CPL Conversation - The National Debt: What Do We Owe the Future?
AUGUST 16, 2026 • 5:00-7:00PM PT / 8:00-10:00PM TIME ET
The national debt raises questions about national priorities, government programs, taxes, and our responsibility to future generations. People across the political spectrum may agree that the issue matters while differing on what caused it, how urgent it is, and what should be done.
At this meeting, we’ll explore how people think about debt, responsibility, tradeoffs, and the role of government in shaping the country’s future.
We’ll ask questions such as:
- What experiences or values have shaped the way you think about the national debt?
- What do you think most people misunderstand about the national debt?
- What kinds of tradeoffs feel reasonable—or unreasonable—when it comes to government programs, taxes, and public services?
- What policy or policies would you create to address the national debt?
- Where do you think people across the political spectrum might find common ground on the national debt?
This will be an opportunity to explore different perspectives on responsibility, priorities, and what we owe one another across generations.
Please do your best to arrive at the beginning of the meeting. Once we are in breakout rooms and the conversations have started, the meeting doors close to new arrivals. The breakout rooms open, and the doors close, approximately 15 minutes after the hour.
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