For #GivingTuesday I finally put my first book chapter online, along with some reflections in the year since I wrote it. I wouldn't have put it this way at the time, but I believe tax and benefit policy is a promising cause area for effective altruists. ubicenter.org/mortality-exis…
My overall thesis is:
* Poverty increases mortality and leading indicators of mortality
* Poverty destabilizes individuals & society, increasing existential risk
* UBI > alternative antipoverty policies
If you're feeling generous today and want to directly reduce poverty and its broader consequences as my chapter describes, I recommend @GiveDirectly. donate.givedirectly.org
We at @ThePolicyEngine also believe we can productively deploy funds for tax & benefit policy research. Our global ambitions start with bringing PolicyEngine UK to the US, & building a simpler product to understand current policies. You can donate here. 🙏 opencollective.com/psl
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Imagine for a moment: You've lost your job and decide to apply for SNAP (food stamps) to feed your family. You go to the county human services agency for your qualification interview. The waiting room is filled with homeless people and you worry about your life trajectory. 1/
You answer questions about your finances, employment, expenses, assets, and family structure. You see signage warning about jail time for exchanging SNAP for cash. You sign up for workfare so you don't lose benefits after 3 months. You're approved! 2/
New EBT card in hand, you go to your neighborhood grocer. You get to the front of the line with some food, and discreetly show the cashier your card. They say "We don't take EBT." You look around, embarrassed and hoping none of your neighbors behind you heard, as you get cash. 3/