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There are human consequences when we reduce government funding, therefore it is incumbent for us to inspire and encourage private citizens and communities to create ways to bear one another's burdens.

In our country, there are many programs that exist to provide for the health, welfare and education of citizens that could be done by its citizens on a local level and create a far-reaching effect for generations to come. Federal programs exist for education, employment, medicine, housing development and transportation. While well-meaning, these programs create two negative consequences: 1) The drive to be creative is diminished and 2) Persons become dependent on an institution; namely government which was never intended to provide for the 100% needs of an individual or family.

Programs, whether on a local, state or national level, impact people on a daily basis. These are flesh and blood men and women who are either fighting for the "American Dream," or who are taking advantage of these said programs. Therefore in our urging for the reduction of programs that are funded with our tax dollars we must remember that as those dollars are removed, men, women and children are impacted.

The Department of Education's mission is to "promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access."

According to Whitehouse.gov and the FY2012 Budget, the Department of Education requested $77.4 Billion dollars. This makes up 2.77% of the total budget for the United States. In this budget 150 million dollars would be invested into what is called Promise Neighborhoods which is designed "to support effective community services, strong family supports, and rigorous comprehensive education reforms to improve the educational and life outcomes for children and youth in high-need communities."

Can we consider for a moment this program of improving neighborhoods through community services, strong families, and educational improvement and life outcomes? Ask yourself, "Who is better equipped to address the needs in your community? What resources are currently available in my community to support and improve families, communities and education in high need areas?" I ask this question because someone who does not live in Conway has determined to secure a portion of your funds to improve a community that you may never see or have heard about.

It is usually said of conservatives that they do not care about kids, the elderly, or community. It's about God, guns, military, lower taxes, smaller government and pro-life. Now I am not disputing the veracity of those comments concerning "God, guns, military, etc.," but I will dispute that conservatives do not care about kids, the elderly and community.

<strong>What we must do is bring solutions to the table.</strong>

I would argue that the federal government is ill-equipped to disburse funds and improve local communities. I saw with my own eyes last month as the government came into a community and gave away two free cell phones to include a year plan. These phones were then taken and sold as a profit. Who was helped in that situation? This $150 million returned to the hands of Americas citizens would be better stewarded to care for the communities in which they reside and surround.

Now by reducing or eliminating a program that has been federally funded with tax payer dollars it implies that organizations that have depended on these funds will have a financial and operational vacuum which will impact a Jordan, Talia, Emmit or Nichelle or Caleb. Organizations will have to either reduce their services or find alternative means of funding.

<strong>This is where you come in.</strong>

If we can encourage one another to think locally and creatively engage our city, there is no need for the federal government to create programs that take money from us and then turn around and redistribute as they deem necessary. It means private citizens, churches, local businesses, non profits and city government coming together to discuss and act for the good of the city.

Among us are men and women who have been trained to counsel, overcome addictions, former military and police officers. It is through this collective wisdom we can harness our resources and display to our kids, grandkids and to legislators, we will keep our resources local and we will create neighborhoods of promise.

Conservatives, as a non-profit founder, I support you in the reduction of federal programs. I would caution you though that there are some programs that can be eliminated immediately such as, Promise Neighborhoods and there are others like Welfare that must be accomplished gradually. Like I said, as we fight to reduce or eliminate federally funded programs, a vacuum is created that must be filled and we must be prepared to do so.

So as you are in discussions with your friends, neighbors and family about reducing programs put forward tangible solutions. Put forward solutions that will say to our city and nation, "We will not have government care for us. We are image bearers of God who have been given a creative mind to imagine the possible and a soul that knows "I must care for the one next to me."

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