BUTLER TWP — Just as he had promised during his campaign, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, held his first town hall meeting Saturday, urging his constituents to get involved with the government.

“As we go forward, you are the government. The government serves you. You do not serve it,” Kelly said.

About 200 people, many of them standing, heard Kelly at the Butler Township Building.

Kelly spent much of his time discussing federal budget problems, noting that, while the government spends $3.5 trillion, it is only getting $2.1 trillion in revenues.

“I think the most important thing to remember about that $3.5 trillion is that it's your money,” Kelly said.

He also noted that tax revenues are projected to remain level, but entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security are continuing to rise.

“And, if you look at that ... there is no way in heck that we can continue,” Kelly said. “We have overspent and overindulged and kicked the can down the road for so many years.”

When the floor was turned over to the audience, the most discussed topic was Social Security.

“That fund has been picked on for so many years,” Kelly said.

Several audience members noted the government has taken money out of Social Security and not replaced it, which Kelly agreed was the main problem.

“There's nothing but IOUs in there,” Kelly said. “We know the numbers are staggering.”

Kelly said Social Security can be fixed, but it is not solvent in its current state. The original model no longer works, he said.

He said another important thing to remember is that Social Security funds will be even worse for future generations.

“It's not about us, it's about them,” Kelly said.

He also said only people who contribute to Social Security should receive payment when they retire.

“I've always believed, if you don't pay into, you shouldn't draw out,” Kelly said.

In addition to social security, members of the audience asked about the rising cost of education.

Kelly said the cost of education rises every year, noting that when he went to the University of Notre Dame it cost about $3,000 per year and when his daughter went it cost around $35,000.

“It's a huge problem ... we'll just have to keep looking at it and working at it,” Kelly said.

He also said parents should guide their children toward schools and careers that are prosperous.

“I think we need to look at where the jobs are today,” Kelly said. “The world has changed.”

Health care also was discussed.

Kelly said he would like for health care to be more affordable and more accessible, but said it will be difficult.

“It's absolutely not a political battle. It's a battle for the people,” Kelly said. “It's going to get fixed and it has to get fixed.”

At one point, a member of the audience suggested that members of Congress cut their pay and spending by 10 percent. However, Kelly said it is illegal for the government not to spend money once it has been appropriated.

“I would like to encourage those different departments to work on cutting their budgets without breaking the law,” Kelly said.

Another audience member asked if the new congressmen like Kelly are going too fast in trying to cut the budget, citing a Republican proposal to cut $100 billion.

Kelly said he would like to cut more than $100 billion if he could.

Recently Kelly and other freshmen congressmen blocked an attempt by GOP leaders to propose cutting the budget by less than the $100 billion.

They wanted a lower figure because $100 billion was for a fiscal year, but five months of that year are already passed.

Kelly said he was pleased the lower plan didn't get passed.

“It's going to take a strong stomach and a stronger backbone to get things done,” he said.

Congress is scheduled to begin debating on Tuesday a proposal that would trim spending by $61 billion for the seven months left in the current budget year, which ends Sept. 30.

“While it may look right now that things are bad, they certainly can be improved,” he said.

During the meeting, Kelly urged the public to be in contact with him and his staff.

“With me, please be direct, don't be diplomatic. If you think I've taken my eye off the ball, let me know,” Kelly said.