Polis unveils child-care plan
By Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 10, 2008 at 10:08 p.m.
Jared Polis
Jared Polis, who is running for the 2nd Congressional District seat, unveiled a plan Thursday that would help working families pay for child care.
"There is a crisis in child care today," said Polis, who announced his plan at a meeting with Boulder employees of Google, a company that has been in the news after struggling with child-care costs.
"It is time to be bold. It's not only poor families that struggle with the cost of child care but middle-class families, too."
He noted that paying for child care is a major burden on family incomes across the board.
"The current patchwork of complex rules and inadequate assistance fails working families," he said. "We must revamp the system entirely and meaningfully strengthen the federal share."
His plan consist of several steps:
* Make the federal Dependent Care Tax Credit refundable and expand that credit for families using it toward high quality child development care.
* Replace the current block grant program with a federal guarantee for all families with incomes under $40,000 that need child care to enter or keep employment, and a sliding scale of support for middle-income families.
* Provide funding incentives for states to raise educational qualifications and compensation of child care workers.
A comparable plan proposed by Mark Greenberg with the Center for American Progress estimates that the tax credit expansions would cost $5 billion annually, and the subsidy and quality expansions would cost about $18 billion.
Polis believes that by ending the war in Iraq quickly and rolling back the worst provisions of the Bush 2001 tax cuts, the country can more than afford these investments.
Polis' rivals in the primary race for the 2nd Congressional District had mixed reactions to the plan.
Mary Alice Mandarich, campaign manager for Joan Fitz-Gerald, said that while child care is a major concern for many families, it is not the only one.
"Obviously, families in these tough economic times are facing a lot of economic decisions, and child care is obviously one of them," she said.
"Child care is one of the concerns. They're also worried about the price of food, the price of gas, clothing and keeping their jobs. They're worried about staying in their homes. There are a lot of things to be concerned about."
Lynea Hansen, campaign manager for Will Shafroth, stressed Shafroth's strength in addressing such issues.
"Will Shafroth is the only candidate in this race with a proven track record of bring people together and reaching across the aisle to solve these types of tough problems," she said.
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July 10, 2008
11:03 p.m.
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GorillaGrodd writes:
Hey, here's a thought: if people choose to have kids, maybe they should pay for their own child care rather than tax me to pay for it.
July 11, 2008
12:33 a.m.
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infidel91 writes:
But Jared said you could afford it . . .
July 11, 2008
12:53 a.m.
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jacka writes:
Gorilla hammers it home.
Jared wants to uses taxes from AARP members who raised their kids without a government programe.
Jared wants to uses taxes from singles and couples without kids as a government handout to those who choose to have kids.
Jared wants to uses taxes from the 30-60 year old crowd who raised their kids without a government programme as a government handout.
Boulder Liberal Jared, president of the billionaire boys club.
Jared wants to increase the governmment treasury, then redistribute it via new government programmes.
July 11, 2008
12:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
misterchinaski writes:
you had kids but can't afford to pay for their care while you're away?
you should have went to jared!
July 11, 2008
7:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
vudumom writes:
People should not have to pay for other people's children. It is a simple concept. You have children if you can afford to care for them. If you have one that was a oops, okay. Unfortunately people have child after child and expect the tax payers to pay for programs to take care of them. How about a tax credit for stay at home parents? We sacrifice alot to stay at home and raise our children. Why is one of the worst things you can do to a child, (daycare )earn you a tax credit? Wouldn't it be better to encourage people to stay home and raise their children?
July 11, 2008
7:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Acemon writes:
Another step on the path to socialism. Polis would like to take money from my carefully budgeted income to benefit people who can't take responsibilty for their own choices.
From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs. Karl Marx would no-doubt love Jaren Polis and his "progressive" thoughts.
At least now I know who NOT to vote for.
July 11, 2008
8:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
BrianSchwartz writes:
I'm sure Polis is a smart guy, but he's either blind or indifferent to the utter immorality of forcing other people to do what he thinks is right. That is, by using the power of government to compel one group of people to give money to another group. As "Vudomom" puts succinctly, "People should not have to pay for other people's children."
As I've written before, compulsory charity is immoral and impractical:
http://www.patientpowernow.org/2008/0...
July 11, 2008
8:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
mojambo writes:
first of all, children are OUR future, not just their parents' future. I'm not saying give a completely free ride but furthering the next generation is in the best interest of society so gov't assistance is warranted.
secondly, I agree with a similar tax credit to stay at homes however calling daycare "one of the worst things you can do to a child" is ludicrous, sanctimonious bullsh*t.
thirdly, I have to laugh at yet another "crisis" from an extreme left liberal.
Peace
July 11, 2008
9:08 a.m.
Suggest removal
duanejk writes:
Why can't Jared just bankroll his own plan?
He's been throwing money at problems his entire life.
July 11, 2008
9:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
Acemon writes:
mojambo - I have nothing to gain from the "next generation," and claiming so is your own sanctimonious nonsense. My needs are today, and taking money from my pocket does little to help.
July 11, 2008
9:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
mojambo writes:
Short sighted doesn't even begin to describe your position.
You really believe that a declining population is good for generations both current and future?
If so I won't waste my time trying to convince you otherwise.
July 11, 2008
9:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
tjpatriot writes:
The last thing the politicians did regarding childcare was to require all caregivers earn a "certificate". This involves going to (and paying for) classes, time, etc. Although you can see some merit to the idea, it essentially ruled out a lot of grandmothers and others who were excellent caregivers, and as with any license it turned a "right" into a "privilege" controlled and dictated by the "state".
And as is typical with meddling-government policies, it RAISED the cost of doing business, and thereby RAISED the cost of childcare for everyone using it.
NICE GOING POLITICIANS, WHY DON'T YOU TRY BUTTING-THE-F-OUT OF EVERYONES LIVES!!!
July 11, 2008
10:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
Acemon writes:
mojambo - I have no children and probably will not survive long enough to "benefit" from any children now in daycare, thus I have no stake in the world after my death. As far as a declining population goes, a lack of daycare is unlikely to affect it, but fewer people equals lower consumption of our dwindling supplies.
I would rather see money spent on educating high school students on the real cost and difficulty of having children. I also think students should be taught how to be self-sufficient and not hope for government handouts to bail them out of poor perseonal choices.
July 11, 2008
10:21 a.m.
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mojambo writes:
Assuming you're at, or near retirement age from your comment about not expecting to live longe enough.......you're currenlty benefiting from daycare, or at least soon will be - after all, who do you think is contributing to Social Security so that you can receive your monthly check?
families with 2 working parents are the norm, not the exception, and each of those 2 working parent families rely on daycare of some sort.
July 11, 2008
10:36 a.m.
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Acemon writes:
mojambo - No, I'm only 47, but the children in daycare now will not be "contributing" to Social Security for another 13-14 years if they being working after graduating high school, and another 17-18 years for those going to college. The money I have contributed myself to SS over the last 30+ years, as well as those working now, will be my beneficiaries, unless congress continues to raise the age at which I can begin collecting.
Working families with children in daycare made their choices, so why not expect them to show some responsibility for their actions? Do you find that concept unrealistic?
July 11, 2008
10:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
dummas writes:
first of all, this hypocrite grandstands at a company that puts profit before human rights "Google Sensors Itself for Beijing" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology...
then he says to pay for the 18 billion dollar program he wants to end the Iraq war AND roll back Bush's tax cuts...here's what the war in Iraq is costing us so far this year : http://zfacts.com/p/447.html
if this idiot can't do basic math and can't live up to the fundamentals of the liberal that he claims he is then he has no business being in any elected office...let alone running a cash register at wal-mart...nice reporting RMN
July 11, 2008
11 a.m.
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mojambo writes:
Not only do I find it realistic, my wife and I exemplify it. I've already stated I'm not advocating for a free ride, particularly for those that can afford child care.
I'm just appalled at positions, such as yours, that you gain absolutely NO benefit from a future generation.
Of course, maybe I'm off base in that description since you haven't mentioned anything about your property taxes in large part funding public schooling.
July 11, 2008
11:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
pwern writes:
Great idea, Jared. In fact, why don't we just hand over our entire paychecks to the government and let them take care of EVERYTHING for us, cradle-to-grave. Then everybody will be fine.
Oh wait - that's been tried already. They call it, um, oh yeah: COMMUNISM. Unless my observations are incorrect, that little social experiment has failed pretty much everywhere it's been tried. Had something to with eliminating incentives to work, being productive, enjoying the fruits of your labor - pesky little issues like that that concern basic human nature. Oh yeah, and then there's that 'inconvenient truth' concerning the relationship between Socialism and Authoritarianism. But what's the loss of a few freedoms in the name of the greater good?
Here's an idea - how about if everybody just takes responsibility for their actions. Don't have more children than you can afford. and if you can't afford them, get a freakin' cat. So tired of these Liberals who feel every problem can be solved if we just initiated one more tax dollar-funded government program.
July 11, 2008
11:19 a.m.
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Acemon writes:
mojambo - I applaud you and your wife for taking responsibilty for your choices. But truly, I will gain nothing or very little from children who are now 2-4 years old since they are the one who will see immediate benefit from government subsidized daycare. My various taxes already help subsidize pre-natal and post-natal care, as well as welfare, food stamps, hospitization, K-12 education, and even some college scholarships. I also help with their police, fire protection, bus & light rail ridership, and various other forms of infrastructure when you consider the truly poor pay few taxes other than sales taxes on the goods they consume (other than groceries). When I shop at Target, King Soopers, and many other stores, I further subsidize poor people since those stores donate a portion of their profits to local communtity groups.
How much more do you want me to contribute?
July 11, 2008
12:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cowboy63 writes:
Who said, "A liberal is someone who is willing to give you the shirt of off someone else's back"?
July 11, 2008
12:15 p.m.
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farsidefan writes:
Acemon,
The previous generation supported you in many ways when you were a kid didn't they ? I don't necessarily mean via childcare, but I suspect in all other ways you listed. We owe it to the next without holding it up as some big sacrifice on our part.
I handled daycare as a single father for over 10 years. It was the most important bill I paid after food.
Vudu...I will put up both of my son's and their careers to anything you have to offer from your "homegrown kids."
Our daughter was in a homecare situation. Now as a 6th grader, she is doing terrific and I suspect she will continue to do well. I agree with Mojambo..sanctimonious crap.
July 11, 2008
12:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Acemon writes:
farsideman - I applaud you for making difficult choices as a single father. I wish more people shared your dilligence and work ethic. Yes, you're right that previous generations heped pay for my K-12 schooling. but free pre- and post-natal care didn't exist, nor a lot of "entitlements" which exist today. My parents paid their share of taxes, and covered their own costs along the way. My dad, who grew up poor on a dying cotton farm in Texas, went to night classes to better educate himself, then worked a lot of overtime to support my stay-at-home mom, myself, and my sister. He taught me the value of self-suffiency, which seems in short supply nowadays. I'm middle-class with only a high school education, yet I'm a productive, tax-paying member of society who asks for little in return.
I ask again, how much more should I pay?