WATERLOO (KWWL) -
How would you reduce the federal deficit? That's the question dozens of people asked themselves at a deficit reduction workshop at Hawkeye Community College.
The event was hosted by Congressman Bruce Braley and The Concord Coalition.
Those who attended worked in small groups and acted as legislators.
One mother made the meeting a field trip for her home school kids.
"I want to show them that there is actually stuff that gets done and there are good reasons to have the government and good discussions to have," said Barbara Petersen-Benjegerdes.
Petersen-Benjegerdes home schools her children.
She found it beneficial to have these discussions, such as government spending cuts and revenue increases with her 10 year old and 14 year old.
"Since it's really important for us to participate in the government and understand how it works and not just listen to advertisements," said Petersen-Benjegerdes.
She admits it's those advertisements that have affected her kids in a negative way. On Monday she was able to show them why politicians are so passionate.
"I'm seeing a lot of good reasons to have politicians instead of having them sit there and fight and se people against each other," said Dante Benjegerdes, Barbara's son.
As for Dante, his solution to cut the deficit is easy.
"More science and less military," said Dante Benjegerdes.
This is the fourth workshop of it's kind. No other events are scheduled thus far.
