A New Path Forward: The Freedom Dividend for All
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
My name is Gamaliel “Gamy” Zavala Enriquez, and I am running for Congress as an Independent Democrat. I am reaching out to you today to share a vision for a stronger, fairer America—one where economic opportunity is truly accessible to everyone. At the heart of my campaign is a commitment to implementing a Universal Basic Income (UBI). UBI is a policy in which every citizen receives a regular, unconditional payment from the government, regardless of employment status or income. This idea is also known by other names—including the Freedom Dividend, Alaska Permanent Fund, or Nevada Permanent Fund—but they all refer to the same core concept: a direct cash payment for everyone. I call it the Freedom Dividend, modeled after Alaska’s popular dividend program. This isn’t theory—it’s a proven, practical solution that can transform the lives of millions.
The Freedom Dividend: A Direct Investment in People
Imagine receiving $1,300 every month, no strings attached. (Cerullo, 2019) This Freedom Dividend isn’t just a handout—it’s a hand up, designed to give every American a stable foundation to build on. Funded by ensuring billionaires and the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share, this UBI would provide a lifeline to families, working people, small business owners, and seniors alike.
How Does UBI Compare to Existing Benefits?
Let’s take a closer look at how the Freedom Dividend measures up against other forms of economic support:
Social Security: Currently, the average Social Security benefit for retirees is about $1,900 per month. (The Average Social Security Check by Age, 2026) But eligibility is limited to seniors who have paid into the system and does not cover working-age adults or families struggling right now. Many live on much less, and Social Security benefits have not kept pace with rising costs.
Tax Credits for Homeowners: The average annual mortgage interest deduction for homeowners is roughly $2,000, but this benefit only helps those who already own property and have enough income to itemize deductions—leaving out renters, young people, and the working poor. (Aurand, 2023)
Corporate Tax Credits: Major corporations receive billions in tax credits each year. In 2023 alone, Fortune 500 companies paid an average effective tax rate of just 14%—far less than many working families. (Sullivan, 2023) These credits are meant to encourage investment and job creation, but too often, the money boosts stock buybacks and CEO bonuses instead. (Corporate Buybacks: A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing, 2024)
Small Business Owners: Unlike big corporations, small business owners rarely see such generous support. They face high taxes, rising costs, and limited access to capital. (The Affordability Framework, n.d.) The Freedom Dividend would provide every entrepreneur with a reliable income floor, making it easier to take risks, hire employees, and innovate.
Why a $1,300 Monthly UBI Makes Sense
A $1,300 monthly dividend is not just a safety net—it’s an economic engine. Here’s why:
Direct Stimulus: Every dollar of UBI is spent in local communities—on groceries, rent, child care, and small businesses—multiplying its impact. Research shows that direct cash payments have a far greater return on investment than corporate tax credits, which often get hoarded or invested overseas. (Bad breaks: Why US tax policies put innovation at risk, n.d.)
Economic Resilience: Remember the 2008 financial crisis? Wall Street was bailed out with trillions of taxpayer dollars—a corporate UBI, in effect. But instead of investing in Main Street, banks sat on their cash, and millions of Americans lost their homes, jobs, and savings. The economy recovered on paper, but growth stagnated and inequality soared. (Hetzel, 2012)
A Better Way Forward: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans received three rounds of stimulus checks. Unlike the Wall Street bailouts, this money was spent immediately on essentials, supporting local businesses and reducing poverty—proving that when everyday people have money in their pockets, the entire economy benefits. (Pandemic-era stimulus lifted millions out of poverty, new government data shows, 2021)
Who Pays?
The Freedom Dividend will be funded by closing loopholes that allow billionaires and mega-corporations to avoid taxes. In practice, this means implementing a Value-Added Tax (VAT)—a consumption tax used by every other country in the OECD except the United States. For too long, the wealthiest have reaped the rewards of our economy without paying their fair share. By making the tax code fairer through a VAT, we can invest in people—not just profits.
The Moral and Economic Case
UBI is not a partisan idea. Alaska’s dividend program, funded by oil revenues, has been supported by both Republicans and Democrats for decades. It works because it trusts people to know what they need most. (Brooks, 2025) The Freedom Dividend is about dignity, freedom, and opportunity for all.
Join the Movement
This campaign is about real change. It’s about building a future where no one is left behind, where small businesses flourish, and where every American can pursue their dreams without fear of falling through the cracks. I invite you to join me in making the Freedom Dividend a reality. Together, we can build an economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthy few.
Let’s make history—one dividend at a time.
