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Tax Receipt
Third Way, an organization I know nothing about, suggests we should get a receipt for the taxes we pay with an explanation of how they're spent.
http://www.thirdway.org/publications/335
This sounds like a great idea. Most Americans don't have any idea what we spend on foreign aid. They'll guess that's anywhere from 10-20% of the budget. In reality, it's about .5 percent.
I have a few concerns. First, the example is based on a specific income. If the answer isn't given on a per $1000 basis, or something similar, it's harder to talk about with your neighbors. Perhaps two sections, your receipt and another with the per $1000 figure.
Second, this example says nothing about debt. It should. If debt is left out, we're getting a false picture of our finances.
Finally, even the process of producing something like this is likely to be politicized.
http://www.thirdway.org/publications/335
This sounds like a great idea. Most Americans don't have any idea what we spend on foreign aid. They'll guess that's anywhere from 10-20% of the budget. In reality, it's about .5 percent.
I have a few concerns. First, the example is based on a specific income. If the answer isn't given on a per $1000 basis, or something similar, it's harder to talk about with your neighbors. Perhaps two sections, your receipt and another with the per $1000 figure.
Second, this example says nothing about debt. It should. If debt is left out, we're getting a false picture of our finances.
Finally, even the process of producing something like this is likely to be politicized.