I don't mean to suggest this is a reasonable proposal, but I DO mean to suggest that we need to do SOMETHING to get our priorities back in order. Day cares aren't a way to raise a child (nor, in my opinion, are state run schools, but that's a topic for another blog). Our entire CULTURE is becoming impoverished by generations of children who don't know their parents.
The proposal to pay SAHM's is, in my opinion, not a GOOD proposal, but it is SOMETHING. And in the absence of nothing, something usually gets a vote. We need to discuss the issues to address this further.
While I agree with the top part I do not agree that just because there is nothing that we should just go for the first dumb idea that is thown at us. I can't believe we have reached a point where we should be happy with what we get, forget about actually trying to find a real, good solution.
As to the proposal being the same as welfare, it is not. Welfare is means tested. Jythier's proposal is not. Frankly, I'm more than a little appalled at the attitude that SAHM mothers are welfare bums. My wife is a SAHM, and I assure you that she works harder than most folks, she just does it in a different environment.
I never called SAHM bums, just in case. They work maybe even harder considering that their job does not end till they go to sleep and in many cases they wake up during that time to do some more. What I don't agree on is this idea of giving a paycheck from out of other peoples money (taxes) for something that has been done for centuries and is known as part of the responsability of being a wife, husband and/or mom and dad. If this is so then maybe daddy shoudl also get a check for cutting the lawn, fixing a leaky pipe, painting the house, fixing the cars, taking the kids when mom goes out, throwing out the garbage, cleaning the garage, additions to the house, grilling, making sure all the electrical equipment works properly, etc. A womans job as a SAHM never seems to have a clock out time but then never does that of a Work outside of the house then stay home after work dad.