A Universal Basic Income Would Engorge the Paternal State

Maybe you think Donald Trump is wonderful. If so, then imagine the politician you hate most controlling the levers of incentive for every single American taxpayer. Is that something that sits comfortably with you?

An awesome degree of power now lies in that hated politician's hands. Just think what they can get away with given the threat to withhold those funds. (Consider, for example, laws that require people to take drug tests to collect welfare checks; or any number of paternalist schemes.) A UBI could very well evolve into a mechanism of central control that works in the service of ends that run counter to your values.