Albert Delgado reports:  This morning my youngest brother Alan, died after a long battle with MS at around 1 am. He is at peace, he ran the race with such courage. Now he can rest. He was the All-American kid with a big heart and big smile. Wednesday, 7 August 2002 9:38:35 AM. Condolences: .

 [aka Obituaries a la Blog]

We say we care about kids. As a culture, as a body politic, we don't act that way.

We know electoral power helps senior citizens. They use the ballot box to affect investment in public health programs, medicare, retirement, crime, and other issues close to their hearts.

Much of this has come at the expense of children. According to Children Now "One of every four youngsters under six lives in poverty and statistics on child abuse, addiction, teen pregnancy and violence numb the consciousness." We don't assure that every child has health care, food, warm clothes, safe living conditions, a pre-collegiate education. What can we do about this?

What happens if we give every citizen the right to vote starting at birth? Parents holding it in trust for minors, casting it as proxy for their kids?

Would candidates more actively solicit votes from parents to get their children's votes?

Would our elected officials be younger?

Would we invest our public funds differently? Would we build fewer prisions? More schools?

Would our foreign policy be affected? More money for child health care and less for weapons?

Children are disenfranchised; their have no vote, no say in the workings of government. Perhaps they should.  

AIM Y! @Ryze

[aka public policy]