NationStates

The issue: Drew Yin, a prominent political figure, has approached your office and suggested a radical idea: give every adult citizen a sum of untaxed money each month, to spend how they see fit.

Option 1: "What a sad situation," he says after greeting you. "For far too long, money has been in the hands of nobody but the wealthy. We need to get this cash in the hands of people who need it most. By having monthly payouts, people can be more motivated to go out and be productive members of society. The marginalized will rely less on welfare, which would actually end up saving @@NATION@@ money. Funding it wouldn't be too much of an issue either, by increasing VAT on luxury resources. optimising our bureaucracy and a little bit of income tax on the top 1%, we can easily fund UBI. We need to move forward, for every @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@." He smiles smugly afterwards and hands you sheets of data.

Result: @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@ are shocked as the unemployed walk out with new boots
Policy UBI is implemented

Validity: Nation is feudal and has slavery/serfdom
Option 2a: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME_1@@ de Silva, a wealthy noble, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this piece of the rabble who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical of the entitled proletariat. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their hovels, and I can have more serf- I mean, your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE_1@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Validity: Nation is capitalist
Option 2b: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME_1@@ de Silva, a @@MAJORINDUSTRY@@ magnate, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this piece of the rabble who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical of the entitled proletariat. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their hovels, and I can have more serf- I mean, your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE_1@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Validity: Nation is socialist
Option 2c: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME_1@@ de Silva, your Minister of the Economy, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this man who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical - everyone knows the proletariat need to liberate themselves, not be helped up by the richy-rich. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their homes, and your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE_1@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Option 3: "What a mean old @@MAN_1@@," mumbles A.J. Grossmund, the governor of the remote @@ANIMAL@@ Province, known for its @@majorindustry@@ visibly having a small allergic reaction. "People deserve to have a slice of the wealth that our nation produces, as after all they made it happen with their sweat and tears. That being said, those who didn't make that happen, such as delinquents, children, and-" - he whispers to your ear - "political dissidents, ought not to have this bounty. Create a monthly stipend, but make the money come from @@majorindustry@@'s revenue only and not from tax, and regulate who gets it."

Result: people who support @@LEADER@@'s party are mysteriously richer than those who don't

Option 4: "What's going on?" asks your niece, reaching for the bowl of candy on your desk. "Oh, yeah, free money! I remember sharing my toys to all my friends! I know you have many toys, so share them all with your friends! Drop them from the sky like rain instead of those warheads I always hear about on the news. And maybe even your enemies, too, so your 'embargo' can end and I can finally try those cute Brancalandian gummies!"

Result: The foreign aid boxes of @@NATION@@ is an iron heel that crushes anyone beneath them


Following a series of telegrams with The Sakhalinsk Empire, their current draft has been adopted and they are considered as a co writer.

Hi there, welcome to Got Issues!

While I can't find any existing issues that tackle universal basic income, and I think it's a very interesting topic that certainly deserves its own issue, I think your draft needs quite a bit of work before it's ready for submission. If I were you I'd give the How to Write An Issue guide a read before coming back to this draft to work on it further. The structure of your options in particular could be improved and there's a section of the guide that deals with that. There's also some good information on macros (the @@NAME@@ thing) which is very useful for beginners. And, as always, questions about issue writing are welcomed in The Writers' Block.

Terrabod wrote:Hi there, welcome to Got Issues!

While I can't find any existing issues that tackle universal basic income, and I think it's a very interesting topic that certainly deserves its own issue, I think your draft needs quite a bit of work before it's ready for submission. If I were you I'd give the How to Write An Issue guide a read before coming back to this draft to work on it further. The structure of your options in particular could be improved and there's a section of the guide that deals with that. There's also some good information on macros (the @@NAME@@ thing) which is very useful for beginners. And, as always, questions about issue writing are welcomed in The Writers' Block.

Yes, I read those guides before posting. I do realise it requires work, hence I posted it here for feedback.

The effects of universal basic income go well beyond laziness. Think of things such as disincentivising employment, automation replacing future jobs, etc.

Visionary Union wrote:Name: %Leader%, give us free money!

The issue: Drew Yin, a promiment political figure, has apparoached your office and suggested a radical idea: Give every adult citizen a sum of untaxed money each month,
to spend how they see fit.

Option 1: Mr Yin exictedly tells you about the benefits of a free guaranteed money, from mental health to economic boom

Result: %NATION% has reached a record levels of citizenship applications
Policy UBI is implemented

Option 2: Known conservative %random name% is red faced already, can be heard shouting in the distance about not wanting to pay for all the "lazy" people that don't want to work,
says the government should cut welfare
Result: %Nation% believes that 'each to his own' is the best policy

Option 3: Timidly, %random name%, your welfare minister suggests to increase the budge of his ministery, to make sure the money only reaches people that are struggling

Result: In %nation%, one can get more money for not working than working.

This is my first attempt at writing an issue, any feedback will be welcome!

doesnt seem rigth

Australian rePublic wrote:The effects of universal basic income go well beyond laziness. Think of things such as disincentivising employment, automation replacing future jobs, etc.

Studies has shown that UBI doesn't decrease people's willingness to work, however the automation is a good point. But I'm thinking about nations that aren't scientifically advanced. Nothing stopping UBI to be enacted in them, honestly.

When writing an issue, it's always a good idea to research the topic:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47169549

Visionary Union wrote:

Australian rePublic wrote:The effects of universal basic income go well beyond laziness. Think of things such as disincentivising employment, automation replacing future jobs, etc.

Studies has shown that UBI doesn't decrease people's willingness to work, however the automation is a good point. But I'm thinking about nations that aren't scientifically advanced. Nothing stopping UBI to be enacted in them, honestly.

Irrespective. It should be an option either way

There isn't an UBI policy

Baggieland wrote:When writing an issue, it's always a good idea to research the topic:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47169549

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl39KHS07Xc That should help you. There are researches linked in the video description, hope you find the video helpful.

Australian rePublic wrote:

Visionary Union wrote:Studies has shown that UBI doesn't decrease people's willingness to work, however the automation is a good point. But I'm thinking about nations that aren't scientifically advanced. Nothing stopping UBI to be enacted in them, honestly.

Irrespective. It should be an option either way

Fair point, I'll think of a "scare option" that should reflect this.

Disgraces wrote:There isn't an UBI policy

Yes, I know. This is supposed to create a new policy.

Fixes for the macros:
%Leader% = @@LEADER@@
%NATION% = @@NAME@@
%random name% = @@RANDOMNAME@@

Hallo. I don't know much about universal basic income, so I'll tackle this purely as an issue.

Visionary Union wrote:Name: %Leader%, give us free money!

As Silvedania mentioned below, the macro needs to be changed. Also, I suggest you think of a more creative title; most issues with plain, descriptive titles or "demands" from the populace are much less common in newer issues.

Visionary Union wrote:The issue: Drew Yin, a promiment political figure, has apparoached your office and suggested a radical idea: Give every adult citizen a sum of untaxed money each month,
to spend how they see fit.

Option 1: Mr Yin exictedly tells you about the benefits of a free guaranteed money, from mental health to economic boom

Result: %NATION% has reached a record levels of citizenship applications

Policy UBI is implemented

Issues editors really like short stuff nowadays, as a ton issues have really long descriptions and options. Nevertheless, I suggest you have your political figure say something in quotation marks, probably with a pun or other joke tucked in nicely in there. Also, use @@RANDOMNAME@@. There's no reason why your political leader has to be named "Drew Lin", unless it's some obscure reference (cf. my issue "Failure to Launch"; one of the dude's names is Star Thief, which is a reference and also a composite character of an actual dude called Star Thief and Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy.)

I kinda like that fallout you have here, but it feels lacking in some way. First, the macro; second, it should be just "record levels"; and third, there's just something missing from it that makes it funny and unique.

Visionary Union wrote:Option 2: Known conservative %random name% is red faced already, can be heard shouting in the distance about not wanting to pay for all the "lazy" people that don't want to work,
says the government should cut welfare

Result: %Nation% believes that 'each to his own' is the best policy

Australian rePublic makes a good point - laziness isn't enough here. It doesn't matter the studies that universal basic income does not reduce one's willingness to work; Mr. Random Name is trying to advocate against it, and bending the facts is what you do! (Mr. "Drew Lin" should do that as well.) Plus, doesn't this fall into laziness as well? Other problems that are possible include people not wanting to go out (think hikikomori) and decay of social values (kinda a stretch, but if people are lazier, they'll be less interested in getting a relationship, starting a family, etc.) And once more, add some dialogue!

Again, that fallout is somewhat lacking in my opinion. I suggest you rework it.

Visionary Union wrote:Option 3: Timidly, %random name%, your welfare minister suggests to increase the budge of his ministery, to make sure the money only reaches people that are struggling

Result: In %nation%, one can get more money for not working than working.

I suggest you change this option entirely. Too many issues have a "welfare check" option; plus, depending on how many poor people the nation that gets the issue has, this could basically be the same as universal basic income. So yeah, I don't have much more to say here.

Visionary Union wrote:This is my first attempt at writing an issue, any feedback will be welcome!

Don't worry about it. Being an issues editor is an uphill battle to climb, and expect that all your issues will get a ton of criticism. In addition, don't expect all of them will go through; you may have a really amazing idea which you're certain will fill a nice, yet suddenly the editors decide to not implement it. I have three issues which got submitted - and a thousand which didn't. So don't worry about it. You'll get that shiny badge soon, I'm telling you.

Thanks all for the feedback, will go over it during the weekend!

Sorry, forgot to go over it. Tomorrow we have elections, so I'll have time to sit and read through all the feedback.

Posted the second draft, please give me feedback!

Visionary Union wrote:Posted the second draft, please give me feedback!

I don't quite like the title. What I can think of right now is "The Outcome of Income" but that's not ideal either.

I'd also recommend a title change. Or at least have the N in nothing be capitalized, because before you click on this, you don't expect much. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it makes the draft feel off.

This needs a lot of work.

Firstly, I suggest you have a read of the Got Issues guide and the spoilers thread to see how we write issues. There are a lot of grammatical issues in this draft, and the options don't do a good job of explaining -- they've very light on details.

You've got phrases like 'saying that in order to finance such an undertaking the country will need to raise taxes on the rich, which will hurt their ability to buy yachts' and 'As you try to keep up with his stream of facts' ... instead of writing these things, why not actually write what the character is saying?

Electrum wrote:This needs a lot of work.

Firstly, I suggest you have a read of the Got Issues guide and the spoilers thread to see how we write issues. There are a lot of grammatical issues in this draft, and the options don't do a good job of explaining -- they've very light on details.

You've got phrases like 'saying that in order to finance such an undertaking the country will need to raise taxes on the rich, which will hurt their ability to buy yachts' and 'As you try to keep up with his stream of facts' ... instead of writing these things, why not actually write what the character is saying?

Hey, I read the Got Issues thread several times now, and I really don't know what is it that I'm missing in my readings- Could you elaborate, please?

As for the writing what the character says, that's a good feedback and I will try to improve on it on the next draft.

This is my draft of the issue. Visionary Union give me your opinion on this

Name: Money for Nothing?

The issue: Drew Yin, a prominent political figure, has approached your office and suggested a radical idea: Give every adult citizen a sum of untaxed money each month,
to spend how they see fit.

Option 1: "WHAT BRILLIANCE!" he blurts out immediately after greeting you. "See, by giving people free money, they work harder, rely less on welfare, be better moral citizens, score better on test scores..." He pauses for a moment and breathes deeply three times in rapid succession. "I've got the data right here. @@LEADER@@, make @@NATION@@ think harder. Support my proposal, and you'll have a rejuvenated populace." He collapses on the floor like a matchstick.

Result: @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@ are shocked as the unemployed walk out with new boots
Policy UBI is implemented

Validity: Nation is feudal and has slavery/serfdom
Option 2a: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME@@ Haversburger, a wealthy noble, surrounded by formally trained knights and eating rare Marche Noirian figs. "You're going to listen to this piece of the rabble who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical of the entitled proletariat. You know, whatever welfare system we have left - you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their hovels, and I can have more serf- I mean, your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE@@ spits on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Validity: Nation is capitalist
Option 2b: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME@@ Haversburger, a @@MAJORINDUSTRY@@ magnate, surrounded by a tuxedo-clad security detail and eating rare Marche Noirian figs. "You're going to listen to this piece of the rabble who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical of the entitled proletariat. You know, whatever welfare system we have left - you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their hovels, and I can have more worker- I mean, your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE@@ spits on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Validity: Nation is socialist
Option 2c: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME@@ Haversburger, your Minister of the Economy, surrounded by a tuxedo-clad security detail and eating rare Southern @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ figs. "You're going to listen to this man who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical - everyone knows the proletariat need to liberate themselves, not be helped up by the richy-rich. You know, whatever welfare system we have left - you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their homes, and your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE@@ spits on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Option 3: "What a mean old @@MAN@@," says your niece, "I remember sharing my toys to all my friends! I know you have many toys, so share them all with your friends! Drop them from the sky like rain instead of those warheads I always hear about on the news. And maybe even your enemies, too, so your 'embargo' can end and I can finally try some Brancalandian gummies!"

Result: The foreign aid boxes of @@NATION@@ is an iron heel that crushes anyone beneath them

Took me way too long to realize Drew Yin == Andrew Yang. The original Drew Yin was more of a mad scientist type; I'm reworking him to the entrepreneur type he ought to have been. Anyways, here's Draft 2.0.

The issue: Drew Yin, a prominent political figure, has approached your office and suggested a radical idea: give every adult citizen a sum of untaxed money each month, to spend how they see fit.

Option 1: "What a sad situation," he says after greeting you. "For far too long, money has been in the hands of nobody but the wealthy. We need to get this cash in the hands of people who need it most. By having monthly payouts, people can be more motivated to go out and be productive members of society. The marginalized will rely less on welfare, which would actually end up saving @@NATION@@ money. We need to move forward, for every @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@." He smiles smugly afterwards.

Result: @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@ are shocked as the unemployed walk out with new boots
Policy UBI is implemented

Validity: Nation is feudal and has slavery/serfdom
Option 2a: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME@@ de Silva, a wealthy noble, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this piece of the rabble who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical of the entitled proletariat. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their hovels, and I can have more serf- I mean, your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Validity: Nation is capitalist
Option 2b: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME@@ de Silva, a @@MAJORINDUSTRY@@ magnate, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this piece of the rabble who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical of the entitled proletariat. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their hovels, and I can have more serf- I mean, your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Validity: Nation is socialist
Option 2c: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME@@ de Silva, your Minister of the Economy, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this man who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical - everyone knows the proletariat need to liberate themselves, not be helped up by the richy-rich. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their homes, and your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Option 3: "What a mean old @@MAN@@," says your niece, "I remember sharing my toys to all my friends! I know you have many toys, so share them all with your friends! Drop them from the sky like rain instead of those warheads I always hear about on the news. And maybe even your enemies, too, so your 'embargo' can end and I can finally try some Brancalandian gummies!"

Result: The foreign aid boxes of @@NATION@@ is an iron heel that crushes anyone beneath them

Draft 3.0, this time inspired by the Alaska Permanent Fund.

The issue: Drew Yin, a prominent political figure, has approached your office and suggested a radical idea: give every adult citizen a sum of untaxed money each month, to spend how they see fit.

Option 1: "What a sad situation," he says after greeting you. "For far too long, money has been in the hands of nobody but the wealthy. We need to get this cash in the hands of people who need it most. By having monthly payouts, people can be more motivated to go out and be productive members of society. The marginalized will rely less on welfare, which would actually end up saving @@NATION@@ money. We need to move forward, for every @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@." He smiles smugly afterwards.

Result: @@DEMONYMPLURAL@@ are shocked as the unemployed walk out with new boots
Policy UBI is implemented

Validity: Nation is feudal and has slavery/serfdom
Option 2a: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME_1@@ de Silva, a wealthy noble, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this piece of the rabble who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical of the entitled proletariat. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their hovels, and I can have more serf- I mean, your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE_1@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Validity: Nation is capitalist
Option 2b: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME_1@@ de Silva, a @@MAJORINDUSTRY@@ magnate, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this piece of the rabble who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical of the entitled proletariat. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their hovels, and I can have more serf- I mean, your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE_1@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Validity: Nation is socialist
Option 2c: "What poppycock!" says @@RANDOMFIRSTNAME_1@@ de Silva, your Minister of the Economy, knocking Yin down and spitting the pits of rare Marche Noiran figs on him. "You're going to listen to this man who wants to give out free money to the underserving? Typical - everyone knows the proletariat need to liberate themselves, not be helped up by the richy-rich. You know, I saved a family all by myself when I was just a youngin', and I didn't ask for nothin' in return! Whatever welfare system we have left, you should cut it. That way people would actually go out of their homes, and your citizens can work more and contribute to the economy." @@HE_1@@ spits again on Yin's body as he is dragged away by paramedics.

Result: In @@NATION@@, the bootstraps don't pull themselves

Option 3: "What a mean old @@MAN_1@@," mumbles A.J. Grossmund, the governor of the remote @@ANIMAL@@ Province, visibly having a small allergic reaction. "People deserve to have a slice of the wealth that our nation produces, as after all they made it happen with their sweat and tears. That being said, those who didn't make that happen, such as delinquents, children, and-" - he whispers to your ear - "political dissidents, ought not to have this bounty. Create a monthly stipend, but make the money come from industry revenue only and not from tax, and regulate who gets it."

Result: people who support @@LEADER@@'s party are mysteriously richer than those who don't

Option 4: "What's going on?" asks your niece, reaching for the bowl of candy on your desk. "Oh, yeah, free money! I remember sharing my toys to all my friends! I know you have many toys, so share them all with your friends! Drop them from the sky like rain instead of those warheads I always hear about on the news. And maybe even your enemies, too, so your 'embargo' can end and I can finally try those cute Brancalandian gummies!"

Result: The foreign aid boxes of @@NATION@@ is an iron heel that crushes anyone beneath them

Updated the draft.

I will be submitting this issue soon, if anyone has additional feedback it will be welcomed.

I'm giving the go-ahead for submission.