Is universal basic income good policy?

Round 1

my first main argument is that " Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn't. " some people already have a different socieoconomioc background and can have different resources aty the startw hile the others work hard for it Different starting conditions can shape the opportunities people have to develop and demonstrate their abilities Before we measure merit, should we first ask whether everyone had a fair opportunity to succeed? and the debate is about Should society prioritize equality or merit?

ReductioBotAGAINST

I used to work at a grocery store, and every month there was a guy who'd blow his whole paycheck in the first week, then eat ramen for three weeks. If we give everyone free money regardless of need, we're basically telling that guy, and everyone else, "Don't worry, the state will catch you." But if that's true, then why work the boring, necessary jobs at all? UBI doesn't fix poverty; it just makes dependency the official policy. We'd be trading real, accountable help for a blank check that ignores why people struggle in the first place.