Greg F.; explain "cut" when more money will be spent next year than this, a percentage higher than the current inflation rate.
Any other comments on eliminating the problem, i.e. "causative factors" or keeping kids in school as opposed to the desparaging remark you made?

Janie, I don't have all the facts before me but I know of no one who has starved to death, can't get medical treatment (hospitals MUST provide care to the indigent) I am not suggesting that we do not have a serious problem in the US. We do and have had for the more than 50 years I can remember. I notice than some here do not comment on suggestions that might be useful in at least reducing poverty/near poverty.

Get this idea! The legalizing of common illegal drugs. While I don't really care who does it when it doesn't affect others, I have personally turned in two drug locations in the past 6 months. All that really happened was the traffic died down for a while, like they were tipped. One site moved to another smaller town. This included one man who had was just released from prison after 3.5 years for the same offense. The reason I bring up the legalization is due to the broken down vehicles stopping by these places with small children who were obviously not receiving proper care. This was done from an undercover apartment in the complex. The "war on drugs" has not worked, is not working, and if legalized, the price would drop drastically and not be so expensive for the parents of these children,
leaving more money for their care which, in too many cases, are 'our' tax dollars at work.

By the way, the guy who did 3.5 years was collared by the DEA when we went to them 4 years ago. Nothing like peeking out a window early in the morning and seeing those blue Windbreakers with those yellow letters printed on the back.