There is a little known program through the U.S. treasury whereby citizens can make tax deductible-donations towards the US national debt. Yeah, who would do that. We'd rather complain about it..
307-310 million citizens.
What if $2 was donated twice a year, voluntarily, to the pay the U.S. debt by every American? Or more than a few dollars?
We all got ourselves into this mess. Even if we disagree about this or that entanglement or function of government, as citizens, we are partly responsible for acting towards some resolution. I'd rather we maintain and expand Social Security, Medicare, and affordable healthcare. I'd rather people who could truly afford more taxes paid more taxes. But we are where we are.
If even 50% of Americans gave $2 in March (?) and $2 in September (?) to pay off the debt, it would generate $612 million dollars. It doesn't sound like much, but some might want to give more. The point is to find a place in the year, non-holiday-ish, nothing too distracting going on...
We should have a voluntary national holiday -- a voluntary army for the debt -- that honors acts as a real citizenry twice annually, by donating towards ending the debt and saving important government programs: things we believe should not succumb to the tides of economies if ever possible.
The most the Treasury has received in contemporaneous times is $21 million in 1994.
Well it would take a long time to pay it off this way, but surely many would donate more than a few dollars, and by ending wars, finding new sources of revenue from especially well-off people, etc., we should be able to improve our standing. If we at least show we can do something about the debt, Washington might get busy on their end.
From CNN:
There are two ways to give:
One is to send a check directly to the Bureau of Public Debt, an agency within the Treasury Department. The address: Attn: Dept G, Bureau of the Public Debt, P.O. Box 2188, Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188.
The other is to include a check -- separate from any tax payment you make - with your federal income tax return.
The article mentions that Treasury is working on an online way to donate, via Pay.gov, but it doesn't appear to up and running yet.
Please tell me what you think of this idea, and spread the word. Maybe I'm delirious, but it makes sense to me.