Parents on government subsidy

[Judy Trickett]

I just have to comment on this. If we don't subsidize daycare for those who cannot afford it, would you be happy to pay for the whole family to be on welfare so that the parents can stay home with the kids? Or would you rather see them living on the streets? Or, if, as it seems you suggest, people who cannot afford daycare do not have kids, how are we going to solve the problem we are already facing in this country due to labour shortages and lack of population growth? Furthermore, it is possible and actually happens quite often, that parents have good jobs and plan their families and then one parent loses a job and has to settle for something lower paying etc...bad things happen to good people. Should we say, too bad, you shouldn't have had kids if you couldn't afford the daycare? And aside from all this, I don't think that subsidized parents are any more likely than non-subsidized parents to not pay since they are actually getting a portion paid making it more manageable. As for those who mentioned people on subsidies leaving their kids in care when not working...that happens all the time with non-subsidized parents and has more to do with parental decisions than money! I get frustrated with generalizations of this type. I actually wanted to go with an agency because I wanted to be able to take people with subsidies, but decided against it because of the lower wages for me and the age restrictions. Otherwise, I would absolutely accept people on subsidies.

Yes, yes and yes.... pretty much everything you said about the WHY of my not agreeing with subsidy are true.

I'm okay with admitting that.

I know LOTS of moms and dads on subsidy who send their kids to daycare on their days off. Why should I pay for daycare when it's not needed?? Sure, clients of mine do that but THEY are the ones footing the bill for it - it's different.

I don't agree with it because I think we live in a time of entitlement. I think a lot of families simply have two working parents to afford bigger homes and the latest and greatest that they don't necessarily NEED but just WANT. Well, sorry, but I shouldn't have to pay for your daycare so you can drive a bigger SUV or have a bigger TV.

You know, 60 years ago only one parent worked and people stayed home and actually raised their own kids. They had what they needed to live, they were fed, they were clothed and they spent a lot of time with their kids. But we have moved so far away from that. We have created a society where where we THINK we need two incomes and that comes at the expense of the taxpayer and the kids.

I have no problem if two parents want to work because I am all for CHOICE. But, when you make CHOICES you should make them with the consideration that you can AFFORD those choices.

I hate our social welfare system. I also think we should get rid of universal health (sick) care, daycare subsidy, and pare down welfare.