In the wake of April 15^th’s Tea Parties, here are 13 ways you can immediately make an impact toward reducing government spending.  Thirteen in tribute to the thirteen original colonies, of course!

1. If you work for a government agency, quit.  Salaries are the single largest component of government spending.
2. If you are a contractor, do not bid on or accept any government contracts.
3. If you are a buyer or seller of a home, do not accept any government subsidies, including Utah’s $6,000 of stimulus money to buyers of new homes.
4. Do not accept any loans from any federally subsidized programs, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  If you have a loan from either of these, seek to replace it with a privately funded loan, even at a higher rate.  It’s the principle of the thing.
5. Whenever possible, drive on private toll roads rather than government maintained roads.  When you must drive on government roads, keep track of mileage and make a donation of 10 cents per mile to the private charity of your choice.  This will help fund them and limit government expansion into their areas of operation.
6. Tear up your social security check, or any other government “assistance” payment.
7. Send your kids to private school, including college.  Don’t ask for a subsidy – that would only make private schools dependent on government welfare.
8. Stay off public lands.  The less they are used, the less maintenance and supervision they require.
9. Do not fly on federally funded airlines.  If you need to get somewhere distant, charter a private plane.
10. Walk instead of drive when possible.  Gasoline taxes must be paid when you fill your tank, so fill it as infrequently as you can.
11. Buy bottled water instead of using water from a public utility.  Evian will make your lawn a brilliant green.  At a minimum, don’t flush for #1.
12. Write your Congressman and tell him or her that you want government food inspections stopped.  This would save billions of dollars annually.
13. Since the cost of operating and maintaining the internet is almost entirely borne by public financing, through state universities, now that you’ve finished reading this you should log off and never log on again.

America's Loopiest Lincoln Landmarks

Cindy McCain sets tone for GOP fashion

"I don't want to stand here in my boxers, but I need to find out what this is on my pants."