Featured Articles
Latest National Survey Shows 7-in-10 Americans Support a Bipartisan Commission...
November 30, 2009
Now more than ever, our policymakers must understand that the important decisions they make to solve America's immediate economic challenges can impact our nation's fiscal future, ultimately affecting our children and grandchildren.
PGPF Announces Youth Summit Winners
November 25, 2009
Now more than ever, our policymakers must understand that the important decisions they make to solve America's immediate economic challenges can impact our nation's fiscal future, ultimately affecting our children and grandchildren.
Will the G-20 Haunt or Help Obama Later On?
September 30, 2009
What do AIG, Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch have in common? Some thought that these companies were too big to fail. They were wrong.
PGPF Partners with Mobilize.org
September 29, 2009
Now more than ever, our policymakers must understand that the important decisions they make to solve America's immediate economic challenges can impact our nation's fiscal future, ultimately affecting our children and grandchildren.
Will China's Currency Overtake the Dollar?
September 29, 2009
Now more than ever, our policymakers must understand that the important decisions they make to solve America's immediate economic challenges can impact our nation's fiscal future, ultimately affecting our children and grandchildren.
Revised Health Care Bill Eliminates Public Option
September 16, 2009
More calls for a "fiscal future commission" came from both sides of the aisle today as Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and George Voinovich (R-OH) became the latest prominent lawmakers to introduce the Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act. The legislation, which also has been introduced in the House, aims for "comprehensive reform of our nation's tax and entitlement system and would establish a commission to conduct public outreach and propose long-term fiscal reforms.
New CBO and OMB Deficit Projections Demonstrate Need for Action
August 25, 2009
More calls for a "fiscal future commission" came from both sides of the aisle today as Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and George Voinovich (R-OH) became the latest prominent lawmakers to introduce the Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act. The legislation, which also has been introduced in the House, aims for "comprehensive reform of our nation's tax and entitlement system and would establish a commission to conduct public outreach and propose long-term fiscal reforms.
New Concerns about Mounting US Debt
July 30, 2009
In what some analysts said was the latest cause for anxiety, the U.S. Treasury faced weak demand in its bid to sell $39 billion in five-year debt securities...
Budgetball on the Mall Finals
July 13, 2009
The University of Miami and Philander Smith College of Little Rock, Arkansas sent their tournament-winning teams to Washington to go toe-to-toe with teams from the Legislative branch, the Executive Branch, and policy think tanks. The day featured fierce competition and lots of fun.
Federal Budget on Unsustainable Path
June 30, 2009
A report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) shows that the current federal budget will force the national debt to continue to grow much faster than the economy over the long run. Rising costs for health care and the aging of the U.S. population will cause federal spending to increase rapidly, assuming the continuation of current policies regarding health care entitlement spending (Medicare and Medicaid), and Social Security.
Washington D.C. "Gets Fiscal" with Budgetball on the Mall
June 15, 2009
This weekend, government's policymakers went toe-to-toe with college students — not in a debate or a closed-door session, but by getting "fiscal" on the Budgetball battlefield. In a statement read during the opening ceremony, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner congratulated the players for taking part in an event to help broaden public awareness about responsible financial behavior. In the end, the University of Miami triumphed over seven other teams, including second-place finishers Philander Smith college.
mtvU and PGPF unveil "Debt Ski"
April 23, 2009
mtvU and PGPF launched "Debt Ski," an online flash-video game that spotlights the dangers of excessive debt, challenges young people to avoid destructive financial behavior, and spurs fiscally responsible action. "Debt Ski" is part of the "InDebtEd" campaign, an ongoing awareness initiative to encourage students to help stop the fiscal crisis in the United States.
Bipartisan Leaders Decry Debt, Promote Fiscal Future Commission
April 1, 2009
More calls for a "fiscal future commission" came from both sides of the aisle today as Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and George Voinovich (R-OH) became the latest prominent lawmakers to introduce the Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act. The legislation, which also has been introduced in the House, aims for "comprehensive reform of our nation's tax and entitlement system and would establish a commission to conduct public outreach and propose long-term fiscal reforms.
Citizen's Guide 2009
March 31, 2009
PGPF just released its latest edition of The Citizen's Guide to the State of the Union's Finances. This updated publication is a handy reference for Americans concerned about the economy; it provides a concise summary of where our nation stands financially and where it is headed fiscally.
New National Survey Shows Americans Rank Country's Budget Challenges, Debt and Deficit Top Priority
February 26, 2009
The results are in! PGPF has commissioned the most comprehensive study of public attitudes toward America's fiscal policies since our economic downturn.
PGPF Continues Washington Awareness Campaign with New Print and TV Ads
February 20, 2009
Now more than ever, our policymakers must understand that the important decisions they make to solve America's immediate economic challenges can impact our nation's fiscal future, ultimately affecting our children and grandchildren.
CBO Projects Record $1.2 Trillion Budget Deficit for FY 2009...and That's Before Any Stimulus Action
January 7, 2009
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its latest budget projections today. The report, The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2009 to 2019 (PDF), provides a sobering perspective of the impact of the economic recession and financial crisis on the nation's finances.
America Will Soon Owe More Than Its Citizens Are Worth
December 15, 2008
The sum of America’s debts and other financial commitments is about to exceed the collective net worth of its citizens, PGPF has calculated. Growth in the government’s unfunded promises for social insurance programs such as Medicare, combined with a drop in Americans’ net worth due mainly to lower home equity values, is causing this unprecedented shift.
PGPF Teams Up with MTVU on InDebtEd
December 5, 2008
The Peter G. Peterson Foundation has teamed up with mtvU to create InDebtEd, a new campaign for college students that raises awareness about the dangers of personal and government debt and promotes action to help stop the fiscal crisis in the United States. As part of this campaign, we are asking young people nationwide to participate in the InDebtEd $10,000 Challenge.
Fiscal Responsibility Gets An Encore
October 17, 2008
Who would have thought that a feature documentary about America's addiction to debt and its consequences could prove to be so timely? Even before today's financial crisis unfolded, acclaimed director Patrick Creadon's "I.O.U.S.A." received three and a half stars from Roger Ebert and rave reviews from the New York Times and other critics. Imagine what reviewers would say if they watched the movie today.
Demand Answers From The Next Presidential Debates!
October 4, 2008
Americans are seeing the heavy price the country pays when our leaders don’t take steps to fix serious and undeniable problems. We waited for a crisis to hit before anyone moved to act.
Washington Must Heed Fiscal Alarm Bell
September 22, 2008
What do AIG, Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch have in common? Some thought that these companies were too big to fail. They were wrong.
Join PGPF's Call for Leadership
September 5, 2008
PGPF is publishing a two-page letter in Sunday's New York Times calling for fiscal leadership from the presidential candidates, and for willingness among the American people to not punish the candidates for being honest about our nation's financial condition. A bipartisan group of prominent Americans - young, old, and somewhere in between - have signed the letter, and PGPF invites you to sign it, too.
I.O.U.S.A. LIVE with Warren Buffett, Pete Peterson and Dave Walker
August 22, 2008
Read the transcript of "I.O.U.S.A. LIVE with Warren Buffett, Pete Peterson and Dave Walker," a panel discussion moderated by CNBC's Becky Quick at the Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha, NE.
ISO: A Breakthrough Advertising Campaign
August 9, 2008
PGPF is seeking to engage an advertising team for a substantial national education campaign in late 2008 and early 2009. We are particularly interested in proposals that: use creativity to break the mold of tired old advocacy and advertising efforts; productively blend different forms of media (television, online, print, etc.) to take advantage of each medium's unique advantages and to create a synergistic effect; and educate and inspire young audiences most of all, because it's their future that is imperiled.
Four Key Questions to Jump-start the Fiscal Debate
August 4, 2008
It's time to reframe the parameters of our nation's fiscal debate.
The ABC's of Financial Literacy
July 24, 2008
Next month, schools will reopen their doors, and with PGPF's support, a number of terrific organizations are pioneering a new kind of curriculum: instruction in financial literacy.
What is the Difference Between "Debt" and "Deficit?"
July 18, 2008
The terms "debt" and "deficit" are often used interchangeably in everyday life. But when it comes to our nation's finances, they have very different meanings. So to clear this up once and for all...
"I.O.U.S.A." Gains Washington's Attention
July 14, 2008
Buzz about "I.O.U.S.A.," the PGPF-supported, nonpartisan documentary that tells the story of the national debt, is growing in Washington. The film will screen for reporters in the area on Monday night.
PGPF Launches Unprecedented Fiscal Responsibility Campaign
July 10, 2008
PGPF is leveraging new media, popular media, and other innovative means to engage young people and the business sector in the growing challenges that threaten our financial future, and enable them to take corrective action.
PGPF Leadership Meets with Bipartisan House Members
July 8, 2008
PGPF leaders are pleased to be participating in the first-ever joint gathering of the two official organizations of centrist House Democrats and Republicans. Foundation chairman Pete Peterson and president and CEO Dave Walker will join the Blue Dogs (D) and the Tuesday Group (R) this week to discuss the nation's deteriorating financial position and the need for timely and bipartisan action to address it.
Fireworks and Fiscal Responsibility
July 3, 2008
This Fourth of July, we're celebrating America's 232nd birthday. And what better way to honor the birth of our country than by paying off the national debt?
PGPF Raises Awareness Inside and Outside the Beltway
June 26, 2008
The Foundation continues its blitz of Capitol Hill with Dave's testimony before the Senate Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Financial Management. As he did earlier this week on the House side, Dave will sound the alarm about the nation's deepening fiscal hole - now at $53 trillion, and getting deeper by $2 to $3 trillion every year - and the need for meaningful budget, entitlement, health care, and tax reforms. Without significant action, he warns members of Congress, our current mortgage sub-prime crisis will look like a speed-bump compared to what's coming down the pike.
The Presidents Budget for FY 2011
February 4, 2008
Next month, schools will reopen their doors, and with PGPF's support, a number of terrific organizations are pioneering a new kind of curriculum: instruction in financial literacy.
