Submitted by Mike McCall at Yale SOM. My idea is to circumvent the budget authority of the executive and legislative branch of the United States. Roughly speaking, most people pay a percentage of their income as Federal Income tax. Beyond voting for certain candidates, most people have no control over the way federal funds are spent.
What if we designated about 20 major categories where you would like your taxes to go? For example, you might be keen on national defense, pro-life initiatives, and the sort. You could "push" your money to those issues. Or, you might prefer to see your money go to education, job training for veterans, and what not. I myself would like to see more money go to education at the secondary and college level, but I have little control over the issue.
I agree
No opinion
I disagree
Add your comment
fascinating and definitely "out of the box" - I don't think I have ever heard of the concept. And yet we do it for annual giving to Universities, etc. Could be done in whole or in part - e.g. up to one half of your tax money could be "earmarked."
Our government has enough trouble trying to balance the budget as it is. Imagine how much worse it would be if they had to work around the whims of the public.
Obviously citizen designated financing is a complication requiring a good deal of extra trouble. But it puts teeth into democracy that seems sorely needed from a government that is generally unresponsive to the will of the citizenry. It requires, of course, an informed and intelligent public and I am not reassured of current levels in those areas.
A government that relies on the "charity" of the taxpayers. . .
Cool. I think all government programs are a worthless endeavour. Who needs roads? Who needs police, fire, or utility services? Who needs armies? So, I ain't gonna pay any taxes to those organizations ?.?.?
I'll just bet.