Friends,

As you may recall, shortly after last Thanksgiving, American Experiment published several dozen brief responses to the emailed question:  Do you think America remains exceptional among the nations of the world?”  Soliciting Center members and friends in this way resulted in an excellent package, so much so that it was clear we needed to pose a similarly provocative question before long.  What good and useful one might we ask this time around, especially during these unusually tough days of immense budget shortfalls at the state level and unprecedented spending at the federal level?    Let’s try this one:

Politicians, commentators, and others are talking increasingly about the need for citizens to ‘sacrifice.’  It’s hard to imagine any sensible person disagreeing with the call in the abstract.  But the question at hand is not the least bit abstract:  Specifically, what governmental services currently and directly benefiting you and your family – be those services local, state, or federal – would you be willing to see curtailed or even ended entirely?”       

Deadline for submissions is Friday, February 6.  Please keep your answers to 200 words or less, and include your name plus the city or town where you live.  As with last fall, pieces will be lightly edited for clarity.  Also with last time, the author of the most insightful and intriguing entry will be awarded two free tickets (a $500 value) to American Experiment’s 2009 Annual Dinner, with Charles Krauthammer, on June 1.     

Many thanks and I very much look forward to reading what you have to say.