Universal Basic Income—A Missed Opportunity and a Vision for Nevada

A little over a decade ago, as revealed in her memoir “What Happened,” Hillary Clinton and her policy team seriously considered advocating for a national Universal Basic Income (UBI). Clinton describes how, after reviewing proposals like the Alaska Permanent Fund and the concept of an “Alaska for America,” her campaign ultimately decided not to pursue UBI at a national level. The primary reason? They couldn’t make the numbers work. In her own words, Clinton wrote: “Unfortunately, we couldn’t make the numbers add up.”

This wasn’t just a passing thought. According to reporting by Vox and the New York Times, her campaign even drafted a section for her platform on UBI, reflecting an awareness that economic insecurity was fueling anger and division across the country. But by the campaign’s calculations, the cost was too great—an estimated $2 to $3 trillion a year. So the idea was shelved, and the moment passed.

But what if the numbers don’t tell the whole story? What if the real cost of inaction has been far greater than the price tag for bold, national investment in the American people?

The Hidden Costs of Inequality

In the decade since, we’ve witnessed an explosion of economic inequality. The top 1% have captured nearly all the gains of economic growth, while millions of Americans struggle with stagnant wages, precarious jobs, and rising costs for everything from healthcare to housing. This inequality isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a threat to democracy itself.

Political scientists and sociologists have shown how widening inequality fuels the rise of reactionary, authoritarian movements—what we can call American fascism. Economic resentment and fear are fertile ground for demagogues who promise to restore lost greatness by scapegoating minorities and undermining democratic norms. It’s no coincidence that Donald Trump, a candidate who openly challenged the legitimacy of our institutions, was elected twice in this era of spiraling inequality.

The damage has been immense. Trust in our electoral system and in the rule of law has eroded. Internationally, America’s leadership has been questioned as we struggle to uphold our own democratic standards. At home, violence and division have become commonplace, and millions feel alienated from the very idea of a shared national purpose.

In Retrospect: The True Cost of Inaction

Looking back, the argument that UBI was “too expensive” rings hollow. Yes, the numbers were daunting on paper. But how do you put a price on the resilience of our democracy? On the strength of our social fabric? On the health of our international alliances and the trust of our people?

The truth is, we paid a far higher price by failing to act. The cost was measured not just in dollars, but in lost opportunity, diminished trust, and political instability. As we tally the damage done by the last decade of unchecked inequality and creeping authoritarianism, it becomes clear: investing in UBI would have been a bargain by comparison.

A New Path Forward: UBI for Nevada, Funded by a Green Marshall Plan

That’s why I am the only candidate for Congress running on a bold, actionable plan for Universal Basic Income for all Nevadans. But this isn’t just a pipe dream—it’s a practical policy, paid for by a Green Marshall Plan that transforms our state’s economy for the 21st century.

Here’s how it works:

• We establish a Nevada Permanent Fund, modeled after Alaska’s successful oil dividend, but funded by new green energy revenues and federal investment in sustainable infrastructure.

• Every Nevadan receives a guaranteed income, giving families security, entrepreneurs a springboard, and our economy a steady heartbeat that doesn’t depend on the next boom or bust.

• By making this investment, we fight poverty, empower communities, and inoculate our democracy against the forces that would tear it apart.

Conclusion: The Choice is Clear

Hillary Clinton’s memoir reminds us that bold ideas are often dismissed as “impractical”—until history proves otherwise. Today, we know the real cost of inaction. We know that inequality is more than a statistic; it’s the fuel for division, extremism, and loss of faith in our institutions.

We can’t afford to make the same mistake again. As your candidate, I’m committed to a future in which every Nevadan has the security, dignity, and opportunity that only Universal Basic Income can provide. Let’s invest in people, protect our democracy, and lead the nation by example.

Gamy Enriquez, MPA

Independent Democratic Candidate, NVCD-02

Sources:

• Clinton, Hillary Rodham. What Happened. Simon & Schuster, 2017.

• Matthew Yglesias, “Hillary Clinton considered basic income. She decided it wouldn’t work.” Vox, 2017.

• Thomas B. Edsall, “The Increasing Significance of the Decline of Men.” The New York Times, 2017.

Let’s make the bold choice—because the true cost of inaction is simply too high.