SC, thanks for the comments. One thing struck me however is your comment aboutr school sports and can we afford them....

I was on the PTA at the middle school a number of years ago and at the time there was NO foreign language offerred until you got to high school. I thought we should at least offer an introduction to foreign languages in the middle school (6-8th grades). (Recently they have added languages so at least my youngest is getting some in 7th grade.)

Well the language idea was shot down as we "couldn't afford it" and dead for many years - but we did shortly thereafter start middle school travelling interscholastic football...

And that was not the government asking for that.

When we talk about cuts it's usually in the other guys favorite programs... whether it elementary school or defense programs. So often little if anything ever does get cut.

Jim at Dawn