The problem with basic income is that people need purpose, not charity. Look at the success of programs in Africa that give people the ability to make a living, not a bag of rice. One particularly moving story was about a group that got foot-powered water pumps into the hands of subsistence farmers, who subsequently were able to send their kids to school.<p>At one point, the core purpose of monetary policy and central banking was full employment. Now, it seems to be stability and productivity. The political system is too corrupt to pivot -- but the private sector can, because untapped potential represents lost customers.<p>I think we need to figure out how to empower people. We have all of these underserved communities that suffer mostly from hopelessness. How do we empower a handyman in the inner city to build a sustainable business that enjoys his neighbors? How do we bring vitality to a rural community marginalized by the death of farming and mills?