Government spending and Budget Crisis

So now I learn they are going to try to cut Americorps.

http://www.change.org/petitions/save-americorps

Also they are going to cut PBS and NPR:


http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/budget-debates-begin-republicans-put-npr-pbs-chopping/story?id=12915626

Heating assistance for the disabled and elderly:

http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/533853/HEAP-funding-may-be-cut-in-half.html?nav=5002

Which could means 3 million families that can't pay the outrageous Niagara Mohawk bill would be left without heat.

Also Environmental Protection Agency would see its budget cut by a third.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/house-gop-passes-61b-budget-cuts-senate-democrats/story?id=12958186

I could go on, but I won't. Here is the basic idea that I am kicking around. The average high placed senator, governor, and congressman make $70,000 to 250,000 a year. If each state governor took a 1% pay reduction we would instantly have $65,790 JUST FROM A GOVERNOR SALARY CUT.

Congress Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.

Senate Leadership
Majority Party Leader - $193,400
Minority Party Leader - $193,400

House Leadership
Speaker of the House - $223,500
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400

So how much is that?

In the US there are 100 senators and 435 members of the House of Representatives.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm

Now to another idea. How about government spending on the military?

We spend billions of dollars on sending troops overseas and Military Readiness.

However many Military personnel don't make enough money to support their families, and rely on government programs for food and heat.

http://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp

This has long been a peeve of mine, to ask military personnel and their families to risk life be away from family and not even pay them a living wage.

However we are at the forefront in spending for advanced weaponry, aircraft, and assault vehicle science. To make a small point U.S. military spending – Dept. of Defense plus nuclear weapons (in $billions) – is equal to the military spending of the next 15 countries combined. (Incl. The China, Russia, Britain, Japan, Germany, France and others)

http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm

So as quick as we are to cut money, its an idea to ask those so willing to cut out funding to take a look at where a majority of our spending goes.

If you are not willing to take a budget cut personally, should you be able to cut budgets to those who need the money most?

Just a thought.