Subsidizing irresponsible behavior

Speier states there is a “child care crisis.” This “crisis” is because people are irresponsibly having children they cannot afford and expecting other people to pay for them. There is already free public school paid for by taxpayers, including those who have no children; free food stamps; WIC supplemental nutrition programs; free health care via MediCal; free diapers; rental vouchers, etc., all paid for by people who pay taxes. Now Speier wants to add child care to the list.

If people buy cars and cannot make the payments, will Speier declare a “car payment crisis” and expect others to subsidize people who buy cars they cannot afford?

We all must live within our means, including where we live, the cars we buy, the clothes we wear, and the number of children we have. Having children is not a right; it is a conscious decision. If people cannot afford to stay home and take care of their own children they chose to have, or pay for child care, they should not have those children. They must not expect others to take on the financial burden of providing for them.

It is called personal responsibility; let’s encourage it instead of Speier’s opposite approach.

 Michael Grubb

San Mateo