"California's day of reckoning is here.... The immediate task before us is to cut spending to the money available."  - Governor Schwarzenegger

By Linda Dent

This was some tough news to wake up to this morning. Schwarzenegger has proposed huge cuts for almost every program area, including education, health care, social services, public safety, transportation, parks and prisons. I have seven grandchildren and I am very worried about their future.

If we choose to sacrifice my grandkids' future or any child's future in this state I don't know how we can live with ourselves. I think about their education especially and I know I'll do whatever I can to make sure they have a quality education, even if it means sacrifice.

The Los Angeles Times has a feature on their website today. It's a tool where you can try to close the $24 billion budget hole in the state yourself.

It's going to mean hard choices for Legislators - and for families and individuals. But it's possible to do this without the massive cuts Schwarzenegger is talking about.

Try it out for yourself then send your solution.