for the children

Today, Stephane Dion announced that if the Liberals are elected into power, they would offer a comprehensive child care program. In essence, the Liberals want to make quality child care affordable for all Canadians.

The previous Liberal government, under Paul Martin, had proposed a child care plan as well, but it was scrapped by Stephen Harper's Conservative government. He instead offered $100 a month to families per child. Then he taxed it.

Those who support Harper's view believe that parents should take care of their own kids instead of placing the burden on society. This laughably short-sighted and devastatingly ego-centric.

I suspect that these same voters are the same who approve of pumping our tax dollars into building prisons, persecuting as many criminals as possible, and fighting the "war on drugs." These voters don't see why they should "have to take care of someone else's brat" (actual cbc.ca reader comment).

But they're missing the point. A standardized, wide-ranging child care program ensures that every Canadian child is well fed, well socialized, and well educated. That way, when they grow into an adult they are prepared to contribute to society in meaningful ways rather than forced to resort to crime to fulfill their basic human needs and desires.

If you want a peaceful society but don't want to pay for social services, at a minimum you should support the development of the children that will one day be running your country.