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March 31, 2009
Who Will Raise Kids: Mom, Dad or State?
Who will raise kids: Mom, Dad or state?
wnd ....for complete article
By Drew Zahn
Though efforts to pass a constitutional amendment protecting parental rights have failed in the past, two U.S. legislators are preparing to reintroduce the idea this week; and this time, they say, the effort is backed by more than 60 congressional members.
Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., who introduced a parental rights amendment by himself last year, told the Agence France-Presse that he will be joined by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., on Tuesday as they renew the fight.
According to a statement released to AFP by Hoekstra's office, the amendment "would clearly outline in the U.S. Constitution that parents, not government or any other organization, have a fundamental right to raise their children as they see fit."
"At a time when government at every level seems to encroach upon the ability of parents to choose the best for their children," Hoekstra writes on his website, "it is important to preserve parental rights into the Constitution."
Last summer Hoekstra introduced H.J.R. 97, proposing a constitutional amendment stating that the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is a fundamental right that cannot be infringed upon by federal, state, or international treaty law without demonstrating government interest "of the highest order." Hoekstra asserts that legitimate cases of abuse and neglect fall under the "demonstrated government interest" clause.
Without any co-sponsors, however, H.J.R 97 died in committee.
According to ParentalRights.org, an organization dedicated to seeing the amendment passed, this year's effort, in addition to senatorial support from DeMint, has recruited 65 U.S. representatives who have committed to joining Hoekstra in co-sponsoring a parental rights amendment.
"Few dispute the vital role of parents in raising the next generation, but, regrettably, few recognize that the fundamental role of parents is under direct attack," wrote J. Michael Smith, president of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.
Smith pointed to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, an internation treaty approved by the Clinton administration but stalled by opposition in the Senate, as one example of governmental attempts to infringe on parental rights.
"It's possible that in the near future, the United States may significantly weaken the rights of parents to raise their children," Smith wrote. "Crucial decisions that parents are accustomed to making, such as what our children read, who they associate with, what kind of discipline is used, whether we take them to church, or whether we homeschool, all become decisions for the state if the United States ratifies the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child."
He continued, "By allowing the government to define and determine what is in the 'best interests of the child,' outside the context of abuse and neglect cases, the UNCRC in effect diminishes the parental role, replacing it with government supervision."
As WND reported, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., last month urged a hurry-up timetable for adoption of the UNCRC.
"Children deserve basic human rights ... and the convention protects children's rights by setting some standards here so that the most vulnerable people of society will be protected," Boxer said, according to Fox News.
Critics like Smith, however, argue the document, which creates "the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion" usurps the role of parents in directing their children's upbringing.
Hoekstra used a 3-minute video clip, viewable above, to explain how, he believes, parental rights are being overlooked in the nation's capitol and why a parental rights amendment is needed:
snipet
To succeed, the amendment Hoekstra and DeMint plan to introduce Tuesday( TODAY) will need to pass in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate by two-thirds majorities each, then win ratification by three-fourths of the states.
Wild Thing's comment.......
God bless Hoekstra and DeMint ! I sure hope this time the amendment will get enough votes and
pass in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at March 31, 2009 05:47 AM
Comments
Barbara Boxerdogface has no idea what she is talking about. My children get more than basic human rights! It is my responsibility to raise them. Look at how many kids on the public dole end up in prisons. Now who's doing the better job? Parents or the government? Chores are an integral part of the growing process. And my kids have more fun than they know what to do with. I am sick to death of bleeding heart liberals who vote away my rights as a parent.
Posted by: Lynn at March 31, 2009 08:18 AM
When I lived in Michigan back in the 80's, we were involved the movement to allow private schools and home schools to operate without state control. Our main nemesis in this fight was the Teachers Union (NEA) and the State of Michigan. This went to the US Supreme Court which kicked it back to the state. In Michigan, children were considered a recourse of the State and therefore under control of the State.
Quality of education was never the issue. The children who were in private schools and home schooled, on the average, tested minimum two grade levels higher than their contemporaries in public schools. The issue was who had control over your children; the parents or the State. The NEA couldn't stomach the thought of "uneducated" housewives with very limited resources educating their children to levels that their union certified teachers couldn't achieve with virtually unlimited funds and resources.
Posted by: BobF at March 31, 2009 11:42 AM
If it doesn't get through it will or should let everyone know where Congress stands on America. For example, Michelle Bachmann is sponsoring a bill that would protect the 'Dollar' so far she has only 30 co-sponsors. Where are the rest of these 'Good Americans', who love this country so much, at least thats what they tell us. They keep telling us they do and spend our money as if to teach us a lesson. They love the power is what they love and the country is second or third depending where the latest bribe is coming from...Bastards is what they are.
Congress needs to be replaced.
Posted by: Mark at March 31, 2009 05:58 PM
