Up in Arms!

I have been swearing like a F&^%ing sailor lately! I blame this on something that has me up in arms and mighty ANGRY.

Six months into my year of service as an Americorps VISTA, the Republican led House of Representatives decided that, you know, national service means NOTHING so let's put Americorps on the chopping block.

This isn't simply a reduction of funding, they want to ELIMINATE Americorps entirely. This is the dumbest thing I've heard in a long time and let me tell you why:

• Americorps has played a huge role in the following organizations/programs/stuff: Head Start, Foster Grandparents, Teach for America, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, Hurricane Katrina relief and clean-up.
• Americorps volunteers serve the country's most vulnerable population. During this economic crisis, we are needed more than ever. Most of the organizations that people like myself work for do not have the budget to hire a full time employee. If they lose us, who will do the important work that needs to be done.?
• Cutting funding won't put a DENT in our deficit.
• The money, jobs and talent that it brings to communities facing economic hardships is invaluable.
• Thousands of people would be out of work. Yay, even more job cuts!

People have rallied over this issue and have created a petition. If you agree with me on the importance of the Americorps program, please sign this petition. I don't know if this will get past the Senate or not, but please consider signing the petition. If nothing more, please sign it to support me.