What do Thomas Paine, Martin Luther King and Richard Nixon have in common? Amazingly enough, they all advocated for a basic guaranteed income. More than just a pipe dream, they saw it as a way to eradicate poverty. And it’s an idea that is still being debated today. It’s Basic looks at several pilot programs launched across the U.S. that test the effects of giving everyday people $500-$1000 monthly, with no strings attached.   

At the heart of the film are the real people who face economic challenges every day. They come from all backgrounds, and they are of all races and educational levels. Most have jobs. But with prices going up, working for minimum wage doesn’t come even close to covering basic costs like housing, food, and medical expenses. We are the wealthiest country in the world, yet over 60 percent of our population lives paycheck to paycheck. That doesn’t leave much room for emergencies or the unexpected, which was brought home dramatically in 2020 when Covid hit.  

Lucille O’Quinn, who is featured prominently in the documentary, is a single working mother of four, who also takes care of her stepbrother’s two toddlers. Because of the pandemic, she lost her job as a school bus driver. But she was one of the fortunate ones. She qualified for St. Paul’s first guaranteed income program, which gave her $500/month for 18 months and allowed her to continue to put food on her table.

John Summers taught History and Social Thought at Harvard.  When he divorced, he was granted sole custody of his two children, one of whom has autism. He was forced to quit his job in order to become a full-time caregiver. He sees the virtue of basic income as a way to provide stability and consistency, which all children need. 

For each, the extra monthly income is a lifesaver, not a windfall. As Abby Jacoby, a married mother of a toddler, said, “The extra money doesn’t make me lazy … but it’s definitely enough to let me breathe.” 

These beautifully shot and edited profiles give this film both life and heart.  Emmy and Peabody-winning director Marc Levin has delved into these issues before with Stockton On My Mind, which followed then 29-year-old Mayor Michael Tubbs’ bold initiatives to provide more opportunities for the youth of his city.

Tubbs, who also serves as executive producer on this film, went on to found Mayors for Guaranteed Income, which now has 100 city leaders on board, all of whom have spearheaded programs in their cities.

Basic Guaranteed Income is a complicated issue with no easy solutions. What is clear is that all the people in this film are looking for a little bit of help and a chance to make their and their children’s lives better. As Lucille put it so succinctly, “Put a little gas in my tank and I’ll show you how far I can go.”

It’s Basic had its world premiere on Monday, June 12, 2023.

Photos courtesy of Blowback Productions.