The Problem with Citizens Helping Pay Down the Debt

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Updated: Oct 12, 2011

The Problem with Citizens Helping Pay Down the Debt

Warren Buffett, the multi-billionaire, doesn’t think he pays enough income tax. He thinks the government should tax him more because as a percentage of income, he pays less than his secretary.

There is a place in the Treasury Department called the Office of Public Debt. It accepts checks from people who want to pay down the debt. If Buffett wants to pay more to the government it is a free country and they would be happy, I’m sure, to receive a check in any amount he wishes to send.

The larger question is: Why would anyone want to send more money to a government that is so irresponsible in spending it? If you send your kid to college and he blows his allowance in the first week and calls home to ask for more, would you send him more money? Only if you wanted to encourage more bad decision-making.

Lack of revenue isn’t government’s problem. Lack of restraint when it comes to spending is government’s problem. But go ahead, Warren. Write them a check if it makes you feel better. But don’t demand that the rest of us write one, too.

I’m Cal Thomas

Publication date: August 18, 2011

The Problem with Citizens Helping Pay Down the Debt