THIS
ARRIVED IN THIS.
I was at first suspicious. What else would I inadvertently sign up for when registering my $5.00 gift card? Then I was dismayed. What happened to delighting children when they discover a cheap plastic toy, not a Discover card, inside the cereal box?
What Does this Have to Do with the National Debt?
or
If You Want Innovation, Get Naked
I tweeted a few snarky comments then went to take a shower – the place where many innovative ideas come to life. Is it just by chance that we are often our most creative selves when we are also our most naked and vulnerable yet somewhat protected selves (shower curtain or door) and about to come clean?
That’s where the idea showered upon me for lowering the national debt and involving the citizens, you and me, in doing so. If each of us cashes in the $5 card, deducts the price of the cereal, one envelope and a postage stamp, then sends the remaining money to the federal government we would all contribute to lowering the national debt.
Here’s the Math..
which is not my strong suit.
As of September 2011 the U.S. national debt was close to 1.5 trillion dollars.
There are 310,981,049 citizens in the U.S.
Each person’s share of this debt is approximately $47,000.
By the way, the value/cost of individual shares could be lowered significantly by way of immigration reform that makes it easier to become a citizen or to participate legally in the American economy without becoming a citizen. This would solve two problems at the same time.
Back to the math.
1 Box Special K = $3.99, use a $1.00 coupon = ($2.99) + Stamp = (.47) +Envelope = (.05) =3.51
This leave $1.49. If every citizen sends this amount to the federal government the debt is reduced by $463,361,963.01
Let’s assume 25% of those participating in this program will go all out generous, pay for the cereal, the stamp and the envelope then send the whole $5.00 to the federal government. The number jumps by $272,885,870.50
If we change immigration laws and get other countries to join the program we could certainly put a big dent in the deficit, while enjoying a breakfast of Special K to celebrate.
P.S.
You will likely find some errors in the math. Feel free to report them by way of a comment.
And if you have a better idea for lowering the national debt, write to you elected officials.