Then the vast majority of the population are rejecting basic income for the wrong reasons. Nothing about basic income invalidates meritocracy. In fact I would say it strengthens it. No longer is the rat race composed of a hodgepodge of willing, unwilling, and incompetent workers. All the unwilling or incompetent workers drop out. Those that still work have reasons to work besides filling a seat for 8 hours so they can continue to afford a meal .

The recent poll I've seen has 54% oppose to 34% support, with the remainder not sure, with the "Social Security for all" phrasing. [1] That is majority opposition, but its not the "vast, vast majority", and its on something which while its gotten some media attention, its been very little in mainstream media, and certainly no big public sales effort in the US. (Same sex marriage took about 10 years to cross a similar, net 19% oppose, gap -- and that's with firmer opinions [fewer unsure].) [2]

[1] https://today.yougov.com/news/2014/01/09/poll-results-guaran...

[2] http://www.gallup.com/poll/117328/marriage.aspx

Meritocracy still persists under a UBI, just like meritocracy persists alongside our welfare system.

> Confiscating money from everyone, and then distributing it equally amongst the population (Regardless of whether they need it or deserve it) doesn't sit very well with people.

Yes, that is a massive political hurdle that will need to be overcome. A large problem is that the way we tax isn't ideal. A land value tax would be easier to justify from a moral standpoint, along with being economically superior to an income tax.