Yes I would. I would continue to support our social programs, and would utilize EI to get back on my feet, while using my savings and liquidating assets built up during the period I planned my family, to get by until brighter days.
That plan is all well and good but as I said before would you appreciate someone whom you were once equals with calling you a bad or unfit parent because while you were getting back on your feet if you had to downsize your home or apartment, or give up your SUV for a compact or no vehicle at all, or have to watch basic cable instead of the premium package? You can judge those of lower socio-economic classes now but if the tables turned on you I would be curious to how you would weather dealing with those same attitudes being directed towards you.
Okay then, what is your proposal to deal with child poverty? All I've seen of you thus far is complaints and statements of shame that we have such child poverty. What's your solution?
Well for starters I wouldn't have abandoned a National Day Care program. The truth is that there are many instances where parents are unfit and neglent towards there children. Its great that parents now get $1200 a year for their children for child care. However, if a parent doesnt take responsibility and put that towards its intended purposes (the betterment of the child) than it has proven useless. If there was some kind of enforcement or measures that could ensure parents where ensuring the welfare of their child than that would fine, but given that Childrens Aid Services are stretched to there limits and unlikely to get any funding (or support out of fears of governments invading peoples privacy) there needs to be a better alternative. Even in the case that a parent is responsible, $1200 over a year is only of small relief to single parents and those who cannot find cheap day care services.
This is why a national day care program is essential because it is the best guarantee that a children and parents will be able to access those services. I know some will complain that they shouldnt pay taxes on such a program if a parent stays at home or they simply choose not to use it, but who is to say one day they suddenly be in an economic position where it will be necessary for them to use it and benefit from it?
And I am also not suggesting that this has to mean a string of state controlled day care centers. Explore all options. Privately, semi-privately, state and non-profit. And perhaps at the end of the day offer a small credit to those families that choose to have a parent remain at home. Do I have all the details and specifics of such a program? No. But I also dont sit on a royal commision or in a position where I would have any reason to do such a thing.
And of course there are many other ways of helping children. Ensuring that there is a good education system for them (with counselling and guidance services available). Another program I am not sure of details but does have a lot of benefit is school lunch programs to ensure that at least while the kids are at school they are not hungry and have a better chance at being able to concentrate and succeed in school.
And as you mentioned before part of the issue is ensuring todays children who are in poverty are able to break the cycle. One of the most effective tools for doing this is through post-secondary education (either trade school, college or university). In this case it means ensuring that those without the immediate means to pay for school will be guaranteed access to loans or bursaries (as well as assistance while they are in school to help them balance work and school demands or any other challenges they might have). It also means that while those children in poverty are in public and elementary school, there is a system of support available to help keep those students from dropping out.
There are plenty of other things that could be done. A higher minimum wage would be of benefit. Systems like tax credits may be well and good if you can afford it, but if your a student who is just barely getting by, a public transit credit or textbook credit doesnt do much good if you lack the money for those things in the first place.
Also, and something that doesnt cost anything, is a little bit of compassion. When you are born into poverty and doing everything you can to escape it, there is nothing more degrading and demoralizing than having people insult you or treat you as a lesser simply because you never had the advantage of being born into a good family. Dignity can go a long way.
So thats what I can offer for a solution at the momment. One solution which is unrealistic but would work wonders for helping the situation is to have those who have never lived in poverty, try it, and see what it is actually like. It would likely change many peoples opinions very quickly. I will say in advance if your only intent with a response is to disect and prove everything I have said unworkable or wrong, save your energy. If your intent is to respond with actual ideas or constructive comments that may actually lead to something, than great, since it is going to cooperation and intelligent discussion that will actually lead to workable solutions being developed.
Maybe in the end all I can offer to this problem is compassion, understanding, and treating people with dignity. But that is a hell of a lot better than the contempt and ignorrance that many people and politicians have and continue to show towards the problem.
