Letter & Proposal to President Donald J. Trump
Introductory Letter to President Donald J. Trump
The Honorable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Mr. President,
America’s young people—especially young men—are facing an economic and social crisis unlike anything seen in generations. While older Americans hold the overwhelming majority of the nation’s wealth, younger generations are struggling with stagnant wages, rising housing costs, student debt, and a shrinking pathway to stable adulthood. Many young men in particular are falling behind in education, employment, and mental well‑being, leaving them vulnerable to hopelessness and disconnection.
At the same time, millions of older Americans—especially single retirees—possess both the financial stability and the desire to contribute meaningfully to the future of the country. Yet today, there is no national mechanism that allows these older citizens to directly support younger Americans in a structured, dignified, and mutually beneficial way.
In response to this challenge, I respectfully submit the Civil Intergenerational Support Program (CISP)—a new, voluntary civil contract system that enables single retirees to “financially adopt” youth and young adults. Modeled on the legal clarity of civil marriage and the logic of Social Security dependent benefits, this program creates a safe, regulated pathway for retirees to provide monthly financial support, mentorship, and stability to younger Americans who need it most.
This initiative offers a practical, patriotic, and unifying solution:
older Americans helping younger Americans build opportunity, purpose, and hope.
CISP strengthens families, restores intergenerational bonds, and addresses the economic imbalance that threatens long‑term national stability. It is voluntary, fiscally responsible, and rooted in American values of generosity, responsibility, and upward mobility.
I present this proposal for your consideration and leadership.
Respectfully,
Brian C. Alston
CEO, ND ENTERPRISES, LLC.
(808) 378-9096
profalston@gmail.com
US Proposal: The Civil Intergenerational Support Program (CISP)
A National Strategy to Restore Opportunity, Strengthen Families, and Renew Hope for America’s Younger Generations
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
America faces a widening generational divide. Older Americans now control the majority of national wealth, while younger generations—especially young men—struggle with declining economic mobility, rising costs of living, and a crisis of identity and purpose. This imbalance threatens long‑term economic growth, social cohesion, and national stability.
The Civil Intergenerational Support Program (CISP) offers a voluntary, dignified, and scalable solution. By adapting the logic of Social Security dependent benefits and the legal framework of civil marriage, CISP allows single retirees to enter a civil contract to financially support a young person. This creates a structured pathway for wealth transfer, mentorship, and intergenerational connection.
CISP is not charity. It is a civil institution designed to strengthen the nation by linking generations in mutual support.
THE PROBLEM: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CRISIS AMONG YOUNG AMERICANS
Concentration of Wealth Among Older Generations
Older Americans hold the majority of U.S. wealth due to rising home values, stock market gains, and favorable tax structures.
Younger Americans face stagnant wages, unaffordable housing, and limited access to asset‑building opportunities.
Young Men Are Falling Behind
Research and national trends show:
Lower college enrollment and completion rates
Higher unemployment and underemployment
Increased rates of depression, isolation, and loss of purpose
Declining participation in community, civic life, and family formation
Structural Barriers Limit Upward Mobility
High student debt
Housing unaffordability
Weakening entry‑level job markets
Declining access to mentorship and stable adult guidance
Psychological and Social Consequences
As Jonathan Haidt and others have noted, these economic pressures contribute to:
Identity crises
Loss of meaning
Increased social fragmentation
America cannot thrive if its young people lose hope.
PURPOSE OF THE CIVIL INTERGENERATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM
CISP creates a civil, voluntary system that allows single retirees to financially adopt youth and young adults, providing:
Monthly financial support
Mentorship and guidance
Stability during critical developmental years
This program:
Mirrors Social Security dependent benefits
Extends support beyond biological ties
Creates a new civil contract similar to civil marriage
In short: CISP is a modern, structured way for older Americans to help younger Americans succeed.
PROGRAM DESIGN
Eligibility
Retirees
Single retirees age 60+
Stable Social Security or pension income
Voluntary participation
Youth Beneficiaries
Minors under 18 (or 19 if still in high school)
Disabled youth (disability onset before age 22)
Young adults 18–24 facing economic hardship, including:
Student debt
Housing insecurity
Foster care alumni
Underemployment
This mirrors Social Security dependent benefits but expands beyond biological relationships.
Civil Adoption Framework
Modeled on civil marriage, not parental custody.
A civil contract recognized by the state
Performed by a judge, registrar, or authorized official
Legally binding financial obligations
No transfer of guardianship or parental rights
Background checks and formal documentation required
Rights & Responsibilities
Retiree commits to a monthly support amount
Youth receive financial stability and mentorship
State enforces limits, protections, and compliance
Financial Structure
Monthly Support
$250–$600 per youth, pledged by retiree
Federal Match
50% match up to $300/month for high‑need youth
Family Maximum Rule
Total support capped at 150–180% of retiree’s Social Security benefit
Prevents financial overextension
Restricted Spending
Funds may be used for:
Education
Housing
Food
Healthcare
Savings and asset building
Duration
Until age 18 (or 19 if in high school)
Disabled youth: indefinite
Young adults 18–24: up to 4 years (college, apprenticeship, workforce transition)
HISTORICAL & POLICY CONTEXT
CISP builds on existing American policy traditions:
Pre‑1981 Social Security benefits supported college students up to age 22
Current dependent benefits support minors, disabled children, widows, and dependent parents
Family maximum rules already regulate benefit distribution
CISP modernizes these principles for today’s generational challenges.
SIDE‑BY‑SIDE COMPARISON
Feature | Current Dependent Benefits | Civil Intergenerational Support Program |
Eligible Youth | Minors, disabled children | Minors, disabled youth, young adults 18–24 |
Eligible Adults | Biological ties only | Single retirees supporting non‑biological youth |
Payment Cap | 150–180% of benefit | Same cap |
Legal Basis | Social Security Act | New civil contract law |
Purpose | Support dependents | Transfer wealth & mentorship to struggling youth |
CRITICAL EVALUATION
Strengths
Redistribution with dignity
Voluntary and civil, not bureaucratic
Legally clear and enforceable
Historically grounded
Supports both retirees and youth
Risks
Political resistance to generational redistribution
Administrative complexity
Potential misuse without safeguards
Mitigation
Federal match targeted to highest‑need youth
Mandatory savings component
Ombudsman and grievance system
Annual review and audit
BROADER NATIONAL IMPACT
Economic
Strengthens consumer demand
Helps younger Americans build assets
Reduces long‑term dependency on public assistance
Social
Rebuilds intergenerational bonds
Reduces isolation among retirees
Strengthens communities
Psychological
Gives young men purpose, stability, and mentorship
Gives retirees meaning and connection
Legal
Establishes a new civil institution for intergenerational support
CONCLUSION
The Civil Intergenerational Support Program offers a bold, practical, and unifying solution to one of America’s most urgent challenges: the widening gap between older wealth and younger struggle. By creating a voluntary civil contract that links retirees with youth, CISP strengthens families, restores opportunity, and renews hope.
This is a program rooted in American values—responsibility, generosity, and the belief that every generation should leave the next one better off.
