idea, I'd really like to know why. I don't want to put a lot of time and effort into something that can't work, but for the life of me, I can't see why this couldn't work.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Gwenneth Morgan
Spiritual Activist
http://www.gwennethmorgan.com

More information on Guaranteed Income:

Read Martin Luther King Jr.'s last public speech

Wikipedia on Social Credit

"Social Credit" by Major Clifford Hugh Douglas

The inescapable flaw of our current economic system

See also Robert A. Heinlein's book "For Us the Living" (Chapter 9)

Read public dialogues regarding Guaranteed Income: Dialogue 1, Dialogue 2

Take the Survey! I want to know what YOU would do if you started receiving a Guaranteed Income!