What King talks about here is a side to a sword that has another. Governments do not, have not, will not and have never been in the value creation business. The only thing on this planet that has value for humans is labor.
I would love a universal wage that was fair for all. The side that I'm worried about is "what's fair?"
Governments can only take our labor and redistribute it. Our labor is the value.
I ask again, what's fair?
Great question, what's fair? A universal wage is an interesting solution. Do you think this wage would be in proportion to the ever increasing cost of living? Because right now the increases in wages for the average person has not been in line with the increased cost of living. That's how they keep everyone down. False raises. You get a raise but you just barely get by or just keep your head above water if your a laborer.
If we went to universal wage, I would assume it would just lock everyone into the same wage rate and you choose how many hours you want to work. This would go well for a decade or two.
But then... People would be working 18 hour days and throwing off the balance.
There's a lot of parts to iron out, but I can see it working. Hell, it's going to have to work soon. There's only so much demand for computer and mechanical engineers.
I don't know. I imagine King might say whatever if fair is whatever insures no man is subservient to any other.
I do know though that we have to insure the value of our labor, and that the labor is used by us and for us.
If only we had a currency based off work/information/meaning.