Q-and-A Club: Tax-and-Spend Game -- Funding for housing and community development

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Q-and-A Club Questions

Community of the Curious and Courageous

Community Development Plans Housing and Community Development

Tax-and-Spend Game Category 8

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

What is more essential than having a roof over one's head and more satisfying than living in a community in which you feel a part?

While these questions are related to those in the Economic Stability and Job Growth category, they focus specifically on housing and the development of strong communities.

What has been your experience in this area? How much do you want government to support these services, or do you think the private sector can do it without government help beyond legislation that encourages such action?

If you are aware of other programs funded by local, state, and/or national taxes that help develop housing and that promote community development 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 create housing and community development?

________	Home ownership mortgage tax deductions
________	Fair access to housing and related services
________	Affordable housing programs
________	Shelter for the homeless
________	Rental assistance
________	Public housing
________	Fostering a sense of community through events that bring a community together, such as parades and county fairs, founder's day, civic events
________	Beautification programs in cities and towns, including removal of graffiti

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 housing and community development 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.

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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