Parental rights amendment – Act II

The parental rights amendment is going to be re-introduced by Representative Hoekstra:

http://www.parentalrights.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={48D114CD-BD70-4776-A32A-5661013D8897}

This time he has rounded up 60 co-sponsors. Write to the sponsors and let them know we don’t want them messing with our constitution.

My message to the sponsors:

The idea that parents lack rights in the United States is risible. Many state laws have purposely been written to allow parents to deny their children educational benefits they are entitled to. Some children actually suffer and die because of their parent’s superstitious religious beliefs.

Our constitution does not need amending. If anything, we should consider passing laws that make parenting education and testing mandatory. Perhaps we even need to go so far as issuing licenses to couples who want to procreate.

You cannot even give a child a haircut in this country without passing an examination that certifies you are qualified to cut hair. Likewise, teachers, child care center workers and anyone providing services to children must undergo education and prove they are qualified. For some jobs, a criminal background check is required.

What does it take to legally create a new life? Nothing. How are couples qualified to be parents? There is no way to know because they are not required to actually know anything about parenting or be tested. Sweden has had comprehensive parenting education in place for decades. The only people who object to it do so because they are zealots and they claim the bible has all the child rearing guidance they need.

Why should we as a society tolerate incompetent faith based parenting? We could fashion public policies that would save hundreds of little lives and millions of cases of neglect and abuse each year. All that stops us is the political motivation and a sick infatuation with individualism.