There are no words that can begin to describe the tragedy that struck our great nation on September 11, 2001. As I try to find a way to do something for those in need, I still feel helpless. After all, I am only one individual. I have given blood and contributed money to the “old reliables”, Red Cross and Salvation Army, and yet I still feel that I have not done enough. My daughter and I rolled all of our loose change and donated it, as well. But I feel an overwhelming need to do more. I watch the television and see the millions of dollars that have been pledged by the large corporations like Pfizer, Chrysler, J P Morgan, Fox and countless others. But as much money as it seems, it is nowhere near what this country is going to need over the next one, two, or five years.
Our Government has indicated that Congress is already thinking of approving $50 billion in assistance immediately, and more, if needed. This money will provide assistance to the families whose lives were devastated and will also help those that are involved in the rescue efforts. The, no doubt, will need counseling and psychological help. It will be used to fund the rebuilding efforts of the city of New York. It will be used to fund the additional military and other operations that are needed to hunt down the terrorists of the world. It will be used to help the airline industry. Without large financial aid, the airlines will go under. No doubt the companies that insured the World Trade Center are going to need government assistance. Fifty billion dollars seems like a lot of money, but it is probably not going to be enough. Then again, where is it coming from? Regardless of where it comes from, it still must be repaid. However, there might be a way that we, as Americans, can come to the aid of our country.
Although the government is going to provide the monies necessary, we as Americans need to understand that the government cannot do this alone. The government NEEDS our support today more than ever. During WWII, this country raised money by selling “war bonds”. You could buy them through work, through payroll savings deduction. Even though the war bonds worked well, they still had to be repaid at some future date by the government. It was a debt the government incurred in order to fight the war. Well, today we have a little different scenario. The nation’s debt is a little bigger than it was back then, and there are disagreements over the funding of social security, but we are still fighting a war…a war on terrorism. This war may take time, but it’s a war that this country is determined to win. This may also be a very expensive war, and will more than likely need more funding than we currently realize. But, as I said previously, I feel limited as an individual as to how I can contribute to this war.
Martin Luther King once said, “I have a dream…”. Well, I have a dream also…one that might seem unusual to a lot of people, but please, hear me out. I believe that almost every working American would be willing to give at least one dollar each week from their paycheck to assist the government in the war on terrorism. I also believe that there are many Americans that can afford five dollars, ten dollars, or more, per week. If a simple national payroll deduction-plan were to be offered, I believe that the people of this country would give like never before. We could call it the National Emergency Fund, or something of that nature. The point I’m trying to make is that this is a totally voluntary contribution to the Treasury of the United States from the citizens of this GREAT country! It is not a tax, and does not have to be repaid back to the citizens. The government incurs no debt. Now, this does not need congressional approval and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the simplicity involved. The government would not only be helping those in need, but the citizens are directly helping the government in a time of great need.
The advantage to this method of funding, once again, is SIMPLICITY! If it appears that these funds are ever diverted or misused, “we” as individuals can stop the funding immediately. “We the people” would provide the government with a form already designed and ready to use. The United Way has this form available every year, if you recall. No sense in getting the government involved in designing the form as that really might take an act of Congress. The government printing office could then print up this very simple form that each person would voluntarily sign that authorizes his or her employer to enroll in the plan. The government could distribute the forms nationwide, in the most expeditious method available.
If ever there was a time when a government needed it’s people, it is now. If five dollars a week were the average amount given, multiplied by a hundred million workers, we as Americans would be directly responsible for five billion dollars a week. Two hundred and fifty billion dollars per year! Who would believe that we Americans could do that? Just $5.00 PER WEEK!!! Let’s help this great country in its time of need, one person at a time.
-Angelique
Our Government has indicated that Congress is already thinking of approving $50 billion in assistance immediately, and more, if needed. This money will provide assistance to the families whose lives were devastated and will also help those that are involved in the rescue efforts. The, no doubt, will need counseling and psychological help. It will be used to fund the rebuilding efforts of the city of New York. It will be used to fund the additional military and other operations that are needed to hunt down the terrorists of the world. It will be used to help the airline industry. Without large financial aid, the airlines will go under. No doubt the companies that insured the World Trade Center are going to need government assistance. Fifty billion dollars seems like a lot of money, but it is probably not going to be enough. Then again, where is it coming from? Regardless of where it comes from, it still must be repaid. However, there might be a way that we, as Americans, can come to the aid of our country.
Although the government is going to provide the monies necessary, we as Americans need to understand that the government cannot do this alone. The government NEEDS our support today more than ever. During WWII, this country raised money by selling “war bonds”. You could buy them through work, through payroll savings deduction. Even though the war bonds worked well, they still had to be repaid at some future date by the government. It was a debt the government incurred in order to fight the war. Well, today we have a little different scenario. The nation’s debt is a little bigger than it was back then, and there are disagreements over the funding of social security, but we are still fighting a war…a war on terrorism. This war may take time, but it’s a war that this country is determined to win. This may also be a very expensive war, and will more than likely need more funding than we currently realize. But, as I said previously, I feel limited as an individual as to how I can contribute to this war.
Martin Luther King once said, “I have a dream…”. Well, I have a dream also…one that might seem unusual to a lot of people, but please, hear me out. I believe that almost every working American would be willing to give at least one dollar each week from their paycheck to assist the government in the war on terrorism. I also believe that there are many Americans that can afford five dollars, ten dollars, or more, per week. If a simple national payroll deduction-plan were to be offered, I believe that the people of this country would give like never before. We could call it the National Emergency Fund, or something of that nature. The point I’m trying to make is that this is a totally voluntary contribution to the Treasury of the United States from the citizens of this GREAT country! It is not a tax, and does not have to be repaid back to the citizens. The government incurs no debt. Now, this does not need congressional approval and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the simplicity involved. The government would not only be helping those in need, but the citizens are directly helping the government in a time of great need.
The advantage to this method of funding, once again, is SIMPLICITY! If it appears that these funds are ever diverted or misused, “we” as individuals can stop the funding immediately. “We the people” would provide the government with a form already designed and ready to use. The United Way has this form available every year, if you recall. No sense in getting the government involved in designing the form as that really might take an act of Congress. The government printing office could then print up this very simple form that each person would voluntarily sign that authorizes his or her employer to enroll in the plan. The government could distribute the forms nationwide, in the most expeditious method available.
If ever there was a time when a government needed it’s people, it is now. If five dollars a week were the average amount given, multiplied by a hundred million workers, we as Americans would be directly responsible for five billion dollars a week. Two hundred and fifty billion dollars per year! Who would believe that we Americans could do that? Just $5.00 PER WEEK!!! Let’s help this great country in its time of need, one person at a time.
-Angelique
