-By Vince Johnson
This is my second effort (To get a response from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation)
On December 12, 2008 I wrote the Peter G. Peterson Foundation suggesting that they consider a full page ad based on the “Uncle Sam” concept ad which is enclosed. As yet, they have not responded. After re-reading their Mission Statement, I felt they might be receptive to a second effort. Their Mission Statement is repeated below:
“We are dedicated to increasing public awareness of the nature and urgency of several key challenges threatening America’s future, and to accelerating action on them. To address these challenges successfully, we will work to bring Americans together to find sensible, long-term solutions that transcend age, party lines and ideological divides in order to achieve real results.”
Their mission statement is targeted upon the adult population and it seems to be resonating at an academic level rather than inspiring dedicated action. Consider this reality: “The way to America’s heart is through its children.” Why not approach the adult audience with an ad that tells our kids what we are doing to their future? We warn our kids about strangers. We should also warn them when their future is being destroyed. It is time this headline appeared on a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal:
ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AMERICA
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU OWE ME $210,231!
When our public debt is translated into more personal terms, it has a more meaningful and more direct impact. The news media and politicians should focus upon the importance of saving America’s future for our children, rather than over-hyping the impulsive rush to assure the survival of various commercial enterprises.
Be a student in high school for just a moment. What would you think after you learned that your elders wanted things they could not afford, so they allowed Congress to borrow trillions from your future and arranged to have you and your friends make the payments? And further, if you failed to make the payments (to the IRS) they allowed Congress to pass laws that would fine you, or send you to prison, or both!
The process of teaching our kids how their future is being damaged will make us aware of how important it is that effective action be initiated immediately. One of the first things we should do is teach our kids how to prepare for the austerity and hardships that our irresponsible government has forced upon them.
Among the most rewarding lessons we will ever learn, are those we learn when we are teaching. It’s time to teach!
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Vince Johnson welcomes comments. Please send them to,Vince Johnson(vjadtrak@wvi.com)
See Vince in the new book Americans on Politics. Policy, and Pop-Culture.
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