Here's Your Opportunity To Comment On "Universal Preschool" Proposed By Pres. Obama

[DCMom]

But at most participation should be optional and there should be no repercussions for providers choosing not to be involved.

But it won't be. In MN, there is legislation introduced (SF 1024) establishing The Department of Early Care and Education.

They want to transfer licensing for family child care and child care centers from DHS to this department.

"....progress of the stage of Minnesota in moving toward a system of universal early education and care for preschool children through the age of five...'

This coupled with the unionization of childcare providers; in that bill states that we would be a collective bargaining unit of the state i.e. employees. I think you can figure out where this is going.

[Blackcat31]

I am not trying to be rude and I know this doesn't apply to everyone on public assistance but, I find it sad that sometimes people assume everyone on it just doesn't give a d*** and is not trying to better their lives. There are plenty of hard working people who need help.

You are right about the streotyping of people on assistance but I think that we can safely say that a MAJORITY of recipients ARE the kind of people that don't want to work and don't want to contribute.

If you don't agree with that, ask. Ask anyone to tell you their personal stories/experiences with dealing with families using government assistance.

For every 1 good and productive story of a family using the program as a HAND UP and not a HAND OUT, there are 100 stories on the opposite side.

I've been in this field now for almost 25 years. I have had on average 3-5 families EACH year on assistance. In all my years of providing care for families using assistance, only one...yes ONE family has managed to do the right thing and bring themselves up and out of poverty and dependence on assistance.

I am not saying the intentions of government assistance is wrong just that the program itself is so out of whack and so far off the original intent that something really super drastic NEEDS to happen in order for any changes to happen.

We cannot just continue along the same path we are on and just keep wishing, hoping and praying things will change.

The system needs a complete overhaul.

[MyAngels]

Thank you My Angels foryour original post! I know you said to comment on this and you actually provided a link for that. Interesting how every one is commenting on here though and not the link you so nicely provided for us.

Interesting how we argue back and forth on issues here instead of emailing, writing, facebooking, making phone calls to the people that are in charge of these issues. I guess we are going to solve the whole issue on here instead of in Washington/our states where the leaders of our country/states reside.

My point: If you want something like this solved, take a stand and fight for it! Arguing on here is not going to solve anything.

I do have to say its an interesting subject and interesting points have been made. I think it would be wonderful though if everyone took their points, and contact someone higher up (email, call, write, facebook) and let them know how they feel. Flood their offices and have them see you point. You will never know if it will work unless you try-

Good conversation, though, right? Pretty peaceful and respectful overall.

More links to contact your representatives:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Don't be put off by the form responses. I get them all the time, and normally get a follow up later that's more specific.

And don't forget to contact your state government as well. It can't hurt, right?

[Blackcat31]

Good conversation, though, right? Pretty peaceful and respectful overall.
More links to contact your representatives:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Don't be put off by the form responses. I get them all the time, and normally get a follow up later that's more specific.

And don't forget to contact your state government as well. It can't hurt, right?

I think this thread is EXCELLENT conversation!

I also think it is VERY important to have these kinds of dicussions.

Thank you for posting the original post.

[Scout]

You are right about the streotyping of people on assistance but I think that we can safely say that a MAJORITY of recipients ARE the kind of people that don't want to work and don't want to contribute.

If you don't agree with that, ask. Ask anyone to tell you their personal stories/experiences with dealing with families using government assistance.

For every 1 good and productive story of a family using the program as a HAND UP and not a HAND OUT, there are 100 stories on the opposite side.

I've been in this field now for almost 25 years. I have had on average 3-5 families EACH year on assistance. In all my years of providing care for families using assistance, only one...yes ONE family has managed to do the right thing and bring themselves up and out of poverty and dependence on assistance.

I am not saying the intentions of government assistance is wrong just that the program itself is so out of whack and so far off the original intent that something really super drastic NEEDS to happen in order for any changes to happen.

We cannot just continue along the same path we are on and just keep wishing, hoping and praying things will change.

The system needs a complete overhaul.

But maybe, just maybe this is what Obama is trying to do. By beginning to educate our children at a younger age they may not NEED public assistance as adults. It may just be the difference that is needed. No one will know until it is given a fair chance.

[Crystal]

I think this thread is EXCELLENT conversation!

I also think it is VERY important to have these kinds of dicussions.

Thank you for posting the original post.

I agree.

I will come back later to specifically answer some of the posts here.

I do think we can all agree that there is definitely an overhaul needed in regards to welfare, education and how government spends money overall though

[Blackcat31]

But maybe, just maybe this is what Obama is trying to do. By beginning to educate our children at a younger age they may not NEED public assistance as adults. It may just be the difference that is needed. No one will know until it is given a fair chance.

As I said in my original post, the education is not needed for the children.

The PARENTS need educating far more than the children do.

Money would be better spent investing in helping families become self-sufficient NOT educating their children. That is a parental repsonsibility IMHO.

[mom2many]

As I said in my original post, the education is not needed for the children.

The PARENTS need educating far more than the children do.

Money would be better spent investing in helping families become self-sufficient NOT educating their children. That is a parental repsonsibility IMHO.

[MarinaVanessa]

As I said in my original post, the education is not needed for the children.

The PARENTS need educating far more than the children do.

Money would be better spent investing in helping families become self-sufficient NOT educating their children. That is a parental repsonsibility IMHO.

:hug: I love you BlackCat

[My3cents]

I disagree with anything forced upon families.

If a parent decides to place their child in federally funded public preschool at 3-4 years of age that is what they should get.

If a parent decides they want their child in a private home childcare environment (like mine) then that should be what they get.

Forcing me to function like the federally funded public preschool, against my will, in my private home is a huge problem.

I should have the right to offer the services I choose. Parents should have the right to choose what services they want for their child.

I agree with you but, parents will choose free before they pay out and will put most of us out of business. I feel it won't stop at 4- before you know it, parents will have what educational nursery they want for the unborn child set up and ready while in the thought process of getting pregnant. Today it takes two parents working to make ends meet. Free trumps having to pay out. If not more kids would be home schooled.

As a tax payer I don't want to see my taxes go up anymore. I don't want more programs added. I would like to see programs decreased and more job creation for the average Joe. Jobs that high school students that graduate can go into and make an ok wage. I would like to see true welfare reform before I see Pre-k.

[My3cents]

You are right about the streotyping of people on assistance but I think that we can safely say that a MAJORITY of recipients ARE the kind of people that don't want to work and don't want to contribute.

If you don't agree with that, ask. Ask anyone to tell you their personal stories/experiences with dealing with families using government assistance.

For every 1 good and productive story of a family using the program as a HAND UP and not a HAND OUT, there are 100 stories on the opposite side.

I've been in this field now for almost 25 years. I have had on average 3-5 families EACH year on assistance. In all my years of providing care for families using assistance, only one...yes ONE family has managed to do the right thing and bring themselves up and out of poverty and dependence on assistance.

I am not saying the intentions of government assistance is wrong just that the program itself is so out of whack and so far off the original intent that something really super drastic NEEDS to happen in order for any changes to happen.

We cannot just continue along the same path we are on and just keep wishing, hoping and praying things will change.

The system needs a complete overhaul.

[My3cents]

As I said in my original post, the education is not needed for the children.

The PARENTS need educating far more than the children do.

Money would be better spent investing in helping families become self-sufficient NOT educating their children. That is a parental repsonsibility IMHO.

wish I could double bold that!!!

Did I say I love thislovethis I love this!!! Bingo, shazam, bulls eye

[Starburst]

So done with people saying you are not smart without having a professor decide you are! Oh and BTW...I do have a college degree, NOT in ECE, but I have been very successful for 26+ years and LOVE what I do!!!!

I wasn't saying people aren't smart just because they didn't go to college. I was stating that most jobs/businesses now REQUIRE a degree and even if they don't in most cases it doesn't hurt to have one. My mom worked in resturants for over 30 years as a waitress and manager; she got laid off about 2 years ago and still hasn't been able to find a stable job (a few part time temp jobs through friends). She has a bunch of experience and a current food handlers permit, but most of these jobs want people who have taken culenary or business classes. And there are also many jobs now that are being out sourced to other countries or computers.

[Scout]

I wasn't saying people aren't smart just because they didn't go to college. I was stating that most jobs/businesses now REQUIRE a degree and even if they don't in most cases it doesn't hurt to have one. My mom worked in resturants for over 30 years as a waitress and manager; she got laid off about 2 years ago and still hasn't been able to find a stable job (a few part time temp jobs through friends). She has a bunch of experience and a current food handlers permit, but most of these jobs want people who have taken culenary or business classes. And there are also many jobs now that are being out sourced to other countries or computers.

This is true. My brother is a very talented carpenter and when he decided to go work for someone other than doing his own business he worked for people that hadn't a clue about how to do carpentry! His foreman's were above him, made more money, got all the recognition because they had a college degree! And the degree could be in anything, didn't have to be in anything to do with carpentry. Now he works for a company that has 3 of his bathroom remodels in a magazine up for awards but again, he won't get the recognition since he works for a company!

[Willow]

Thank you My Angels foryour original post! I know you said to comment on this and you actually provided a link for that. Interesting how every one is commenting on here though and not the link you so nicely provided for us.

Interesting how we argue back and forth on issues here instead of emailing, writing, facebooking, making phone calls to the people that are in charge of these issues. I guess we are going to solve the whole issue on here instead of in Washington/our states where the leaders of our country/states reside.

My point: If you want something like this solved, take a stand and fight for it! Arguing on here is not going to solve anything.

I do have to say its an interesting subject and interesting points have been made. I think it would be wonderful though if everyone took their points, and contact someone higher up (email, call, write, facebook) and let them know how they feel. Flood their offices and have them see you point. You will never know if it will work unless you try-

Just because one chooses to have a conversation on a forum like this doesn't mean they aren't incredibly active in networking with those in positions of political power too

Will I contact those who don't care to listen to what I have to say though? Nah. Anyone that has ever tried to contact their legislators when you disagree with them on a certain issue knows full well they rarely if ever respond. If they do it's a generated message that doesn't address the heart of your concerns.

I find it's far more effective to contact the legislators who *are* on your side to let them know you are supporting their efforts, as well as networking with others in your life who may not know as much about a particular issue to get the accurate information out there. Supporting and spreading the word is far more effective than trying to talk to people who don't want to listen imho.