Spain announces guaranteed free money: What's really going on?

Mike “Mish” Shedlock's Sitka Pacific Capital Management,Llc

Spain is about to implement Universal Basic Income. But's let's put the correct label on what's happening.

Universal Basic Income

Please note Spanish Government Aims to Roll Out Basic Income

The Spanish government is working to roll out a universal basic income as soon as possible, as part of a battery of actions aimed at countering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Economy Minister Nadia Calvino.

Social Security Minister Jose Luis Escriva is coordinating the project and plans to put some sort of basic income “in place as soon as possible,” with the main focus on assisting families, Calvino, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said in an interview Sunday night with Spanish broadcaster La Sexta.

But the government’s broader ambition is that basic income becomes an instrument “that stays forever, that becomes a structural instrument, a permanent instrument,” she said.

Honest Thieves

At least the Spanish government is honest about its redistribution thievery.

They do not all pretend that it's temporary.

Honest Theft™ is the best one can hope for these days.

Guaranteed Free Money™

Rather than labeling this Universal Basic Income (UBI), I propose Guaranteed Free Money™ (GFM)

The money is not really free, however. Government will tax the hell out of everyone then return a portion to everyone.

Of course, some people will put in way more than they get back.

So this is really a redistribution scheme that robs the middle class and upper classes then redistributes the money to everyone to make it appear like a "universal" benefit.

Then again, the MMT crowd will propose this really is "free money", that taxes don't have to be collected, and we can all live in a fairy tale economy of Guaranteed Free Stuff™ (GFS).

Guaranteed Free Stuff™

Guaranteed Free Money
Guaranteed Free Healthcare
Guaranteed Jobs
Guaranteed Standard of Living

In case you are wondering "What can possibly go wrong?" please look at Venezuela, Cuba, or Zimbabwe for some extremely likely answers.

Meanwhile, I have a suggestion: Buy Gold.

For discussion where and how, please see No WSJ, Gold is Not the New Unobtanium: Where to Buy?

Also see Gold's New Breakout is Very Bullish: Here's Why

Mike "Mish" Shedlock

Author

Mike “Mish” Shedlock's

Sitka Pacific Capital Management,Llc

EUR/USD flirts with daily highs, retargets 1.1900

EUR/USD regains upside traction, returning to the 1.1880 zone and refocusing its attention to the key 1.1900 barrier. The pair’s slight gains comes against the backdrop of a humble decline in the US Dollar as investors continue to assess the latest US CPI readings and the potential Fed’s rate path.

GBP/USD remains well bid around 1.3650

GBP/USD maintains its upside momentum in place, hovering around daily highs near 1.3650 and setting aside part of the recent three-day drop. Cable’s improved sentiment comes on the back of the Greenback’s irresolute price action, while recent hawkish comments from the BoE’s Pill also collaborate with the uptick.

Gold clings to gains just above $5,000/oz

Gold is reclaiming part of the ground lost on Wednesday’s marked decline, as bargain-hunters keep piling up and lifting prices past the key $5,000 per troy ounce. The precious metal’s move higher is also underpinned by the slight pullback in the US Dollar and declining US Treasury yields across the curve.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP in choppy price action, weighed down by falling institutional interest

Bitcoin's upside remains largely constrained amid weak technicals and declining institutional interest. Ethereum trades sideways above $1,900 support with the upside capped below $2,000 amid ETF outflows.

Week ahead – Data blitz, Fed Minutes and RBNZ decision in the spotlight

US GDP and PCE inflation are main highlights, plus the Fed minutes. UK and Japan have busy calendars too with focus on CPI. Flash PMIs for February will also be doing the rounds. RBNZ meets, is unlikely to follow RBA’s hawkish path.

Ripple Price Forecast: XRP potential bottom could be in sight

Ripple edges up above the intraday low of $1.35 at the time of writing on Friday amid mixed price actions across the crypto market. The remittance token failed to hold support at $1.40 the previous day, reflecting risk-off sentiment amid a decline in retail and institutional sentiment.