The American national debt is estimated at over fourteen trillion dollars (TreasuryDirect.com). The country's deficit problem is nothing new. Overcoming the problem showed its difficulties. It doesn't seem like much alleviates the problem. “As of this year, the House of Representatives has proposed approximately thirty-two billion dollars in cuts to children's programs” (Sanderson). While the country is deeply in debt and cuts are desperately needed, it is not fair that America's children should have to pay the consequences. Why make kids pay for something they didn't contribute to? The government must continue to support and fund programs that help children, such as A Keiki's Dream, because these programs offer them opportunities that they could not receive any other way, these programs increase children's self-esteem and provide a safe environment. charities that help provide children with opportunities they would never have had any other way. First, for example, A Keiki's Dream, is a program that organizes services for children in need in Maui County and inspires hope in those children (MauiNews.com). A Keiki's Dream guarantees a self-directed dream for every child in the program ( AKeikisDream.org). Without this program, the children of Maui County would not have the opportunity to realize a dream. Additionally, in-kind programs—programs that provide services rather than money—are profoundly beneficial. They are providing for families' needs, supporting them and essentially providing an "invisible safety net," says Janet Currie, an economics professor at Columbia University. Without in-kind programs, families' needs would not be met. Second, without government funding, numerous programs...... middle of paper ......August 28, 2011.Currie, Janet. “The Invisible Safety Net: Protecting Poor Children and Families in the United States.” Web blog post. VOX. 4 January 2009. Web. 6 September 2011 “Debt by the penny”. Direct Treasury. Network. 10 September 2011. "Every child is special". Keiki's dream. Network. 7 September 2011.Iyer, Aparna. "Erikson's Psychosocial Theory of Development." Hum. Network. September 1, 2011.Jeremy. “Creating an emotionally safe environment for our children.” Stay home dad. November 30, 2010. Web blog post. September 5, 2011. Harder, Arlene. "Erik Erikson Stages of Development." Online learning place. Network. September 10, 2011.Navarro, Emily. “Government Funding for Charities: When It Falls Charities Lose Twice.” Charity navigator. May 1, 2005. Web. September 5, 2011. Sanderson, Jamie. “House proposes further cuts to children's programs.” PoliticusUSA. February 17, 2011. Network. September 4. 2011.