You know, on reflection, I'm pretty sure something like this will be implemented -- someday. Not in our lifetime. But as the world becomes increasingly wealthy and as providing for basic needs becomes proportionately cheaper, I believe that the marginal cost of such a safety net -- something that provides for food, shelter, clothing, and medical care -- will be low enough that the government will provide it to all citizens. Most first world countries are moving in that direction anyway, although by fits and starts.