Cuts have already made it impossible for Cassandra to do her job. Her center is short staffed now and regulations that require two teachers in a classroom make it difficult to teach. If there's only one teacher in the classroom and a kid needs to use the restroom, the teacher needs to go with the student--and bring the entire class.

The cuts have also meant devastating cuts to supplies. They only have one computer for the entire school--at a time computers are becoming the center of the kids' future workplaces. That one computer freezes and breaks own all the time. They have no CD players or tape players.

Cassandra hasn't has a raise in 6-7 years and has only seen two COLA increases in this time. Many of her coworkers have taken up part-time jobs (she was laid off from hers). Cassandra and all of her coworkers like what they do, but they can't afford to live of what they're paid. Benefits are minimal and they have no retirement plan. Sky-high insurance is eating up their paycheck and gas is now too. They're already at the poverty line and can almost get food stamps.

Cassandra says that there's nothing left to cut in their program if Congress cuts it by 9%. They already don't have enough hot dogs or pieces of bread for all their students if a student drops theirs. Right now lunch is one slice of turkey, one piece of bread, and a carrot. Are they going to cut their two field trips per year to one?

Cassandra's especially frustrated because Head Start gets blamed for failing kids when it's really the cuts failing them--but Head Start gets the blame and is cut further. If you cut Head Start, kids won't be able to attend and parents will lose their jobs since they can't afford daycare. It's the only place where kids can come to get a decent meal. Education should be just as important as war.