by Sarah Mcbride

YouTube

Earlier today, we posted about a U.K. Treasury Department plan that asks the public to suggest and vote on the best budget cuts.

So now we'd like to ask you — where should the U.S. be wielding the knife? Hit the comments.

 

A number of you responded to our original post and Twitter message. Keith Sebastian pointed out that Republicans are already trying it through two sites.

One, YouCut, pulls together several spending ideas each week and asks site vistors to vote on their favorite. The five choices this week include suspending federal land purchases and requiring collection of unpaid taxes from government employees.

Another site, AmericaSpeakingOut, provides suggestions on a number of topics that visitors can vote on, including budget ideas.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has already acted on a few suggestions from his constituents. Last year, he put up a YouTube video where he wielded a knife and announced he would follow through on a suggestion that he autograph cars the state was auctioning off.

Auctioneers estimate that his autographs probably raised the take by about $400 per vehicle. He might need more ideas this year, given the state is facing a budget shortfall of about $19 billion.

So readers, think creatively, and send us your top budget-slashing tips.