President Donald Trump seems to thrive on a good challenge. Perhaps, for the benefit of the country, he should take aim at my home state of Illinois.
In Cook County, which includes Chicago and represents some of the most extreme leftist views in the state, a significant step has been taken toward Universal Basic Income (UBI). Starting now, numerous low-income individuals will receive a monthly check of $500 indefinitely. The intention is to assist those in poverty, but—let’s be real—this may just lead to more impoverished people. It’s time for the president to not only decry this issue but also position it against recent discussions about outright abolishing income tax. This could be a prime opportunity for Trump to showcase both moral and economic leadership.
Now, don’t misunderstand me. UBI is becoming a key focus for the left, reflecting their outdated belief that government should be the primary handler of people’s needs. The Democrats laid the groundwork with a refundable child tax credit during the pandemic, initiating what they termed UBI. Across the country, we’re seeing pilot programs in various cities. The rise of artificial intelligence—which, yes, might take away jobs—is amplifying calls for the government to sufficiently support everyone financially. Interestingly, even someone like Elon Musk has shown interest in UBI.
However, I find UBI to be a direct assault on human potential. It undermines the desire to develop our inherent abilities and could make poverty a permanent state of existence. While advocates and the media may label initiatives like Cook County’s as triumphs, evidence from reality often reveals moral, economic, and personal setbacks.
In fact, a recent trial run in several democratic cities resulted in a decline in workforce participation. The same pattern emerged with the refundable child tax credit. Historically, when the federal government experimented with an early form of UBI back in the 1970s, participants actually saw their income drop significantly. For every dollar a taxpayer got, they essentially lost five dollars in lifetime earnings.
It’s hard to put it any other way: UBI is, to put it bluntly, “evil.” It strips away the motivation to make the most of one’s life. Replacing the opportunity ladder with a cot isn’t just cruel; it’s counterproductive. The essence of UBI is to promote endurance through suffering rather than drive to achieve, succeed, and contribute positively to society.
Yet, as Cook County demonstrates, UBI is gaining traction politically. The solution to combat harmful policies like this isn’t to simply resist but to propose more effective alternatives—ideas that not only call out injustices but also pave a clearer path forward. This is where Trump’s proposal for abolishing income tax comes in.
During a Cabinet meeting on December 2, he casually mentioned how income tax isn’t necessary given customs revenue. But there’s a deeper purpose behind eliminating the income tax: much like UBI, it discourages work and minimizes its rewards. Trump could frame the repeal of income tax as empowering every American with a “universal right to earn,” contrasting it sharply with UBI.
Imagine a scenario where income taxes didn’t exist. Every American would keep all their earnings. That idea could generate excitement about working, innovating, starting businesses, and doing things that benefit individuals and society. The principle of universal earnings rights could trigger a new wave of growth and wealth creation, which, fascinatingly, would help the most disadvantaged the most. Why? Well, because it appeals to our inherent desire to strive and progress—quite the contrast to a system that nudges people into a life of poverty.
We often don’t hear such daring ideas expressed by Republicans, but if anyone can make this compelling argument, it’s Trump. In fact, he might even amplify his rhetoric while holding strong to ethical principles. Ultimately, taxing labor infringes on a person’s right to the fruits of their own efforts. The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery, yet the 16th Amendment somewhat reinstated it with the income tax. Trump could very easily declare, “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, it’s time to put an end to this injustice once and for all and fully achieve our national promise.”
I recognize that abolishing income tax is an enormous political undertaking, and the odds may be against it. But, honestly, similar thoughts about UBI were once considered far-fetched too. Now, it’s a reality in Cook County, and I suspect it’ll resurface as a leading agenda if Democrats regain power in the White House and Congress. Someone needs to present an alternative vision—one that uplifts the less fortunate instead of chaining them to a cycle of poverty. The universal right to earn is within reach for you, President Trump.
