As we put the election in our rearview mirror, I think we can all agree that this was one of the longest, most contentious, and perhaps most negative campaign seasons in history. We argued about some of the foundational elements of our society: marriage, democracy, safety nets, capitalism, taxes and investment. On each of these issues, it seemed there were two sides, split nearly down the middle, with completely opposite views. So while the election is behind us, obviously the divide in the nation is not close to being healed.
It seems what we need is an issue to unify us. We need to rally around something so universal, and so important, that we will set aside these other issues to work side by side toward a common goal.
Judging from all the political rhetoric over the last year, I believe that unifying issue is obvious. It?s time for Minnesota, and for our entire country, to rally around one thing: our children.
Kids have become the centerpiece of nearly every political argument:
- Marriage amendment supporters claimed that children do better when they are raised by a man and a woman
- Marriage equality supporters countered that children do best when they are raised by loving, involved parents whether or not they fit the traditional mode
- Those who opposed tax increases for the wealthy often lament the idea of burdening our children with massive debt
- Those looking to increase taxes on the wealthy maintain it is the only way to generate needed revenue for education and health care, to give all kids a chance to succeed
If you take all parties at their word, there can be no doubt that the next four years SHOULD be all about children, and ensuring their future. Therefore, with that as our guiding principal, here are a few initiatives that maybe we can all rally around in the coming year.
1.? Early childhood education: The fact is, far too many children in America get left behind before they ever really had a chance to get ahead. Let?s make it a priority to ensure that EVERY child gets a solid start. Let?s make kindergarten mandatory. Let?s enhance pre-school to provide safe and educational options for everyone. Let?s put a stake in the ground that we will not stop until EVERY child in America is allowed to and encouraged to fulfill his or her potential.
2.? Focus on the family: We all know that schools can only do so much. Families are the foundation of a child?s success. But arguing over what an ?ideal family? looks like is missing the point. Single parent, same sex parents, grandparents, foster parents? it?s time to accept the fact that in America kids are born into, or end up in, countless variations on the theme of family. The challenge before us is to equip every type of family to do the job? to raise happy, healthy, educated children.
Let?s expand programs like ECFE to help new parents learn what it really means to BE a parent. Lets break the cycle of child abuse by giving parents the support they need to reduce stress, understand how to handle conflict, and learn how to fulfill their critical role.
EVERY parent wants to be a good parent. Let?s make sure we do whatever we can to help them be the best they can be.
3. Get an early start: It?s not enough to start helping kids after they are born. We need to reach parents and potential parents early. No? this is NOT an argument about abortion. This is an argument FOR parenting.
If we can help reduce unwanted pregnancies by having serious, thoughtful, effective discussions about sex education and birth control, we can prevent children from being born to parents who don?t want them or who aren?t ready for them.
If we can reach out to women who are pregnant and educate them about pre-natal care, nutrition, and the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol, maybe we can eliminate problems related to fetal alcohol syndrome or drug complications.
And if we can reach a hand out to women who have no support, no place to live, and no concept of their own future, maybe we can provide a path that will lift them up and give them a roadmap to success as individuals and as parents.
I know these are not easy issues to solve. Still, if you think of all of the energy, and passion that was on display during the election, it?s obvious we have the collective will to make a difference. Now we need to find the way. Let?s harness all of that passion toward the one unifying bond we have left in this country. Let?s find a way to make sure every child in America has a chance to succeed.
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