On April 1, 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food chain, ran a full-page ad in the New York Times with this news: “In an effort to help the national debt, Taco Bell is pleased to announce that we have agreed to purchase the Liberty Bell, one of our country’s most historic treasures. It will now be called the Taco Liberty Bell and will still be accessible to the American public for viewing. We hope our move will prompt other corporations to take similar action to do their part to reduce the country’s debt.” Would such actions by corporations actually reduce the national debt as it is now measured? How would your answer change if the government adopted capital budgeting? Do you think these actions represent a true reduction in the government’s indebtedness? Do you think Taco Bell was serious about this plan? (Hint: Note the date.)