There’s talk of defunding NPR?  I’m praying for Tea Party Congressmen to argue for defunding entire Departments.  “My constituents elected me to balance the budget and reduce over-regulation.  Therefore my priority is eliminating bureaucracy.  It kills two birds with one stone.  Sorry, federal workers, you’ve got massive layoffs coming.  Some states may  want your services locally.  Everyone else must join the private sector, where they’ll start generating tax revenue instead of consuming it.” 

“Hey, that’s three birds with one stone!  Yes, the absolute best way for me to represent my constuents is to lay off as many federal workers as possible.  So,”

Housing and Urban Development–“Why should Wyoming residents pay the same for urban development as New Yorkers?  Disparate benefits violate the concept of ‘general welfare’.  Defund completely.”

Interior—“The Federal Government must start selling off non-essential real estate and assets in order to pay its debts, just like any private debtor must.  Massive defunding.”

Treasury—“Simplify the tax code and we can lay off most of the IRS.  Get rid of stuff like ‘Office of Thrift Supervision’ because, are you kidding me?  From now on, state residents can decide how much Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms they need.  Serious defunding.” 

Justice—“Defund, with extreme prejudice, every single employee who does not believe in equality under the law.  But expand it to combat voting fraud in all federal elections.  Serious defunding.” 

Agriculture—“I think by now local communities have gotten the hang of how farming works.  I would vote in favor of establishing national emergency food supplies.  Otherwise massive defunding.”

Commerce—“Apart from mediating economic disputes between states, the federal government has no business ‘promoting economic growth’ through policy.  Let the states experiment and see what works and what doesn’t.  Nigh-total defunding.”

Labor—“Same as Commerce.  Almost-total defunding.” 

HHS—“Ditto.”

Transportation—“Legitimate functions with respect to interstate travel, plus extraneous offices.  Moderate defunding.”

Energy—“Like Transportation.  Moderate cuts.  But will vote to fund Yucca Mountain and make Harry Reid cry.” 

Education—“States are  are supposed to find out what works and what doesn’t.  Then the  stupid states can crib the smart states’ answers.  Near-total defunding.”

Veteran Affairs—“I’m not sure why this became a Department in the first place, so no doubt a few cuts can be made.”

Homeland Security—“Defund, with extreme prejudice, federal child molesters.  Will vote to increase funding to profile Muslims until they no more statistically likely to be terrorists than anyone else.”