Our government is pushing American citizens out of their sight, so they can focus on what is happening in distant countries. As government officials are busy determining the final budget plan, they are strongly considering cutting funds to things such as education, health care, Social Security, Planned Parenthood, NPR and PBS.

The government’s sole purpose in a democracy is to protect its people and ensure they are entitled to their born rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Well, how is this being achieved by essentially ridding our country of the programs that better the life of American citizens?

As the prices of education rise, less of us will be able to attend schooling after high school graduation. This greatly decreases the intellect of the American body. Without available and affordable access to health centers and assistance, will this lead to levels of sickness rising and spreading more rapidly?

The government needs to be able to answer these and other questions before they go ahead with cutting funds to these programs. They must live up to their role in this country and put the lives and happiness of American citizens before absolutely anything else.

Rachel Bishop
Kingston