Hillary on family issues

I think Senator Clinton's greatest strength is her concern for children and education. Yet this caring attitude has been distorted by her detractors who have accused her of supporting "kiddie lib" and of trying to have the government dictate to parents how to raise their kids.

It is true that parents should not have government interference when raising their children. Our whole society is based on the family unit, and the government should not undermine it. I think we need to all agree on this, Republicans and Democrats alike! The parents are the FINAL WORD when it comes to how their kids are raised, disciplined, educated, etc. If Clinton or anyone else were to oppose this, they would certainly not receive my support!

However, Clinton has suggested that "It takes a village to raise a child". That particular quote is so profound, and so true, when you stop to think about it. People are affected by their society, in ways that are beyond the control of their parents. It's just a fact. Clinton wants (and so should us all) a society which supports young people to grow up the right way, a moral and just way. To raise kids who care about each other, about their parents, about the poor and disadvantaged in our midst, about their nation, about their environment, about their WORLD!!

At our church's baptisms, the whole congregation recites "We shall so order our lives as to support the spiritual growth and moral development of this young person" (I forget the exact quote!). In other words, good examples in society and in a young person's personal life, can make a huge difference.

So, you still say Clinton is a radical, and that she is meddling where she doesn't belong? Still say government has no business whatsoever telling a parent how to raise their kids?

Let me tell you a little story from my home town. A TRUE story. It's about a little girl from the ghetto who despite her background, worked hard and excelled at school. She was known by all as a smart kid and very bright and positive even though she came from a 1-parent family, and the single parent she did have (her mom) was a crack addict. She spent all her money on crack and did not pay the bills. The power was cut off and they had to burn candles at night. One night while their mother was out doing drugs and the kids were home alone, one of the candles fell over and set the house on fire. This wonderful young girl was burned to death along with her siblings.

Hindsight is 20-20, but honestly couldn't this family have used some intervention? Maybe not from the government but from others such as the school, church, friends or relatives who might have challenged this mother and gotten her to clean up her act, or else the children would have to live elsewhere.

I agree that government intrusion in the family unit is not a good thing, but sometimes it may have to be used as a last resort. I think that admitting to this fact does not classify one as a "meddler" or advocate of "kiddie lib". It simply means accepting common sense.