Why The Alaskan Government Gives People Free Money

Name: Why The Alaskan Government Gives People Free Money
Uploaded: 2024-03-13T20:59:40+00:00
Duration: 13 s
Channel: Sam Parr
Description: In this video Sam Parr, a self‑described capitalist, recounts how his view of universal basic income (UBI) evolved after learning about Alaska’s…

13 Mar 2024 · 0 min

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In this video Sam Parr, a self‑described capitalist, recounts how his view of universal basic income (UBI) evolved after learning about Alaska’s long‑standing Permanent Fund dividend. He explains that Alaska distributes a share of the state’s natural‑resource revenues to residents, either as a tax credit that reduces tax liability or as a direct cash payment of roughly $4,800‑$5,500 per person each year. The discussion frames Alaska’s program as a real‑world example of UBI, highlighting its funding source, delivery method, and the amount residents actually receive.

10 years ago, universal income was like a thing. UBI. UBI. We're going to give everyone in America a bunch of money. And I'm a capitalistic guy and I was like, what? F that. That's the worst. And then I learned two things. One, do you know in Alaska they've been doing that for decades?
It's like you get a share of the money that they were making from having so much natural resources.
Sometimes it's a tax credit where you just pay less in taxes, or if you don't owe any tax money, you literally get a check of $4,800 or $5,500, something like that.