Saturday, September 22, 2007

Get Your Hands Off Homeschoolers' Checkbooks, Sen. Edwards

It's starting already: the promise of freebies for votes. Democratic presidential contender John Edwards has come up with a program for universal preschool (read: free daycare):

Edwards' plan calls for federal funding for the creation of universal preschool for all children when they turn 4. The preschools will teach skills students will need in school, including language abilities and introductions to early math, reading and other academic concepts.

As if there weren't already enough pressure being put on small children to learn things before they're ready. Of course, the basics won't be the only subjects in the universal preschool curriculum. Being a federal program, universal preschool will likely include the use of so-called "literature to promote diversity," including the infamous Heather Has Two Mommies and its clones.

And who will pay for this very expensive program? We will, of course. Even though we've chosen to forego full-time paid employment in order to raise our own kids, our (usually single income) families will lose even more income to Uncle Sam in order to subsidize working parents, who will rejoice over this freebie.

Note also that the program would be voluntary....at first. In states like Illinois, one legislator would like to reduce the compulsory attendance age to three. So much for voluntary preschool once he succeeds in getting that passed!

This news is just one more reminder that we homeschooling parents, as busy as we are, must take the time to study the presidential candidates carefully, because when candidates make campaign promises, there are always hidden costs, not just in dollars, but also in freedom.

7 comments:

Middle-Aged Moi said...

Thankfully, for now, we have a Christian Prime Minister here in Canada. Of course, that doesn't mean that all the policies are so great.....:-( Of course, the came can't be said for our provincial leader.....

sarah said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Vicki said...

I saw the 'Senator Edwards' and that's all it took to get my blood boiling. He's done more harm in more places then good in my opinion, that it constantly amazes me people actually VOTE for him.
(Florida + OB/GYN + Mamograms...)

Great post!
Vicki ~ Homeschooling, Elder-caring, full-time working mom outside the home...

Vicki said...

I went back to see if I could find one of the 'old information' sites that caused me not to like this man. Here's some of them: http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelFumento/2007/03/22/john_edwards_vs_babies_and_moms

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=%5CPolitics%5Carchive%5C200401%5CPOL20040120a.html

Barbara Frank said...

Janet, we have a Christian president but not all our policies are so great either....many other leaders are not the best here.

Vicki, thanks for those links. You've given us even more reasons to dislike Edwards.

Lydia Netzer said...

Wow, even without considering the cost, it's just so sad to think about kids being put into school at a younger age. I know parents who can't wait for kindergarten to start, so they can get their kids out the door. I guess if this happens they'll get their free time a year earlier?

Barbara Frank said...

LC, there are parents who would prefer to get that free time from day one, and if "We the People" have to pay for it, so much the better as far as they're concerned. Very sad, for their kids and for us, too!