Q-and-A Club: Tax-and-Spend Game -- Funding for vibrant communities and eco-systems

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Q-and-A Club Questions

Community of the Curious and Courageous

picture of earth by NASA Foreign Aid

Tax-and-Spend Game Category 11

How do you evaluate the importance of these programs that are possible because of the taxes we pay?

NOTE #1: There are no explanations or definitions for the programs I've listed because I want to keep this simple enough that you will actually play the game. Use your experience or the Internet to help you evaluate a program's importance if you don't know much about it.

NOTE #2: SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR CHANCE TO ENTER A DRAWING

When you see the world from space, there are no lines deliniating borders between countries. There is only the awareness that we all share this fragile planet and must surely find a way to help one another survive, without jepordizing the health and well-being of any individual country.

Certainly the United States has come to the rescue of many countries over the last century, for we have a tradition of helping other nations in the interest of world peace and humanitarian needs.

The billions we are pouring into Iraq are given not only because many feel responsible for the devastation caused by a war we started that has gotten out of hand. They are also evidence of America's generosity to those who are in need.

Others would argue that if we deplete our resources by giving more than we can afford, the money is not well-spent. What do you think?

If you are aware of other programs funded by local, state, and/or national taxes that help other countries that 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 provide aid to other countries?

________	Economic aid to developing countries
________	Economic aid to countries fighting terrorists
________	Military aid to countries fighting terrorism
________	Medical aid to countries in need of assistance for their health programs
________	Training programs such as the Peace Corps that focus on education and development of local resources.
________	Humanitarian aid in the form of food and clothing to countries suffering from hunger and/or natural disaster

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 foreign aid program 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.

ENTER A DRAWING ONCE A WEEK FOR ELEVEN WEEKS (MARCH 2 TO MAY 17, 2008) FOR A SPECIAL PRIZE

The prize is my latest book, Ask Yourself Questions and Change Your Life: Stop wishing your life were different and make it happen

NOTE #1: All fields are required.

NOTE #2: I will not share your name with anyone and I won't put you on my newsletter list unless you subscribe yourself. This is just information I need for this one drawing, but if you don't give me your correct email address I won't be able to contact you if you win.

NOTE #3: You can enter as often as you like, but each entry must be for another Tax-and-Spend category

Name:

Email Address:

Verify Email Address:

Name of the tax-and-spend category to which your answer below applies:

What government services and programs you now use are you willing to give up in order to help balance the budget? Why?

May I share your answer on the Support4Change blog or website? I will not give your name or email address.
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