We're broke. As a nation we are B-r-o-k-e - broke; as in out of money but more bills to pay. And we just took on another mega-bill with the 'bail-out.'

To my amazement all that I thought I knew and understood about budget & finance all these years is totally WRONG. Washington is leading in a new, cutting edge approach to debt management - spend more money. Who knew?!?!

I'm astounded, I really am. Being a military spouse I am very aware of the the impact that debt/finances can have on not only my credit score but also my Sailor's career. Literally thousands of service members have lost their clearances over the past seven years due to a debt level that makes them a security risk. I think the government owes these service members an apology, security clearance restored and perhaps even restitution. They were only ahead of their time in Washington's example!

Okay, enough of the sarcasm. But pehaps not enough indignation. If I must keep our debt to income ratio in check, if our financial health is mandatory for my Sailor's career how much more should the legislators of our country wisely manage the nation's debt.

Let me back up just a moment. In a time when we are so over our heads in debt that not only is their no light at the end of the tunnel...there IS no end to the tunnel, are we hearing from presidential or congressional candidates for not just fiscal restraint but for total budget cuts? NO. Not one. I have not heard the candidates espousing how they are going to fight not only new ridiculous funding of pet projects but CUTTING those already in existence. The silence is deafening.

But what really has my ire today is recent news...We are broke and our congressional leaders are proposing another 'stimulus package' (translation: cutting more checks from an overdrawn account to those they hope will vote and keep them in power).

If I must balance my finances it is time to require it of our leaders. I propose a few simple steps...

1) Post the government checkbook on line with full disclosure of expenditures (ok, classified projects should not be disclosed in particular but I'll be watching for out of control spending in that category). Sound absurd? Well, it has worked in states and municipalities across the country...and didn't Speaker Pelosi promise "unprecedented transparency?" Post what I bought with my tax money, Nancy.

2) Hire debt management experts [Dave Ramsey (Financial Peace University), June Walbert (CFP, USAA), or even the local FFSC Financial counselor - if they'd even take it] to ruthlessly identify and cut the fat. They can coach congress and the president with the basics of debt reduction and development of a spending plan. Get professional help - outside the beltway help - from those whose personal finances are in order.

3) Cut salaries of all elected officials (have you ever noticed how prosperous it is to be a congressman? They all seem to be able to afford multiple homes, compounds, and much more.) Perhaps they are over paid. The opportunities to increase their wealth as a result of their government service is great. Therefore their meager government salary is inconsequential. What a great start in our budget saving initiatives - cut salaries by 50% and 'redistribute that wealth' back to the tax payer.

4) Institute an immediate budget cut across the board. Everyone takes a 10% cut with the sole exception of the military (we are at war afterall).

5) Austerity needs to be the by-word. If millions across this country have to make decisions not to spend on 'wants' to pay the 'absolute needs', if small businesses must make payroll and manage their budget then so does the government.

6) Outsource what is not effectively done by the Government. Wanna' stimulate the country, create jobs? Outsource to the civilian sector what can be done more effectively than the government and do it now. Have you noticed the government is THE MOST inefficient business? And, to be honest, often the most ineffective. Put it out on the market where industry must balance their books AND produce a quality product.

Simplistic? yeah. Effective? Possibly...but business as usual, more deficit spending, in my opinon, is not acceptable. What is your opinion?

I want to tell you about my friend. I'll call her Annie (not her real name). Our husbands worked at the same command and that is how Angie and I met. Angie and I shared many interests and became fast friends.

Over the months I started to notice things with Annie and her hubby that seemed 'off'. At first I couldn't put my finger on what was 'off'. It was little things...Annie was so anxious to be home to have her hubby's drink ready for him when he arrived. She seemed to feel a sense of 'indebtedness' to him for getting a new car to drive when hers died.

Annie got pregnant and she seemed to experience anxiety that I tried to chalk up to normal pregnancy jitters. But things didn't feel right. She seemed stressed when her newborn son couldn't tolerate the 'less-expensive' formula. She was emotionally affected by the price increase in diapers. It was 'little' things that I could not put my fingers on but things didn't feel right.

Annie's husband was one squared-away sailor. He was respected by his shipmates with a bright future before him.

One afternoon my husband and I visited our friends. Even though it was early in the day Annie's husband was showing signs of intoxication. His behavior was rather offensive and my husband and I decided to leave. We thought nothing more of it...till the phone rang.

Around 11pm that night the phone rang. It was Annie. I could hardly hear her. She was whispering and crying. After a bit of effort I was able to make out what she was saying, "He was choking me! I don't know what to do!"

I asked her to call the MA's (they lived in base housing) and that we'd be over ASAP. She made it very clear she feared calling the authorities. She said, "He'll take the baby and I'll never see him again. He'll kill me if the command knows..." Click, the phone went dead.

My friend was a victim of domestic violence. That night marked the beginning of my journey of learning how to be a friend, a support to a DV victim. Many of us may have friends, neighbors or family members who are living in abusive relationship. Some of us may not realize the full extent, we just know things 'aren't quite right'. For others, you know it is happening but do not know what to do, what resources are available, what confidential help is provided by the Navy (and all services) and what incredible programs are available.

Please join me this week on Navy Homefront Talk my internet talk show for military spouses as we talk about Domestic Violence and how to help our friends. William Fenton, Chief of Clinical Services at the San Diego FFSC will join me to talk about recognizing and understanding DV and perhaps more importantly, how to help a friend in an abusive relationship.

The show airs live tonight at 6pm (Pacific). The podcast will be available on demand following the live broadcast. To listen to Navy Homefront Talk logon to www.blogtalkradio.com/nht. Live chat is available during the show or you can call in to ask questions. Please join us for this important topic.

I recently had an article published in the Navy Times (Back Talk) about enlisted pay. The article includes a rather clever graphic of coins being tossed into a navy 'dixie cup' hat with a cardboard sign stating "Will Defend for Food".

My article stirred some strong opinions and I was challenged to blog about it. I accept the challenge and look forward to a discussion.

The premise of my article was a question...Is the current pay for enlisted (and I'm not addressing the officer vs. enlisted pay fray) adequate? Is it the best America can do for their fighting force?

Once you read the article...I want to hear your comments - and yes, I love the debate! Many took issue with my article stating I didn't include all the pays service members get such as BAH, BAS, enlistment bonus, hazardous duty pay and the like. So, I want to own what I could/should have improved and defend/explain the rest.

First, I only have 500-600 words to address a complex topic. I failed to adequately make my point. I own that, I apologize. Let me try to set some things aright just a bit...

It is so difficult to address all the pay 'potentials' of a service member. They vary so greatly. Not all deployments are to tax-free zones, not all rates get a reenlistment bonus and reenistment bonuses vary greatly. Housing is only provided for roughly 30% of the forces so 70% DOES pay their own utilities. I could go on and on...

Many readers felt the WIC example in my article was a disservice and even 'false' as it only mentioned base pay. WIC is a federal program and the guidelines were established at the federal level...including the determination that military WIC eligibility is only based on base pay. That is why I referenced base pay. I didn not intentionally omit additional pays (or benefits) in the WIC discussion. I clearly stated it was BASE PAY which determines eligibility so base pay was listed and discussed. But my question is still valid...if congress decided base pay is the basis, and our base pay is too low...could they just pay junior enlisted enough base pay to be above the threshold?

But, let's look at what is equal across the board. The example in the article of the housing assistance program in San Diego (and other similar programs across the country) includes ALL income sources. So that levels the playing field. With all sources of income (BAH, BAS, FSA, etc.) an E-2 through E-5 is well within the guidelines for assistance depending on years of service and a few other parameters E-6 and E-7 will also qualify.

Since PPV changed housing almost the entire force that resides on base now receives BAH (but immediately paid to the base housing management partner) so all have BAH. So, I'll let you decide if that levels the playing field.

In speaking with the director of the Food Distribution on our base, BAH is not a disqualifyer from the Federal Income Guidelines for food distribution (not food stamps, not WIC). So, E-1 through E-6 qualify and some E-7 will qualify based on number of dependents.

Many wrote saying where else could a person with just a high school education make this much money. Well, do they just have a high school education? Statistics show that our enlisted forces are above their civilian counterparts in educational achievement. Further, the training most of our forces receive (according to smart transcripts) translates into college credit equivalency. So, are they really just high school grads?

Further - aside from the 'high school education' perspective...Military service is like no other 'job'. It involves risk and sacrifice like no other, especially in a time of war.

Let me tell you why this issue came up for me. I host an internet talk show for spouses (www.blogtalkradio.com/nht). I recently did a series on finances in response to rising gas, food and other costs. While preparing for one broadcast I had a conversation with a subject matter expert who said, "For junior enlisted with a family to make it they will need to know all their resources; Food distributions, WIC, Commissary, Thrift Stores, Coupons and the like." This person is both a retired service member and now retired from a military support center.

I was struck...for junior enlisted families to make it they need: "Food distribution, WIC, Thrift Stores, Commissary, Coupons and the like..." As I said in my article, I have long held the opinion that most junior enlisted financial issues are a lack of proper financial management from perhaps a lack of education or mentoring. But, I am struck that a professional from a military support center indicated that there is such little wiggle room in the family budget that thrift stores, commissary, WIC and Food distributions are such a key.

So, back to my question...Isn't it a shame that the families of those defending our nation need coupons, thrift stores, food distribution, etc?

I don't think military should become millionaires, nor do I view the current pay/benefits something akin to 'impoverished, indentured servanthood.

Hopefully I have addressed some of the concerns with my article, but let me get back to my original question. If we can spend $2 million to study the flow rate of catsup and $1 million to study the sex habits of a rodent, can this great nation pay our armed forces a little better than thrift stores, food distribution coupons and the commissary?

I surrender my time to the chair... you have the floor...