the fiscal crisis that has hit federal, state and local government is now having a shocking impact on life in america. we are seeing not just fewer police officers on patrol in this country and teacher/student ratios getting out of hand as we lay off teachers, but we're losing our ability to sustain some of the basic elements of a civilized society. witness topeka, kansas. tomorrow evening the city council in topeka will decide whether to repeal an ordinance outlawing domestic battery. it is in response to a decision by the district attorney of shawnee county, chad taylor, faced with a 10% cut to his budget. taylor has announced his office will no longer prosecute