National debt-reduction proposal....thoughts?

[~~Who,Me?~~]

If they would make it illegal for any Congressman or Senator to accept cash, gifts, or campaign contributions from any business or person. That would weed out the crooks. Think about how many of those people when they started out were average Americans with little money and they are now worth Millions.

First, there are limits as to how much a person can accept. Unfortunately, SCOTUS changed the campaign laws, so that's just a circus as we all just witnessed during the recent campaigns.

I disagree that politicians are mostly "average Americans" prior to taking an office. I believe most are quite wealthy. To the contrary, I think it is very difficult for your "average American" to win a House/Senate campaign.

[CW&M Mom]

I only had time to skim but I agree with most of the cuts..

At this time in history I feel we do however need a strong military to secure our borders. That should be funded.. but I agree, having been to the VA with my mom.. There is alot of waste in government healthcare.

I also see alot of waste in our government education system too.. last study I saw was they spend about $16,000 a year per student. I am pretty sure you can get a private elementary education for less than half that. They need to quit building million dollar schools and sports complex's and focus in getting these children to the level they need to compete in a world economy.

And to the top spenders in Washington. If you truly want to make a difference then make one.. and accept an income of what the average in the nation is.. not this six figure income they are sitting on plus the perks.. That would weed out alot of those who dont give a rats patooty about us "common folk". The salaries that are being shelled out in this administration is absurd.. They have more positions than a Kama Sutra book. We dont need all those people micromanaging us.

The feds don't fund that much for the public schools...so there really isn't that much on a federal level that can be done.

Most of it is state money...and state decisions. And most schools could not actually be built with out spending over a million dollars... now the 1/2 billion dollar school built in Los Angelos recently ...is a serious joke.

I'm from utah...where they spend less per student then any other state in the Union...we call it "stack n deep and teach em cheap" and they still have to spend over a million dollars to build schools.

I'm not sure who is getting sports complex's built??? I've lived in 3 states..and have never seen a public school have sports complex. But if there are states that do it...I doubt much of any of it is federal money.

Also feds don't spend money on building schools typically that is a city/county/district (whichever applies) decision which they usually get bond money to pay for...and "sometimes" the state helps out..but probably not that often.





as for 6 figure money...it is very expensive to live in Washington D.C. I don't necessarily mind there actual salary in most instances...but all the other perks...like a pension when you've what..worked there a handful of years...is beyond absurd to me. I also think they should have to shell out more money for there insurance and have nice big fat copays and deductibles like the rest of us.

[TheyCallMeMom]

last years Dept of Education Budget was about 50 Billion.. Thats what they budgeted who knows what they actually spend.. They need to de-federalize that program.

I am sure it is very expensive to live in DC. They should take advantage of technology and stay in their home states, where they have to face constituants daily and video conference. :D

[CW&M Mom]

last years Dept of Education Budget was about 50 Billion.. Thats what they budgeted who knows what they actually spend.. They need to de-federalize that program.

I am sure it is very expensive to live in DC. They should take advantage of technology and stay in their home states, where they have to face constituants daily and video conference. :D

A huge chunk (if not the majority) of that 50 billion is going to be for special needs kids..who have IEP's. That falls under IDEA where the public school systems are required to given them an "equal" schooling regardless of there disability that is in the least restrictive environment for that child. This is paid for in a large part by federal money.

You see...for these children to come to school...you need more teachers (as you cannot put 25 special needs kids to one teacher per class), more aids, often one on one aids. nurses, extremely specialized equipment that is extrodinarily expensive. Separate busing in many cases...that have to have wheelchair ramps on the bus and must be driven to and from school. You need speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists ect.

They are serviced from age 3 thru 21.

This is the glut of that money...and it cannot be trimmed...if the feds tried...they would be sued...and they would lose. School districts try all the time...they get sued...and they lose and are ordered to put back the services that they cut.

**If you understand and agree at this point...please skip the next tiny paragraphs. If you disagree...please read further:

In the end...this is very well spent money. Not only on an ethical standpoint...since before this...children were housed and not taught anything in institutions...but the more "productive" in society one can get these kids in the end is cheaper for all of us in the long run. If these children get no education, no training ect.... it is near guarantee where they will end up...when they are too large to be able to have mom and dad take care of them.

When you aim that the vast majority of these children will either continue to live with mom and dad...or live in some kind of group home, or even independent living situation..this is a gazillion times cheaper then throwing them in an institution or nursing home.

not to mention..the supreme court says THEY HAVE to be educated...and that they have stated that they inherently were not created equal...and that it is the federal and states job to make them equal including spending more per student than regular ed students to get them to be equal.


You also have the federal food program...they found hungry kids don't learn well . You will have some money that goes into each district..into each kid...but I promise you the feds are not actually paying 14K per kid.


As for your last paragraph...fairly certain it's not actually legal. There are all sorts of "requirements" laid out to vote...and being there in the actual room is one of them.