The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the $1.85 trillion Build Back Better Act, sending the measure to the Senate. The vote fell almost exclusively along party lines, reflecting the deep divide in Congress and our country at large. Depending on your politics, you may either applaud the bill as appropriate aid to millions of needy Americans, or condemn it as a pork-laden whistlestop on the road to Socialism. Paraphrasing DuckDuckGo, your politics are none of my business.
But one aspect of the bill I find deeply disturbing. It purports to help families, support single moms, provide high-quality daycare, and get more women back into the workforce. The bill enhances government paid daycare, family leave, and universal pre-K. All good, many say. But try as I might, I can’t find where the Constitution makes the federal government the nation’s babysitter. I’ve always believed the family is the institution that for eons and across all cultures has proven to be the best (though not always perfect) institution within which to raise kids. I guess I missed the memo that states “It takes a village” has replaced “It takes two parents.”
If I were magically transported to Oz, I would ask the great and magnificent wizard for three answers: Why do we undermine traditional families? Why have we become hostile to marriage, family formation, and the traditional roles of fathers as providers and protectors? Why don’t we offer families a huge tax break for one parent to stay home with the kids, and an even bigger one to school them?
Speaking of government undermining the family, have you looked at what schools are teaching kids about gender and sexuality? Here are parents taking a stand against what’s being forced on their kids. Take a look.
Thousands of Massachusetts Parents Pull Kids From ‘Woke’ Sex Ed Classes (freebeacon.com)
Unless you’ve been on Mars for the last year, you’ve seen parents confront school boards over curricula about racism, slavery, oppression, and victimization. Here’s a brave dad who spoke up. Mothers seem better at finding their voices. We need more dads to be similarly emboldened.
Here’s a bunch of others who are doing just that. Bravo dads for doing what good dads do: protecting their kids.
Fathers Form ‘Dads on Duty’ After Many Fights at Louisiana High School (tmz.com)
My words may seem to flow from a COBFFF (cranky old bitter fault finding fart). Forgive me. There are many things for which I am wildly enthusiastic and profoundly grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Bill
