Discussion Board Assignment

National Debt Assignment

Assignment Instructions

1. Watch the videos
2. Read the supporting documents and graphs (Required Readings)
3. Write an informed post (1-2 paragraphs) using the information provided to support your position. 

Note: You must cite information from the videos, documents, or visuals to support your position. Do not simply state your opinion; opinions are usually worthless when trying to influence an important decision.

Assignment Questions/Comments

The following questions should start the critical thinking process.  Your post should address all of the questions below, however, please do not copy and answer the questions.  Remember, your paragraph(s) should be thoughtful and well-written. 

1. Given the size of the national budget and America’s gross domestic product (GDP), is the national debt a problem? Why or why not?

• Regardless of your answer for question 1, what specific areas of the budget would you reduce, and by how much, in order to create a budget surplus?  Keep in mind the difference between discretionary spending and mandatory (entitlement) spending.

• Regardless of your answer for question 1, what specific actions would you do to increase revenue?  If you want to raise taxes on a group of people (i.e. “the rich”) then you must address how much (or what percentage) of the federal revenue from taxes are already paid by the group.  See note below.

• How would you justify your decision to the people impacted by your budget recommendations for questions #2 and #3?

Note: You should address the total monetary amount and percentage paid when discussing taxes.  For Example, a lower income person making $20,000 a year paying $2,000 in taxes is paying 10% of his income.  A rich person making $1 million a year paying $50,000 in taxes is paying 5% of his income.  Is the rich person “paying his fair share?”  He’s paying a smaller percentage of his income, but he’s also paying $48,000 more in taxes than the lower income person.  You can spin the numbers both ways. Students who do not address both sides will have points deducted for being sneaky (or dishonest, whichever term you prefer).