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By Briana Booker

Some Americans applaud revolutions occurring throughout the world. Other Americans look on with disgust. But this morning with the House Republicans passing  $1.2 trillion for defunding federal programs, I think it is time for the American people to create our own revolution, to improve our social system. When September 30,2011 comes around it will create further setbacks to our nations recovery. We will be sending our children to early graves. We will increase the number of people in poverty.


Remember when I said knowledge is power? This a prime example of it.


 We place these senators in powerful positions to decide between life and death but our needs as a people are not being met. 


What happened to the people’s government? Has it ever existed? Are the citizens of this nation just puppets in our own demise?


Times are hard and times will become even harder when these federal programs defund domestic programs. Domestic programs include education, environmental protection(no more regulations on gas emissions) and community services. These social elements are what constructs strong societies. Yet our government is cutting $60 billion in funding from these Domestic programs than our previous year.


Not to mention, health care overhaul law will be blocked from most funding. A few days ago it was declared that the government will stop funding Planned Parenthood which provides family planning services. 


Social security is faltering. 


But the most notable bad consequences I have noticed are the challenges it will create for our nation’s children to receive a college education, our mothers to feed their children( $747 million in food aid cut), our nation’s peace initiatives through Americorps will no longer be funded by the government. And our freedom of press will be defunded by the government eliminating  federal funds for Public Broadcasting such as NPR.


How are we going to be a prosperous country if our government keeps oppressing us? 


The government will be reducing Pell Grants to low-income students by $5.6 billion. The maximum Pell Grant is $5,550. This will be reduced by $845. For-profit colleges will make it more challenging for students to get federal loans and grants. More profits for schools; more debt for students.


Is this the America we dreamed of? Or is this a continuing nightmare? 




Let our voices be heard. Let our children be fed and educated. We would not need the majority of these programs if we enable our children with a strong education and provide them with opportunities of employment to give back to this country. It is that simple. Let us make changes to uplift our nation and ourselves. We can do it. We have to have faith  and determination. This government is out of control. 




If our ancestors could spark positive change, so can we. Let us wake up!