A citizenship wage of $8000 per year will be provided to every American citizen over the age of 18 as an equal share in the nation’s equity. This will allow us to replace the social safety net that is Means Tested Welfare. Our citizens should be protected when they are most vulnerable and provided with resources to get back on their feet. Unfortunately, the structure of the current welfare system can have the opposite effect; a new job might put you above a financial threshold beyond which you lose your welfare benefits. The citizenship wage is owed to every citizen – No matter what.
People often need to work more than one job in order to provide their families with the basic necessities of life. With the citizenship wage, they may need only one job to make ends meet. What if the citizenship wage made it possible for a parent to be home with their child instead of being forced to work for childcare costs? A citizenship wage plus a part time job may obliterate a family’s need for childcare altogether. The citizenship wage can provide peace of mind and stability to families in every income bracket.
By providing a financial safety net, people can start their own businesses or pursue the next great invention. It can encourage charity and creation and time. The Citizenship Wage makes us equal share-owners of our shared prosperity.