I think both the comments of 'Molson Light' and 'J. Flames' are valid.  There are people without the mental aptitude, health or physical ability to make it in today's society.  But a program like this also creates a disincentive.  It's not so much that people are lazy, but some able-bodied, healthy people, to put it politely, are willing to work, but not at any job that they could actually get. But that's why a pilot study is good.  I'd be curious to see how well people on a guaranteed income versus traditional welfare transition over a period of years in terms of dependency, personal welfare and self-sustainability.  There may well be a 'net benefit' to society in terms of the cost of this versus other programs.  And, it's also been shown that giving money to people who spend it, versus stick it in the bank, provides a boost to the economy.