This is the position taken by left wing economics including Paul Krugman and “atrios”—provide a level of benefit to everyone (what to provide is, of course, a political and values laden judgement) and pay for it with a progressive tax (studies have found that earning incentives aren’t damaged for high earners until the marginal rate is over 70%). This minimizes the administrative costs, both for the government, and for the beneficiaries.
This is the position taken by left wing economics including Paul Krugman and “atrios”—provide a level of benefit to everyone (what to provide is, of course, a political and values laden judgement) and pay for it with a progressive tax (studies have found that earning incentives aren’t damaged for high earners until the marginal rate is over 70%). This minimizes the administrative costs, both for the government, and for the beneficiaries.
Further details can be found in the intertubes.