Options Other Than Presidential Election Campaign Fund Donations

The only option on my tax return is Presidential Election Campaign Fund with the following provision. The Presidential Election Campaign Fund reduces candidates' dependence on large contributions from individuals and groups and places candidates on an equal footing in the general election. If you or your spouse would like to designate $3 to the fund, please check the applicable box. Checking a box below will not change your tax or refund.

It would to nice to see other options like an emergency relief fund or national debt relief.  Such additional options would allow American tax payers to be donated to more than a presidential election fund. Granted, a non-government agency would be better to handle the funds as the IRS still cannot balance their books. 

We have seen how $5 or $10 donations add up with the recent fund raising for Haiti. It would be nice to see funds raised to help improve situations in America.

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Made in USA

With this current economic situation, I feel the simplest thing I can do to help is to start buying products that say "Made in USA" on them. I am sick of the USA being shipped overseas one dollar at a time. I will no longer buy products made in another country. This also means I will not be buying products that just say "Marketed by ...." or " Manufactured for..." I want to see that "Made in USA" on the label.

By doing this I am supporting the companies that are using American work force. I do not have to buy anything that was made outside the USA. I realize this is hard to do. Some products are built in the USA but the components may have been made outside the country. It is worth the time and energy to look at the label to support our fellow US workers.

Sometimes my decision means I have to pay more for the product. I know that the extra money is going to support US businesses and workers. Here is a recent example from my local WalMart. I paid $.97 for Idahoan Mashed Potatoes that were made in the USA instead of $.72 for Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes that said "Manufactured for....". I know I paid a quarter more for the product I bought but I feel proud to have spent the American money on an American product.

As more people start doing this, it will cause a decrease in the demand for foreign made products and an increase demand for American made products. This will then create more jobs here instead of overseas. This is one of the simplest ways a regular American citizen can help the current economy.
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