Memo #5 and Directions for Final Assessment Instructions

TO: Constituent Focus Group
FROM: Congresswoman Nancy Wright
REGARDING: Compromise Budget Cuts

Thank you so much for your feedback regarding liberals and conservatives in our district. The results indicate that both groups are present. Therefore, they must be accounted for in my suggested budget cuts.

As you know, I made a commitment during my campaign that, if elected, I would represent all of the people of my district. As a result, I will not be able to propose budget cuts that exclusively favor one side or hurt one side. In addition, Congress is split, with strong representation from both liberals and conservatives. I must present a plan that has a chance of being accepted by both groups.

I have asked my assistant to assemble your focus group into working groups with representatives from both the liberal and conservative sides. I will assume your working group represents our district as a whole, and I expect you to reach a consensus about funding cuts.

I will be selecting the most reasonable compromise plan to present at a town hall meeting next week. This wiki is the most popular and effective tool for communicating among all people of my district. Be prepared to present your recommendations.

To ensure that your recommendations are clearly understood, would you please include the following in your plan:

1. A definition of the problem as your group sees it.

(Problem Statement: How can we, as a constituent focus group, create a better budget by cutting federal programs so that we reduce the deficit, shift responsibility to state and local governments, and satisfy all of Congresswoman Nancy Wright’s constituents?)

2. A review of each of the six budget categories (4-5 sentences), and your suggested cuts to the programs in each category.

(Remember: The cuts must add up to at least $1 billion)

3. A pie chart showing your proposed budget cuts, with the dollar amounts of your cuts for each program.

4. For the programs subject to cuts include the following:

a. 2 hyperlinks to articles which exemplify how the cuts would impact people
b. 2 hyperlinks to “who” might pick up those programs because of the cuts and enable them to continue (e.g., state government, local government, private corporation, or even families or nonprofit agencies)

You should explain your reasoning: “why” each of these links exemplify the impact of cuts. Use formal language. If you find appropriate video from YouTube or Google Video, ask me first before embedding it. You can also include appropriate images.

5. If a program is to be cut, please indicate which of my constituents will be upset by the cuts and why, and who might support the cuts and why.

6. An explanation of what role compromise between liberal and conservative views played in achieving your budget

7. Student Comment Section (Each student must comment on 2 plans)

8. Groups’ responses to the student comment section (Each group member must respond to 2 comments)

Remember, we need to cut $1 billion, and these cuts must represent a compromise. With your help, I can bring to Congress - and the American people -a better budget.