Reading Pie Crumbs

Clairvoyance is not part of the Atlas investment algorithm.  Endeavoring just to interpret current data is challenge enough.  In fact, since various agencies and institutions revise past data with some regularity, even seeing the past sometimes proves difficult.  Nevertheless, we do have a crystal ball and dusted it off at the most recent pie party to make some bold predictions.  Since these led to a spirited discussion often stymied by a mixing of terms and acronyms, we thought a reprise was in order here.

Those prophecies in question involved the upcoming elections, both the mid-terms and, especially, the 2020 presidential campaign.  What issues will begin to occupy more and more (hot) airtime as we move from November to November?  Here are the two we mentioned, two you may not yet be familiar with (but you will), often referred to by these acronyms:  GBI and PSE.  Both are emerging from the ongoing buildup of the Populist sentiment flowing through public dialogue both here and abroad.

A guaranteed basic income (GBI - sometimes also called universal basic income) would essentially establish as a right the entitlement of every U.S. citizen, regardless of age, to a specific annual income.  The amount currently mooted might be $15,000 annually.  Understand, this is to be seen as a right given in some fashion to every breathing citizen, period; it has no work requirement.  Besides finding some political support from both sides of the aisle, private citizens like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have suggested support for the concept.  A 2018 Gallup poll reported that 48% of Americans said they could support it.

Public service employment (PSE) proposes a government guaranteed job as a fall-back for anyone who wants to work.  While eliminating objections such as free-riding and lazy citizens, that might arise from a GBI concept, PSE functions as an intermediary between the public purse and a more limited basic income concept.  Obviously you need to be able to work, no matter what that job might entail, so age restrictions will come into play.  At the same time, the wage will likely be set so that pay scales (e.g., minimum wage limit) allow participants to enjoy a decent standard of living.  Additionally, benefits like maternity/paternity leave and paid vacations will likely be factored in.

After wiping some whipped cream off our crystal ball, Atlas suggests you watch for these two issues to become ever more prevalent in the public conversation over the next two years or so.    (by J R)