Dilute NCCAM funding

As a skeptic, I see the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine as a pure waste of about $121 million in taxes annually and would jump on any chance to eliminate the department.

Now, realistically I know this department is the baby of Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and because a part of his reputation is tied up in its success, he will fight for its survival. His interest is concentrated, while the interest of the public to save a little more money is spread out. So elimination is a tough fight that our side can't expect to win.

But I think I have a compromise. Following the principles of homeopathy, where a substance gets more powerful if you dilute it in water and shake it up a little between steps, we should dilute the NCCAM funding down to $12.1 million. How's that for shaking things up?

With the alt-med crowds philosophy, the NCCAM would be more powerful and productive with only 10 percent of its current level of funding. If that fails to produce the results they want, we could dilute it again down to $1.21 million. I'm willing to take this as far they want and dilute it to the point that no actual funding exists.

That should guarantee the department will be properly shaken.