Scott Santens
@scottsantens.com
Unconditional / Universal Basic Income (UBI) knowledge resource
Founder & CEO of UBI-focused nonprofit ITSAfoundation.org
Host of The Basic Income Show youtube.com/scottsantens
My #UBI FAQ: scottsantens.com
Contact me: linktr.ee/scottsantens
Founder & CEO of UBI-focused nonprofit ITSAfoundation.org
Host of The Basic Income Show youtube.com/scottsantens
My #UBI FAQ: scottsantens.com
Contact me: linktr.ee/scottsantens
Pinned
Scott Santens
@scottsantens.com
· Dec 5
I've been researching the idea of Unconditional Universal Basic Income since 2013. Here's a collection of findings I've compiled from various UBI experiments and studies of cash transfer programs around the world.
This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵
This will be a VERY LONG and ongoing thread focused entirely on empirical evidence. 🧵
Reposted by Scott Santens
Holy shit.
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
December 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Holy shit.
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Reuters reporting that new admin instructions on visas are if you worked at a platform in trust & safety or content moderation or on fact checking or online safety at an platform you *and your loved ones* are ineligible for H-1B visa.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
This is why he bought WaPo in the first place, and he definitely doesn't care if it bleeds subscription revenue. It's also why we need to tax wealth, distribute universal basic income, and reform democracy to be less susceptible to being influenced by the wealthy.
The Washington Post editorial board railed against a wealth tax without noting its owner, Jeff Bezos, stands to benefit more from its tax policy prescriptions than nearly anyone else on the planet.
Read the full article about how the Post serves Bezos's interests: zeteo.com/p/washington...
Read the full article about how the Post serves Bezos's interests: zeteo.com/p/washington...
December 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
This is why he bought WaPo in the first place, and he definitely doesn't care if it bleeds subscription revenue. It's also why we need to tax wealth, distribute universal basic income, and reform democracy to be less susceptible to being influenced by the wealthy.
Reposted by Scott Santens
The way the right is giddy over cutting SNAP benefits is really nasty to see. All of their actions strengthen the case for UBI. Medicare for all, UBI, ban companies from owning single family homes, make them divest, declare energy prices a national emergency and go all in on renewable energy.
December 4, 2025 at 2:38 AM
The way the right is giddy over cutting SNAP benefits is really nasty to see. All of their actions strengthen the case for UBI. Medicare for all, UBI, ban companies from owning single family homes, make them divest, declare energy prices a national emergency and go all in on renewable energy.
Reposted by Scott Santens
The state could do so much more to support employers and get more people into work. Frankly I think it’s time to level society by seriously increasing tax on millionaires and billionaires then paying universal basic income.
December 4, 2025 at 8:12 AM
The state could do so much more to support employers and get more people into work. Frankly I think it’s time to level society by seriously increasing tax on millionaires and billionaires then paying universal basic income.
Some people believe that so long as people displaced by technology can find another job, we don't need universal basic income, but the thing is, a few people get very rich via technology and that should be shared UNIVERSALLY. 4-day weeks are great, and so is healthcare, but we ALL deserve our share.
Technological Inheritance and the Case for a Basic Income
One or another form of unconditional “basic income” has now been advocated by individuals ranging from conservative economists like the…
medium.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Some people believe that so long as people displaced by technology can find another job, we don't need universal basic income, but the thing is, a few people get very rich via technology and that should be shared UNIVERSALLY. 4-day weeks are great, and so is healthcare, but we ALL deserve our share.
Reposted by Scott Santens
I know it’s counter intuitive - but if we had UBI that was set at a level that enables dignity and autonomy - it would be easier for people to find work. Being at stress inducing levels of poverty all the time just sucks up the brain power needed to get well and find the right job.
December 4, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I know it’s counter intuitive - but if we had UBI that was set at a level that enables dignity and autonomy - it would be easier for people to find work. Being at stress inducing levels of poverty all the time just sucks up the brain power needed to get well and find the right job.
Reposted by Scott Santens
it's sort of like saying "if there's ubi for everyone then rich people will take money they don't need" to which my response is: there are a lot more poor people
The fear of someone's life being made moderately easier by accident has prevented us from making a lot of peoples lives livable on purpose.
Balancing "no person with a disability should be denied accommodations" with "it's important to discourage non-disabled people from pretending to be disabled to take advantage of these accommodations" is really difficult and I don't have a great answer for what anyone should do about it.
December 4, 2025 at 2:15 PM
it's sort of like saying "if there's ubi for everyone then rich people will take money they don't need" to which my response is: there are a lot more poor people
Reposted by Scott Santens
Ranked choice voting outperforms the winner-take-all system used to elect nearly every US politician.
(@ismarvolic.bsky.social, Andy Schultz and David McCune)
theconversation.com/ranked-choic...
(@ismarvolic.bsky.social, Andy Schultz and David McCune)
theconversation.com/ranked-choic...
Ranked choice voting outperforms the winner-take-all system used to elect nearly every US politician
Ranked choice voting largely avoids the pitfalls of plurality voting, giving voters the power to express their true candidate preferences rather than being strategic.
theconversation.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Ranked choice voting outperforms the winner-take-all system used to elect nearly every US politician.
(@ismarvolic.bsky.social, Andy Schultz and David McCune)
theconversation.com/ranked-choic...
(@ismarvolic.bsky.social, Andy Schultz and David McCune)
theconversation.com/ranked-choic...
Reposted by Scott Santens
Welcome to Legislators for Guaranteed Income, KY House Minority Whip, Joshua Watkins!
We are excited to partner with you and our growing coalition of state lawmakers advocating for direct cash policies.
We are excited to partner with you and our growing coalition of state lawmakers advocating for direct cash policies.
December 3, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Welcome to Legislators for Guaranteed Income, KY House Minority Whip, Joshua Watkins!
We are excited to partner with you and our growing coalition of state lawmakers advocating for direct cash policies.
We are excited to partner with you and our growing coalition of state lawmakers advocating for direct cash policies.
Reposted by Scott Santens
the right answer is Universal Basic Income. it’s just a question of how long we suffer before we get there
December 3, 2025 at 8:23 PM
the right answer is Universal Basic Income. it’s just a question of how long we suffer before we get there
Reposted by Scott Santens
Something related that I finally put into words last night was: Why should someone need to prove they deserve to exist at all?
Every UBI test has been not only massively successful in improving people's lives, but also outright costs less than the current methods of dealing with the homeless.
Every UBI test has been not only massively successful in improving people's lives, but also outright costs less than the current methods of dealing with the homeless.
December 3, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Something related that I finally put into words last night was: Why should someone need to prove they deserve to exist at all?
Every UBI test has been not only massively successful in improving people's lives, but also outright costs less than the current methods of dealing with the homeless.
Every UBI test has been not only massively successful in improving people's lives, but also outright costs less than the current methods of dealing with the homeless.
Reposted by Scott Santens
You just give people benefits.
Fairly universally the "freeloader" on these systems are less of a strain than the benefits they provide.
You just do the thing and accept maybe someone has a handicap parking allowance that they don't absolutely need.
Fairly universally the "freeloader" on these systems are less of a strain than the benefits they provide.
You just do the thing and accept maybe someone has a handicap parking allowance that they don't absolutely need.
December 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM
You just give people benefits.
Fairly universally the "freeloader" on these systems are less of a strain than the benefits they provide.
You just do the thing and accept maybe someone has a handicap parking allowance that they don't absolutely need.
Fairly universally the "freeloader" on these systems are less of a strain than the benefits they provide.
You just do the thing and accept maybe someone has a handicap parking allowance that they don't absolutely need.
Reposted by Scott Santens
It's also hilarious to me that the easiest way to "stop people taking advantage" is, once more, just UBI. It's *really hard* to take advantage of a system that's wholly universal, and even if folks do manage to... it stimulates the economy! Political ghouls just want to hurt people, full stop.
December 3, 2025 at 8:45 PM
It's also hilarious to me that the easiest way to "stop people taking advantage" is, once more, just UBI. It's *really hard* to take advantage of a system that's wholly universal, and even if folks do manage to... it stimulates the economy! Political ghouls just want to hurt people, full stop.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Without UBI and progressive taxes, most systems are doomed to collapse due to a positive feedback loop of growing inequality in wealth redistribution.
December 4, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Without UBI and progressive taxes, most systems are doomed to collapse due to a positive feedback loop of growing inequality in wealth redistribution.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Can't wait to see what type of spicy resistance they cook up in New Orleans - Laissez les bons temps rouler ⚜️✊️🎷
Craven c*nts in masks are here, New Orleans — beware & be safe!
F*CK ICE / TRUMP IN PERPETUITY 🖕🏼
www.cbsnews.com/news/new-orl...
F*CK ICE / TRUMP IN PERPETUITY 🖕🏼
www.cbsnews.com/news/new-orl...
Trump administration begins immigration crackdown in New Orleans
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday formally announced a new immigration enforcement crackdown in New Orleans, dubbed "Catahoula Crunch."
www.cbsnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Can't wait to see what type of spicy resistance they cook up in New Orleans - Laissez les bons temps rouler ⚜️✊️🎷
@itsafoundation.bsky.social is proud to share that we've been selected as one of the 208 nonprofits to receive grant-funding from the OpenAI Foundation as part of their new People-First AI Fund. This grant accelerates our work in support of UBI projects focused on storytelling and implementation.
Announcing the initial People-First AI Fund grantees
Unrestricted funding for 208 nonprofits advancing people-first work nationwide.
openai.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:35 PM
@itsafoundation.bsky.social is proud to share that we've been selected as one of the 208 nonprofits to receive grant-funding from the OpenAI Foundation as part of their new People-First AI Fund. This grant accelerates our work in support of UBI projects focused on storytelling and implementation.
Reposted by Scott Santens
One of the main arguments for universal basic income is to make it so that people have money to spend so that business can keep making and selling. Turns out keeping people impoverished is bad for business.
December 3, 2025 at 5:54 AM
One of the main arguments for universal basic income is to make it so that people have money to spend so that business can keep making and selling. Turns out keeping people impoverished is bad for business.
Reposted by Scott Santens
At this point if you’re coming out against UBI either admit you’re an idiot or that you just want to watch people suffer. It’s one or the other.
December 3, 2025 at 6:19 AM
At this point if you’re coming out against UBI either admit you’re an idiot or that you just want to watch people suffer. It’s one or the other.
Reposted by Scott Santens
It is an acceptable risk that some people who don’t “deserve” it accidentally get help, if it means everyone who needs it is guaranteed to get help.
December 3, 2025 at 12:06 AM
It is an acceptable risk that some people who don’t “deserve” it accidentally get help, if it means everyone who needs it is guaranteed to get help.
Reposted by Scott Santens
@mrjamesob.bsky.social We should be talking about Universal Basic Income. This country is a wealthy nation. It can afford to do this. It also puts the power back into the hands of its citizens. There are very few downsides. Mostly the super wealthy whose control on resources will diminish.
December 3, 2025 at 10:35 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social We should be talking about Universal Basic Income. This country is a wealthy nation. It can afford to do this. It also puts the power back into the hands of its citizens. There are very few downsides. Mostly the super wealthy whose control on resources will diminish.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Like, the only major downside to a UBI is that billionaires would have to be taxed more.
And I'm failing to see how that's a downside.
And I'm failing to see how that's a downside.
December 3, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Like, the only major downside to a UBI is that billionaires would have to be taxed more.
And I'm failing to see how that's a downside.
And I'm failing to see how that's a downside.
Reposted by Scott Santens
I've *always* said that everyone should get UBI and full healthcare. Yes, even the mega-rich. $1000/month is going to dramatically help out like 75% of people, and we'll claw back that grand (and then some) from the other 25% through taxes.
December 3, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I've *always* said that everyone should get UBI and full healthcare. Yes, even the mega-rich. $1000/month is going to dramatically help out like 75% of people, and we'll claw back that grand (and then some) from the other 25% through taxes.
No guarantee a sandwich would stop hunger pains, stomach told.
No guarantee a basic income would wipe out poverty, committee told
By @dartjenhen.bsky.social
By @dartjenhen.bsky.social
No guarantee a basic income would wipe out poverty, committee told - Halifax Examiner
Deputy minister for Nova Scotia’s Department of Opportunities and Social Development says the government is not considering possibility of a guaranteed basic income right now.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
December 3, 2025 at 2:58 PM
No guarantee a sandwich would stop hunger pains, stomach told.
One of the most common replies in any discussion of universal basic income is "but how do we pay for it?" and not once do those same people ever question the costs incurred by not doing UBI. We spend $1.5 trillion every year on the costs of child poverty alone. Poverty ain't free, folks. WE ALL PAY.
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
One of the most common replies in any discussion of universal basic income is "but how do we pay for it?" and not once do those same people ever question the costs incurred by not doing UBI. We spend $1.5 trillion every year on the costs of child poverty alone. Poverty ain't free, folks. WE ALL PAY.
Reposted by Scott Santens
