5th Grader’s Life Saving Course

Getting something positive out of the government shutdown

By WE THE PEOPLE

Here’s a class project for some really smart 5^th graders. The objective is to ENGAGE THE LEARNER in applying FOUR KEY LIFESAVING STEPS to the current condition of the federal government.  Let's assume that a 911 call is key to successful life saving.  Your response to this article will be accepted as the 911 call.

1: START THE BREATHING -- The federal government is our patient. There is no heartbeat, respiration is shallow and the patient appears to be choking on something. WE THE PEOPLE must open an airway and restore breathing and heartbeat.

2: STOP THE BLEEDING – A significant amount of blood is already out of the body and on the floor. If the patient loses too much blood, the patient dies. WE THE PEOPLE must stop the bleeding.

SOURCE OF THE BLEEDING: H.CON.RES.25 is also known as the “Ryan Budget” or the House of Representatives version of the Federal Budget. Candidates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan hoped to implement such a budget had they won the 2012 presidential election. The legislation proposes a budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2014 and sets forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2015 through 2023. The Ryan budget is not likely to pass in the Senate because it seeks to reverse or “defund” Public Law 111-148. The President is unlikely to sign a bill into law that seeks to reverse or “defund” public laws passed by previous congresses and/or presidents. In doing so, he might undermine the Full Faith and Credit Clause in Article IV of the U.S. Constitution.

SECTION 1. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014.
Sec. 1. Concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2014.
TITLE I--RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS
SEC. 101. RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS.
SEC. 102. MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES.
TITLE II--RECONCILIATION
SEC. 201. RECONCILIATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TITLE III--RECOMMENDED LEVELS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2030, 2040, AND 2050
SEC. 301. LONG-TERM BUDGETING.
TITLE IV--RESERVE FUNDS
SEC. 401. RESERVE FUND FOR THE REPEAL OF THE 2010 HEALTH CARE LAWS.
SEC. 402. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR THE REFORM OF THE 2010 HEALTH CARE LAWS.
SEC. 403. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND RELATED TO THE MEDICARE PROVISIONS OF THE 2010 HEALTH CARE LAWS.
SEC. 404. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH RATE OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.
SEC. 405. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR REFORMING THE TAX CODE.
SEC. 406. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR TRADE AGREEMENTS.
SEC. 407. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR REVENUE MEASURES.
SEC. 408. DEFICIT-NEUTRAL RESERVE FUND FOR RURAL COUNTIES AND SCHOOLS.
SEC. 409. IMPLEMENTATION OF A DEFICIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT REDUCTION AGREEMENT.
TITLE V--ESTIMATES OF DIRECT SPENDING
SEC. 501. DIRECT SPENDING.
TITLE VI--BUDGET ENFORCEMENT
SEC. 601. LIMITATION ON ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS.
SEC. 602. CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS.
SEC. 603. ADJUSTMENTS OF AGGREGATES, ALLOCATIONS, AND APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY LEVELS.
SEC. 604. LIMITATION ON LONG-TERM SPENDING.
SEC. 605. BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.
SEC. 606. APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ALLOCATIONS AND AGGREGATES.
SEC. 607. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATES.
SEC. 608. TRANSFERS FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF THE TREASURY TO THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND THAT INCREASE PUBLIC INDEBTEDNESS.
SEC. 609. SEPARATE ALLOCATION FOR OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS/GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.
SEC. 610. EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWERS.
TITLE VII--POLICY STATEMENTS
SEC. 701. POLICY STATEMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND JOB CREATION.
SEC. 702. POLICY STATEMENT ON TAX REFORM.
SEC. 703. POLICY STATEMENT ON MEDICARE.
SEC. 704. POLICY STATEMENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY.
SEC. 705. POLICY STATEMENT ON HIGHER EDUCATION AFFORDABILITY.
SEC. 706. POLICY STATEMENT ON DEFICIT REDUCTION THROUGH THE CANCELLATION OF UNOBLIGATED BALANCES.
SEC. 707. POLICY STATEMENT ON RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
SEC. 708. POLICY STATEMENT ON DEFICIT REDUCTION THROUGH THE REDUCTION OF UNNECESSARY AND WASTEFUL SPENDING.
SEC. 709. POLICY STATEMENT ON UNAUTHORIZED SPENDING.
TITLE VIII--SENSE OF THE HOUSE PROVISIONS
SEC. 801. SENSE OF THE HOUSE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT.

3: TREAT FOR SHOCK – The patient is insured. As a result of Public Law 111-148, the cost for treatment can be covered by insurance, but only if the patient complies with the law. Some 800,000 federal employees are out of a government job, but are blessed with some time to ENGAGE 800,000 5^th graders in POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. WE THE PEOPLE must control, or treat for shock.

4: PROTECT THE WOUND – Public Law 111-148 was executed by the President on October 1, 2013. WE THE PEOPLE and our elected representatives are obligated to support and defend the law of the land. Prosecution by the U.S. Justice Department is a potential “band-aid” solution for saving the patient. WE THE PEOPLE, represented by the U.S. Attorney General must now dress and bandage the wound.