Saddled with municipal debt, Newark Mayor Cory Booker proposes $600 million in budget cuts, including cutting funds for the purchase of toilet paper. "Call me Mr. Scrooge if you want, but there will be no Christmas decorations," Booker added.

It's official: The recession has ruined Christmas. (Or, the part of Christmas that hinges on twinkling lights in public squares and whatnot.) Booker also proposes shutting down all city pools and laying off as many as 350 police and firefighters. When cities go broke: A sad tale of parched pavement, dirty bottoms, and unemployment. [MyFoxNY, image via Maria Dryfhout/Shutterstock]