America's Fiscal Future
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America's Fiscal Future

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America's Fiscal Future

Two bipartisan commissions recently proposed plans to achieve significant debt reduction, furthering the national conversation. For several years, MacArthur has supported projects to develop evidence and policy alternatives for addressing the country's deteriorating fiscal condition and to ensure a sound fiscal future. The Foundation is also committed to informing the American public and policymakers of the fiscal realities facing the country.

"A nation that does not control its finances is not in control of its destiny. It acts out of necessity, not choice," said MacArthur President Robert Gallucci. "The fiscal crisis we face is so severe that it threatens the ability of our government to act creatively, or even responsibly, to deal with problems we now face and those that will emerge in the future."

"That concerns us all – and it has particular resonance for MacArthur. As a Foundation, we want to see an effective government that can improve people's lives with thoughtful programs. We develop and support policies for better juvenile justice, housing, education, and more. Government should be able to make choices that reflect our nation's best values and highest ideals, not our biggest debts."

Highlights of MacArthur-supported work to address the national debt include –

•  Choosing Our Fiscal Future, a nonpartisan joint report from the National Research Council and the National Academy of Public Administration offers policymakers ways to address the nation's fiscal problems.

•  This summer, 3,500 Americans gathered together at 57 sites across the country to deliberate about our nation's fiscal future. Participants found significant common ground.

•  There are practical solutions to the nation's fiscal problems but there's a partisan gap on how urgent the problem is and what the prospects are for action, according to a survey of 300 Washington influencers by MacArthur grantee Public Agenda.

•  More than 70 percent of mid-term voters polled in a post-election survey say it is "very important" that Congress takes steps to reduce the national debt.

•  With support from MacArthur, the Frameworks Institute has been conducting research to understand the underlying assumptions Americans have about budgets and taxes. Talking About Budgets and Taxes is a toolkit compendium of their research.

In the coming months, MacArthur plans to support additional analyses of the impact of alternative debt-reduction proposals.

For more information

About MacArthur's grantmaking on America's fiscal future ››

Stay informed and engaged in choosing our fiscal future ››

  Video: America’s fiscal future: Making difficult choices ››