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Recession is something we did not create and yet all of us including teachers, students are working families are forced to suffer for it. We face many challenges especially in the field of higher education that include the historic cuts to public education even as war coffers overflow and rich gets many tax benefits.

In California this year, at least $3 billion was cut from school programs that benefited illiterate adults and high need students. Almost every state in our country faces devastating cuts in the budget.

Funding was cut by fifty percent for kindergarten and Pre-school was eliminated in Arizona. School bus service in Missouri was slashed by 46%. Such sweeping cuts will affect children from low income families who will now be unable to enjoy after school activities and other crucial services such as transportation, reduced or free lunch, early intervention, special education and counseling.

In more than 43 states, higher education is severely affected. Many universities have raised tuition fees. In the last two years, tuition fee was raised by 32% in Florida universities.  Grants and scholarships were reduced by 44% and financial aid was reduced by 61% in Michigan.

We can expect further tuition fee raise, maybe even to double digits, further staff layoffs and a 33% cut in work study programs due to reduction in direct aid to Washington state community colleges and public universities.

So, who are the real culprits behind this mess? According to Jaime Herrera Beutler, Washington state congresswoman and other lawmakers, budget cuts can be directly related to government overspending for decades. Future of our children and grand children are at stake even as job creation is threatened by severe federal deficit.

According to Jaime Beutler, it is time to initiate responsible budgeting by establishing a framework and take difficult decisions. Though we may have to compromise on certain popular programs, we must realize that economic recovery is not possible if we continue over spending.

Socialists and pro-capitalist economists warn us of massive layoffs and budget cuts in the private and public sectors. Consumer spending is further depressed due to this. Already suffering families are forced to pay more to meet the basic needs of their children and unemployment situation is worse squeezing the economy further due to school closures and teacher layoffs.

Interestingly, overspending is a term used only in relation to social services and education and not with regard to war. Isn’t it time to slash huge military expenditure and channelize funds towards other worthy endeavors?

Similarly millions of dollars are being raked in by some of the top earning companies such as Exxon Mobil, FedEx, General Electric and Ford in profits even though our country reels under recession. These companies continue layoffs and pay minimal or no taxes.

The situation is very clear. Overspending on foreign wars and corporate welfare are major reasons for budget crisis. It is time to do something about it and divert essential funds towards other vital programs such as higher education. It is time for students and teachers in our country to rise and fight with a strong determination.