“Voluntary taxes offer a politically palatable way to raise additional revenue and perhaps even to strengthen Americans’ sense of patriotism and citizenship.” Pony up, says The Boston Globe. Amidst the economic slump, raising taxes is a political death knell, but this could be solved, in part, if the government were more aggressive in promoting itself. Being more transparent by clearly defining government agencies and their goals would attract donors who usually give to private charities. “Realistically, any upswing in voluntary taxes is likely to be modest. But even a small change…could subtly reshape our conception of government and the citizen’s role,” says The Globe.