David Weldon: “When talking about children, there are significant differences between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans do not…”

“When talking about children, there are significant differences between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans do not believe it takes Washington bureaucrats and spending to raise a child. But after 30 years of a failed welfare system, a rapidly failing public education system, and a deteriorating justice system, Republicans have a different answer. What it takes to raise a child successfully today is quite simple: two responsible parents. What children need is not more Government spending but a mother and a father who care about them. When talking about children, Republicans begin with three principles: First, that the moral health of a nation is no less important than its economic or military strength. The fact is, you cannot have a healthy moral environment to raise children in America when 12-year-olds are having babies, 15-year-olds are killing each other, 17-year-olds are dying of AIDS, and 18-year-olds are graduating with diplomas they cannot read. If we are to restore the moral health of America, this behavior has got to stop. Second, it is the results, not the rhetoric, that counts. Anyone can sound compassionate, but the truly compassionate are those that go out and find ways to make the lives of our children more happy and healthy. And third, we must be willing to face ourselves in the mirror and be honest with the American people about the failure of the Washington welfare system to help those who need it most.”