Daniel Pink discusses a reader's idea to let taxpayers allocate 25% of their federal taxes to approved funds. He supports it but adds a condition: first take a quiz estimating how tax dollars are actually spent on defense, Social Security, and parks, then allocate your portion after seeing the real numbers.
Hey, this is Daniel Pink. I write the Why Not column for The Washington Post, where we propose big ideas for remaking our country, our organizations, and our lives. We've gotten thousands upon thousands of ideas from readers all over America. Here's one from somebody in Frisco, Texas, who says, why not allow taxpayers to allocate a percentage, 25%, of their federal tax bill, perhaps to an approved set of funds, so that there is more involvement in the taxes we pay? I kind of like this idea. I'd love giving taxpayers more sovereignty over where to direct their money. I would attach 2 conditions to this, though. So let's say that people are paying their taxes online. First, I would give them a quiz and ask them, where do you think your money currently goes? Because I don't think people have any idea how much goes to defense, how much goes to Social Security, how much goes to national parks. Then show them where the money actually goes and then have them decide. I think this could be a powerful idea for giving citizens more involvement. But tell us what you think in the comments below.
