FIFTH COLUMN
by Marcello Veneziani

But you can't fix it along the way citizenship income, make it more socially useful, ethically more worthy, more economically sustainable, linked to an asset rather than a liability? I'm not saying abolish it, at this point, I say at least correct it, bringing him back to reality. I'll try to explain myself.
First of all, what's wrong with citizen's income? Which is assigned by practically leaving the beneficiary at home or allowing him to work illegally. An income assigned regardless of commitment, by merits and abilities. The first signs of its perverse functioning are not lacking and the so-called navigators or coaches who should evaluate the requests and access to income of citizens remain shrouded in parastatal mythology.
It shouldn't be an unproductive income, a heavy burden borne by the community, and that it is entrusted to a vague job placement path, on the basis of which job offers will gradually be presented to the beneficiary (come from where, generated by whom?). All very smoky, even if paved with good intentions. Instead let's try to have another discussion, starting from the society we live in.
So, we live in a society of old people, increasingly older and lonely, abandoned to their fate and to the TV. Young people in turn abandon the cities, especially the southern countries, they go away in search of fortune. A terrible age-related racism is created in our societies whereby the old can only be with the old and the young can only be with the young, there is no longer active communication between generations, a chasm has opened between the ages. Families fall apart between the elderly who need to be cared for and the children who "divorce" their parents because they have to go and look for work far away. What will become of many centers where children leave, reduced to chronic hospitals or shelters for jobless migrants? It is a serious emergency but there is no political and social discourse that tries to address the issue.
At this point I say: why not transform the citizen's income into a renewed generational pact? Why not give a subsidy to those who deserve it, or to those who accompany and assist one or more elderly people, helping them with their shopping, to leave the house, to read the newspaper to them, to accompany them to church, to follow them in bureaucratic and healthcare procedures? A guardian angel for every old man who needs it, almost an adopted nephew to help him in his daily life. Citizenship income would be linked to an activity actually carried out. And for obvious reasons it would be assigned for reasons of proximity to local kids, who know the location where the elderly person lives and his habitat, I am able to accompany him, they speak his language and perhaps his dialect, in short, they are a bit like home and therefore more reassuring for the elderly. The company subsidy it would benefit not only children but also the elderly and would be a relief for the families of both. And it would re-establish that bridge between generations, that life communication between young and old that doesn't exist today. But not only that: it would avoid that chasm that usually opens up between the end of studies and the start of work, creating a period of compensation and maturation for the kids before deciding to leave, to leave the country.
It would not be health care for which specialized personnel are needed but the help would concern that previous phase, due to age, to the uncertainty of sight and steps, at the first onset of forgetfulness and insecurities, it would be caring, a rush. And in some cases it could give rise to beautiful friendships beyond age, mutual aid, mutual episodes of gratitude, adoption of children into their homes, even emotional bonds.
This hypothesis too, such as citizenship income, probably presents practical difficulties in implementation, as well as equally significant costs; requires complex filters, agencies that identify the truly needy old people and the truly industrious young people, and are capable of connecting them and mutually guaranteeing that this occurs without harm. Also in this case it is necessary to be vigilant to avoid cases of cunning, backroom deals and other scams. Just as nothing excludes that this type of assistance and companionship could also be extended to wealthy pensioners who could contribute with a share proportionate to their income, to support the guardian angel to whom they have been entrusted.
It would be a more humane society, more supportive, more aware of its reality. Maybe someone would like a law like this too Pope Bergoglio, even if it doesn't concern migrants. And it would actually provide a decent job, ethically and morally decent, as well as socially useful: it would restore dignity to the young and the old. There is someone willing to try their hand at the business? Time wasters and crafty seekers of electoral slogans are excluded...
MV, The Truth 9 April 2019
source – http://www.marcelloveneziani.com/articoli/un-ponte-tra-vecchi-e-giovani/