Government

The theory that supports the existence of all forms of government is that government exists in order to take care of the segment of the population over which it rules that cannot take care of themselves. Babies cannot take care of themselves. Therefore, government exists, at least in part, to take care of babies.

President Obama has proposed spending money to provide home visits to low-income, first-time parents by trained professionals.

I do not support this initiative. In the first place, this sounds to me like an increase of power for Child Protective Service agencies. They already have too much power to destroy families. The State of Texas proved that when more than 400 children were taken from their families over one phone call. If you want to arrest men for practicing polygamy because it is illegal in this country, then go for it, but do not traumatize the women and children who haven't done anything wrong. You don't have to agree with their beliefs any more than they have to agree with yours. But no one should have the right to traumatize countless families over one phone call. It's just not right.

If we want to make sure our babies are taken care of, then yes, we do need to make sure the parents have the necessary skills to accomplish this goal. I, however, believe that investing more money in public school education and community sponsored parenting classes is a better way. Keep CPS out of it.

I propose putting a daycare center in every high school and allowing students to learn first hand about child care from taking a class that will increase not only their knowledge, but their job skills. Who knows, an hour a day with real, crying, diaper changing needing babies might be a good way to help high school students decide getting pregnant isn't something they want to do while they're still in school. It's just a thought.

Copyright © 2009 Annette Fortunato

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