Hillary Clinton & Child Poverty Issues

I don't think I need to say that Health Care coverage for children is a major issue for lower income families. I remember having to take my son to the hospital, with a broken arm. I had no health insurance and I was unable to pay for the care he needed. I was blessed to have a local hospital who subscribed to a program that helped; but this is not a mandatory program; and I still had to pay bills for that service for years to come.

Many of you middle and upper income families may not be aware of the fact that there are still homeless families living the United States. They are living on the streets, in cars, and in shelters. Sad, for a country who is considered the world's Financial Leader. And, there are even more families whose children will go to bed hungry tonight because the grocery money ran out. I have volunteered for the 'soup kitchens' in my home town and was shocked at the children. By turning our backs and trying to 'pretend it away' we are endangering the long term welfare of our nation. We need these kids to grow up healthy and ready to compete in a global economy. We don't need them living the streets, learning from the streets!

Hillary has a plan to cut child proverty in half by 2020 and to end child hunger by 2012. To achieve these goals, she will:

• Close the early opportunity gap with a comprehensive Zero-to-Five education initiative, including nurse home visits, early Head Start, child care and universal pre-K;
• End child hunger by strengthening the food stamp program, improving our food safety net and providing greater access to healthy, fresh food;
• Provide economic opportunity to low-income families by raising the minimum wage, expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and new job training opportunities; and
• Strengthen our families by working to prevent teen pregnancy, support responsible fatherhood, and make sure child support payments go to help lift children out of poverty.

Hillary Clinton has been championing for children's rights for almost 4 full decades.  I believe that she can accomplish this agenda because she has the desire and ability to make sure it happens; and her years of fighting for children's rights as First Lady has proven that.  She knows how to work with a partisan legislature to get things done.  She has been doing that in her 8 years of Senate service.

I put out a call to all parents in the United States, whether you are poor, rich, or just making it. Please vote for a lady who will fight for the children who need a champion.  Hillary Clinton is that champion!

Take Care,  Sharon