[spacefreak]

I don't necessarily think it's fair that non-poor folks won't get rewarded for making good decisions, but this proposal is much better than just handing out money to the poor...

NYC Mayor Suggests Paying Poor
Poor New Yorkers who make healthy choices - such as staying in school and regularly seeing the doctor - should be rewarded with cash to help break the cycle of poverty, Mayor Michael Bloomberg suggested Monday...

"We want to reward those who have the initiative to go out and try to make their lives better, and if the system is stacked against them making their lives better, that's what we're trying to change," Bloomberg said.

His deputy mayor for health and human services, Linda Gibbs, served on the anti-poverty commission and will help guide its recommendations into policy. She said the reward details - such as amounts and qualifications - are still being studied. But she said the city is encouraged by the success of similar programs in other countries, where the benefits endure for years because they create behavior patterns.

New York officials say the cash rewards would not come from government funds. Gibbs said the administration wants to privately raise funds, beginning with about $24 million for programs that reward good behavior in education and health care.

[nonhuman]

Damned good idea. You have to actually do something worthwhile before you get any money.

[Dakar]

God, I used to think of stuff like this when I was in high school. Who knew anyone actually liked the idea.

[Kr0nos]

This is one of the biggest steps in the right direction I've seen in decades. Bravo!