Ever wonder why after all these years we still have not achieved that long cherished feminist dream of awesome childcare centers as free and plentiful as public parks? You know, the centers that would provide the state-of-the-art childcare that is available in so many European nations.
You know, the kind of childcare France is so famous for.
It must be the same reason why 46 million Americans don't have health insurance.
The privileged class who write the rules in America don't need it. Their children get the best childcare money can buy, and their entire families get awesome health care, courtesy of us taxpayers.
Aren't we generous?
Meet Congressman John Doolittle (R-CA), one of the most despicable Congressmen I've yet discovered. Rep. Doolittle bills his child's care to his campaign reelection committee and his leadership PAC.
Ann at Feministing reports, "Doolittle has supported legislation to require more poor parents to participate in welfare-to-work programs without providing adequate increases in child-care assistance. He also received the lowest possible score from the Children's Defense Fund for his votes on (among other things) funding for child care, Head Start and after-school programs. Parents in his district spend one-third of their income on child care."
The lowest possible score is zero.
Doolittle doesn't want to help the children of America get the care they require. Of course not. The Republican Congressman from California doesn't even want to pay for his own children's care.
According to the Washington Post, Rep. Doolittle "makes $165,200 a year as a member of Congress. His wife has already taken in close to $100,000 in commissions this election as his fundraiser."
One might think that Doolittle would have a little empathy for the children whose parents don't have campaign funds to dip into. After all, in America, many children have died because parents who want to keep their jobs are routinely forced to leave children in substandard care.
As we all know, America's motto is: You get what you pay for. That little national motto pretty well sums up how children are valued in America.
So why don't all American children get decent childcare? Why don't all Americans have health insurance?
Take your pick:
1. America is ruled by selfish pigs.
2. Americans are simply not as bright as the people in the other rich nations.
3. Write your own reason.
Doolittle is up for re-election, or defeat. See Dump Doolittle
Rep. John Doolittle (friend of Jack Abramoff, Tom Delay and other crooked Republicans. )
United States House of Representatives
2410 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-2511
202-225-5444 (fax)
email (form requires zip code)
The photo of Doolittle playing in the car is taken from his website.
MomsRising has a petition: "There is a silent crisis in America. Mothers and families are in trouble. A full quarter of families with children under six live in poverty, at least 9 million children don't have any health care, and far too many parents can't afford to stay home with sick children. Working toward common sense family-friendly policies like those covered in The Motherhood Manifesto will help all. Tell American Leaders: It's time to support common sense family-friendly policies that protect and invest in mothers, children, and families." -- Via Redneck Mother
Politics John Doolittle Republicans 2006 Election California Universal Childcare Feminist Universal Healthcare
