The more anxious isolated and time-deprived we are the more likely we are to turn to paid personal services. To finance these extra services we work longer hours. This leaves less time to spend with family friends and neighbors we become less likely to call on them for help and they on us.

It's long been accepted as fact that the availability of family planning services saves lives. Where women have access to these services children and families are healthier and society at large benefits.

Failure to properly control our borders costs citizens in many ways: schools become overcrowded medical resources are stretched too thin other government services are overtaxed and taxes increase further.

If bringing up the next generation is important why aren't they the best qualified the best paid? Why aren't we as concerned about their career progression as we are about those who work in the education or health services?

I cherish the creation of public space and services especially health housing and the comprehensive education system which dared to give so many of us ideas 'above our station.'

Delaware State began as a school bent on service - teaching education social services and nursing.

As a former recipient of these services I can honestly say that the overwhelming majority of TANF recipients are hard-working Americans who are down on their luck and just want an opportunity to better their lives and those of their family through work and access to education.

By cutting critical domestic programs such as education health environmental protection and veterans' services this budget reveals misplaced priorities.

Of all the public services education is the one I'm most interested in. You get a more dynamic economy you deal with most social problems and it's morally right.

Reforming public education cutting property taxes fixing adult and child protective services and funding our budget can all occur when Democrats and Republicans engage in consensus and cooperation - not cynicism and combat.