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
The Marshall Islands Just Quietly Implemented the First National Universal Basic Income (UBI)
How the Marshall Islands built the first nationwide universal basic income, funded by a US-capitalized Compact Trust Fund, and what it means for UBI everywhere.
scottsantens.substack.com
New article from me about the Marshall Islands becoming the first country with a Universal Basic Income, what the details are, how it came to be, and what may come next.
Side note: It's hard to express how big a deal this is, especially for me personally. I hope this is the first of many dominoes.
Side note: It's hard to express how big a deal this is, especially for me personally. I hope this is the first of many dominoes.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Why everyone should have a basic income.
I've yet to see a good argument against it.
youtu.be/NNHAgXy5dxQ?...
I've yet to see a good argument against it.
youtu.be/NNHAgXy5dxQ?...
Why everyone should have a basic income | Guy Standing | TEDxKlagenfurt
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Why everyone should have a basic income.
I've yet to see a good argument against it.
youtu.be/NNHAgXy5dxQ?...
I've yet to see a good argument against it.
youtu.be/NNHAgXy5dxQ?...
Reposted by Scott Santens
The need for a Universal Basic Income (UBI) has never been greater.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
AI could replace 3m low-skilled jobs in the UK by 2035, research finds
Trades, machine operations and administrative roles are most at-risk, says leading educational research charity
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The need for a Universal Basic Income (UBI) has never been greater.
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Scott Santens
There are a lot of misconceptions about peoples' desire to work and to contribute.
November 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
There are a lot of misconceptions about peoples' desire to work and to contribute.
This is also why universal basic income is such a good idea. Not only would it save money on the high costs of poverty, but it would grow GDP and reduce the costs of healthcare by reducing stress and improving physical and mental health.
To recap:
•Universal healthcare would save 68,000 lives & $450B annually
•Every $1 spent on SNAP results in $1.80 boost to local economies & small businesses
•The child tax credit decreased child poverty to a historic low of 5.2%, abolishing it increased it by 45%
1/2
•Universal healthcare would save 68,000 lives & $450B annually
•Every $1 spent on SNAP results in $1.80 boost to local economies & small businesses
•The child tax credit decreased child poverty to a historic low of 5.2%, abolishing it increased it by 45%
1/2
November 25, 2025 at 3:11 PM
This is also why universal basic income is such a good idea. Not only would it save money on the high costs of poverty, but it would grow GDP and reduce the costs of healthcare by reducing stress and improving physical and mental health.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Mass job loss makes nations unstable long before it makes them broke.
People without income turn restless.
People without direction turn dangerous.
If UBI doesn’t enter the conversation now, the conversation later will be about riots, repression, and regret.
History has already written this pattern.
People without income turn restless.
People without direction turn dangerous.
If UBI doesn’t enter the conversation now, the conversation later will be about riots, repression, and regret.
History has already written this pattern.
November 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Mass job loss makes nations unstable long before it makes them broke.
People without income turn restless.
People without direction turn dangerous.
If UBI doesn’t enter the conversation now, the conversation later will be about riots, repression, and regret.
History has already written this pattern.
People without income turn restless.
People without direction turn dangerous.
If UBI doesn’t enter the conversation now, the conversation later will be about riots, repression, and regret.
History has already written this pattern.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Farmers will lobby Ottawa for $50K guaranteed annual income pilot program. #cdnpoli
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/far...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/far...
Farmers will lobby Ottawa for $50K guaranteed annual income pilot program
HALIFAX - A farmers advocacy group says it plans to lobby the federal government for a guaranteed annual income of $50,000.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
November 25, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Farmers will lobby Ottawa for $50K guaranteed annual income pilot program. #cdnpoli
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/far...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/far...
Reposted by Scott Santens
Woke up this morning fantasizing about UBI and healthcare for all. Anyone who says this isn’t possible is benefitting from the fact that it isn’t.
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Woke up this morning fantasizing about UBI and healthcare for all. Anyone who says this isn’t possible is benefitting from the fact that it isn’t.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Time to Introduce Universal Basic Income
the ONLY Solution to AI's Disruption of EVERYTHING
the ONLY Solution to AI's Disruption of EVERYTHING
When such a big percentage of GDP is being propped up by AI companies and their investors, that means that a tiny handful of people getting fabulously wealthy are accounting for the bulk of the economic benefits while everyone else is getting screwed. That’s Trump’s economy.
November 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Time to Introduce Universal Basic Income
the ONLY Solution to AI's Disruption of EVERYTHING
the ONLY Solution to AI's Disruption of EVERYTHING
Reposted by Scott Santens
I started a new blog to educate folks in Washington on the power and importance of land taxes, and to advocate for changes along those lines across the state. Please follow if you have a Substack! #lvt #ubi #seattle #washington #landreform
Beginning a "Share the Rent" campaign in Washington state
The solution to poverty is right under our feet.
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I started a new blog to educate folks in Washington on the power and importance of land taxes, and to advocate for changes along those lines across the state. Please follow if you have a Substack! #lvt #ubi #seattle #washington #landreform
Reposted by Scott Santens
Big believer in the right to die but had a turnaround there seeing how was being used in Canada. Not until we have healthcare for all and UBI that is more than mere survival level support is my position now.
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Big believer in the right to die but had a turnaround there seeing how was being used in Canada. Not until we have healthcare for all and UBI that is more than mere survival level support is my position now.
Reposted by Scott Santens
If you want free or more affordable books, don't steal them - advocate for universal basic income so authors can write the damn things without having to work a day job 8-10 hours a day or subsist on Venmo money.
People who pirate books: “I just think art and literature should be FREE to everyone!”
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
Yes, I too would love to live in a world where art is accessible freely to all and yet artists are paid a living wage, but as this magical wagical pixie wixie land does not exist, please don’t steal from us.
November 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you want free or more affordable books, don't steal them - advocate for universal basic income so authors can write the damn things without having to work a day job 8-10 hours a day or subsist on Venmo money.
This is a hugely important reform to make. Also, Democrats should stop excluding independents from primaries, by at the very least enabling anyone to register day-of at the polls, but preferably by switching to nonpartisan primaries where the top 4 or 5 from any party advance to an RCV general.
Democratic politicians and activists are quietly lobbying to upend the way the party picks its presidential nominee by urging the use of ranked-choice voting.
Scoop: Democrats eye ranked-choice voting for 2028 primaries
It's a tool that drew national attention when it propelled New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to a decisive primary win.
www.axios.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This is a hugely important reform to make. Also, Democrats should stop excluding independents from primaries, by at the very least enabling anyone to register day-of at the polls, but preferably by switching to nonpartisan primaries where the top 4 or 5 from any party advance to an RCV general.
Just goes to show how they can easily come up with reasoning to support universal basic income when they want to. Yes, UBI is a dividend for shareholders. As citizens, we are all shareholders.
Also, we ALL created the capital that AI is trained on. We should all be paid a GDP dividend EVERY MONTH.
Also, we ALL created the capital that AI is trained on. We should all be paid a GDP dividend EVERY MONTH.
Tom Emmer on tariff checks to Americans: "You gotta love this president. He looks at this like a business, and when the business is doing well, the shareholders, which are the American people, should be rewarded."
November 24, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Just goes to show how they can easily come up with reasoning to support universal basic income when they want to. Yes, UBI is a dividend for shareholders. As citizens, we are all shareholders.
Also, we ALL created the capital that AI is trained on. We should all be paid a GDP dividend EVERY MONTH.
Also, we ALL created the capital that AI is trained on. We should all be paid a GDP dividend EVERY MONTH.
Reposted by Scott Santens
A good argument for UBI.
With a million young people locked out of work, the UK’s hidden jobs crisis is only growing | John Harris
Held back by Covid and then phased out by AI, Britain’s so-called Neets are desperately seeking a secure future. Who will offer them hope? asks Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:04 PM
A good argument for UBI.
Reposted by Scott Santens
thank you!
I think everyone should do some kind of public work (volunteering, pro bono) and maybe that's just another argument for a universal basic income and a 4-day work week
I think everyone should do some kind of public work (volunteering, pro bono) and maybe that's just another argument for a universal basic income and a 4-day work week
November 23, 2025 at 5:19 PM
thank you!
I think everyone should do some kind of public work (volunteering, pro bono) and maybe that's just another argument for a universal basic income and a 4-day work week
I think everyone should do some kind of public work (volunteering, pro bono) and maybe that's just another argument for a universal basic income and a 4-day work week
Reposted by Scott Santens
"If we have UBI, everyone will get lazy and nobody will work anymore!"
Have you seen the time and money people will spend to get premium upgrades and cosmetics for video games and other hobbies? Trust me, people will be motivated to earn money to enjoy life and not just survive.
Have you seen the time and money people will spend to get premium upgrades and cosmetics for video games and other hobbies? Trust me, people will be motivated to earn money to enjoy life and not just survive.
November 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
"If we have UBI, everyone will get lazy and nobody will work anymore!"
Have you seen the time and money people will spend to get premium upgrades and cosmetics for video games and other hobbies? Trust me, people will be motivated to earn money to enjoy life and not just survive.
Have you seen the time and money people will spend to get premium upgrades and cosmetics for video games and other hobbies? Trust me, people will be motivated to earn money to enjoy life and not just survive.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Literally all the Democrats need to do in order to sweep the next 3 elections is run on Medicare for All, Universal Basic Income, and cannabis legalization but the DNC won’t do it because they love to lose.
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Literally all the Democrats need to do in order to sweep the next 3 elections is run on Medicare for All, Universal Basic Income, and cannabis legalization but the DNC won’t do it because they love to lose.
Reposted by Scott Santens
we need to be nicer to everyone tbf. with universal basic income
“we need to be nicer to men” bro they didn’t let women have their own credit cards til 50 years ago
November 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
we need to be nicer to everyone tbf. with universal basic income
Reposted by Scott Santens
The policy and effectiveness arguments against UBI have been settled in favor of UBI. The political argument is trending the same.
If you want a material case for the economy being bad & that driving politics, here it is. The problem with that story in 2024 is that it doesn't explain all kinds of things in 2024, or historically. It also suggests that what folks were really angry about was not getting more stimulus checks:
This is 👍 & the best case for a material voter anger/inflation link, but
- It still doesn't explain the unprecedented economy/sentiment gap
- It doesn't explain why Obama avoided a 2012 shellacking
- It again suggests folks are really angry about not getting more checks (bsky.app/profile/mcop...)
- It still doesn't explain the unprecedented economy/sentiment gap
- It doesn't explain why Obama avoided a 2012 shellacking
- It again suggests folks are really angry about not getting more checks (bsky.app/profile/mcop...)
November 23, 2025 at 11:05 PM
The policy and effectiveness arguments against UBI have been settled in favor of UBI. The political argument is trending the same.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Toxic masculinity will never resolve until we have universal basic income, free healthcare, and affordable housing. Men on average are too emotionally stunted to be reasoned with; capitalism wants them that way. Perhaps through meeting everyone's basic needs men can learn kindness.
November 24, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Toxic masculinity will never resolve until we have universal basic income, free healthcare, and affordable housing. Men on average are too emotionally stunted to be reasoned with; capitalism wants them that way. Perhaps through meeting everyone's basic needs men can learn kindness.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Reposted by Scott Santens
UBI would let me get the medical testing and procedures I keep putting off done without worrying about having to take the time off with no short term disability coverage.
Universal basic income would literally change the entire trajectory of my life and would probably lengthen it.
I've spent my entire adult life trying (and failing) to pass as able bodied enough to get enough health care to keep going.
I've spent my entire adult life trying (and failing) to pass as able bodied enough to get enough health care to keep going.
Universal Basic Income would fix me.
November 24, 2025 at 4:18 AM
UBI would let me get the medical testing and procedures I keep putting off done without worrying about having to take the time off with no short term disability coverage.
Reposted by Scott Santens
The existence of tariffs is a golden opportunity for democrats to make an environmental policy that works - in 2028, reduce tariffs, but unevenly, so countries that pollute more get higher tariffs. Then implement a slowly-rising carbon tax, and fund a small UBI with the revenue from both.
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 AM
The existence of tariffs is a golden opportunity for democrats to make an environmental policy that works - in 2028, reduce tariffs, but unevenly, so countries that pollute more get higher tariffs. Then implement a slowly-rising carbon tax, and fund a small UBI with the revenue from both.
Reposted by Scott Santens
Our demands:
Universal Healthcare
Universal childcare
Universal Basic Income
End the genocide
House the unhoused
TAX THE RICH
#NoTaxationWithoutRepresentation
Universal Healthcare
Universal childcare
Universal Basic Income
End the genocide
House the unhoused
TAX THE RICH
#NoTaxationWithoutRepresentation
November 24, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Our demands:
Universal Healthcare
Universal childcare
Universal Basic Income
End the genocide
House the unhoused
TAX THE RICH
#NoTaxationWithoutRepresentation
Universal Healthcare
Universal childcare
Universal Basic Income
End the genocide
House the unhoused
TAX THE RICH
#NoTaxationWithoutRepresentation