Peter G. Peterson Foundation

Our America. Our Future.

Our Vision

To keep America strong and the American Dream alive by promoting responsibility and accountability today to create more opportunity tomorrow.

Featured Content

America Will Soon Owe More Than Its Citizens Are Worth

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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...

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I.O.U.S.A.: Byte-Sized - The 30 Minute Version

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Reuters said "I.O.U.S.A." "may be to the U.S. economy what 'An Inconvenient Truth' was to the environment."

Watch the trailer (2:10 mins) »
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"...it accomplishes an amazing thing. It explains the national debt..." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
I.O.U.S.A. Makes Oscar Shortlist For Best Documentary Feature

Ten Things You Can Do To Make A Difference Today

Get Informed

Become informed about the key issues facing our country and society.

Teach Your Children

Teach children the importance of being financially responsible.

Register to Vote

Register to vote. Your vote DOES make a difference. If you want the federal government to address the looming fiscal crisis, vote and let your voice be heard.

Engage Elected Officials

Engage current and prospective elected officials.

Vote for Responsible Candidates

Vote for candidates who are leaders and responsible stewards for our future.

Hold Elected Officials Accountable

Hold elected officials accountable for acting on key issues and delivering on their promises.

Join with Other Citizens

Join with other citizens to broaden public knowledge about our fiscal challenges and support civic groups that are working to address them.

Establish a Budget

Establish a personal budget. Identify essential and luxury items and be diligent in cutting back excessive spending on luxury items.

Formulate a Financial Plan

Formulate a financial plan, make sacrifices, but stick to it.

Be More Responsible

Become more responsible in decisions to spend and use credit, save for the future and invest savings wisely.

I.O.U.S.A. Makes the New York Times Crossword Puzzle!

Acclaimed documentary film director Patrick Creadon's worlds collided on Sunday, December 21 when the title of his latest film, I.O.U.S.A., popped up as the answer to 2D in that day's New York Times crossword puzzle. The clue: "2008 documentary about the national debt..."

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Leading Experts Reach Consensus at Inaugural PGPF Policy Conference

This week, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation held its inaugural policy conference, the 2030 Summit, in New York City. Leading economic thought leaders, including Former Federal Reserve Chairmen Alan Greenspan and...

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I.O.U.S.A.

The State of the Union's Finances

What is the federal government's financial condition?

Download the guide and get the facts!

THE GOVERNMENT
WE DESERVE

All Issues »

The Breadth of Brokenness
December 18, 2008

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Broken Government
November 24, 2008

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The Real National Debt

Per most recent available data.

Total Federal Burden
$56,400,000,000,000

Your Share
$184,000

What Can You Do? »
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Our Mission

We are dedicated to increasing public awareness of the nature and urgency of several key challenges threatening America's future, and to accelerating action on them. To address these challenges successfully, we will work to bring Americans together to find sensible, long-term solutions that transcend age, party lines and ideological divides in order to achieve real results.

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InDebtEd Campaign

InDebtEd

PGPF & mtvU launch InDebtEd, an education campaign for college students.

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Video

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Watch PGPF President Dave Walker's Welcome Message and Call for Fiscal Responsibility
(2:19 mins)

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