"Darn potholes!" we complain when once again our tire bangs into a deep hole hidden by puddles from a recent rain. That's the least of our troubles on many of our roads. Just come to Southern California and I'll show you what real traffic is like. True, it's not half as bad as you will find in Cairo, where drivers will create four lanes out of two or three, but it's still enough to contribute to global warming as cars idle and proceed slowly in "rush hour" that can be more easily described as "crawl hour."
Infrastructure is the backbone of a strong economy. Business works best when trucks are able to deliver their goods on time, when telephone service is uninterrupted, when the lights go on if we turn on the switch, when the water system both delivers water and takes away waste efficiently, when we get to the airport and find enough runways for the planes to take off on time, etc.
Once again, as with other programs mentioned in earlier categories, we may complain when we don't receive the service we expect, but we aren't always willing to pay for better infrastructure. Of course, we may notice that the price of gasoline includes a big tax bite, but many other "taxes" on infrastructure are hidden. Rail lines, airport expansions, improved electric grid are not free, even though some private money will pay for much of them. Do you know how your money helps fund infrastructure?
If you are aware of other programs funded by local, state, and/or national taxes that provide infrastructure that a city, state and nation need but are not included in this list, please let me know. Use the Contact Us form.
How do you want your taxes to be spent in order to have a strong infrastructure necessary for economic stability and growth? |
| ________ |
Assure effective running of rail lines |
| ________ |
Provide adequate public transportation |
| ________ |
Running of effective postal service |
| ________ |
Maintenance of water delivery and waste disposal systems |
| ________ |
Fair management of radio and TV transmission |
| ________ |
Maintenance of highways and bridges |
| ________ |
Maintenance of air traffic |
| ________ |
Maintenance of well-functioning, reliable electric grid |
| ________ |
Management and expansion of airports to meet commercial and travel needs |
| ________ |
Assure efficient and reliable telephone service |
| ________ |
Development of alternative power sources |
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HOW TO PLAY
1. Read How Will the Election Change Our Taxes? for an introduction to the game.
2. Read Rules for the Tax-and-Spend Game in order to understand the assumptions under which the rules have been written — and to learn what you have to do to win the game.
3. Use the line in front of each item to write how you would like funding to continue, to be reduced, to be increased, or to be eliminated.
4. Complete all eleven categories in order to win the game.
Remember, while eliminating government waste should be pursued if for no other reason than that it will reduce taxes to some extent, that action alone will not eliminate the national debt.
Ask yourself the following questions to help you consider the importance of each item on the left. Pay particular attention to "why" and/or "how" you answer the question the way you do.
 Have I or my friends benefited from this government program? How?
In what way does this service benefit society as a whole even if I, or my family and friends, are not personally affected by the program?
Do I believe government should fund this program? Why?
If I am currently participating or benefiting from this program, would I be willing to have it eliminated in order to balance the budget?
How would I suggest the services provided by this program be funded? Why? See How Does the Government Get Our Money?
Could the services of this program be easily provided by the private sector? If so, how?
In the line to the left of each item, write one of the following:
Maintain . . .
. . . indicates you are satisfied in having your taxes support that particular infrastructure program in local, state, and national budgets at the same rate your taxes fund it today
Decrease . . .
. . . indicates you want to spend fewer of your tax dollars on that item
Increase . . .
. . . means you believe the government needs to do more than it is currently doing and you are willing to be taxed accordingly
Eliminate . . .
. . . means you do not want the government to provide this service and you know a way in which it can be supported effectively without taxes (see How We Pay for Government Services)
Use the Contact Us form to send comments and questions concerning the Tax-and-Spend Game. |
Infrastructure