THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, November 12, 1995              TAG: 9511100025
SECTION: COMMENTARY               PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   27 lines

SHRINK GOVERNMENT

We should address the national debt by downsizing. With states doing their own managing, isn't it more cost-effective if federal-government bureaus also downsize? With a flat tax, the only essential bureau left would be the Department of Defense.

We should relocate the U.S. Senate to Oregon or Washington, and the House of Representatives to Minnesota or Iowa. This would serve a dual purpose: (1) It would ease resentment of ``Beltway politics.'' (2) Once moved, slashing cuts in personnel will be indicated, saving more taxpayer money.

We should relocate the president to Bosnia. This would enable him to jog year-round.

We need to rethink presidential and congressional benefits, but they will all be eligible for Medicare and Social Security when they are downsized.

PATRICIA STULTZ

Norfolk, Oct. 22, 1995 by CNB