So much to post about, So little time.

Here we are, at the beginning of a new year and the challenges before us are myriad and mounting. I'd like to take a moment raise awareness of this issue.
UNICEF has announced that Somalia plans to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child treaty, leaving the US as the only UN member state still holding out. This Treaty is appalling in it's generality and scope. In my opinion, the US should not sign on to this treaty for a number of reasons.

• This sentence, in the preamble to this treaty takes a definitive stand on when life begins:
  "Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth" (emphasis mine) Combined with Article 6 section 1( "1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life.") I think this effectively outlaws abortions-all abortions. I, personally, am in favor of outlawing abortion, even in the case of rape or incest, because in my view that child did not commit the crime. I do, however, strongly object to a lack of consideration for the life of the mother. A couple who must choose between the mother's life and that of her unborn baby for health reasons has enough stress without the government sticking their two cents worth into that decision.
• This treaty would create an unconscionable financial burden upon the nation as Article 6 states:"2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child." This is further strengthened by Article 7, sections 1 and 2, which state:"1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and. as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents. 2. States Parties shall ensure the implementation of these rights in accordance with their national law and their obligations under the relevant international instruments in this field, in particular where the child would otherwise be stateless."
• Article 7, sections 1 and 2 also leave a whole lot of leeway for government interference with the raising of our children. Article 7 section one could be read as saying the child has the right to be cared for by his/her biological parents. Then section 2 says the State must make this possible. Article 7 , section 1 may outlaw adoption as well as egg and sperm donation. Because the state would be required to ensure the child "the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents".

Now this may all sound fairly innocuous, until you factor in the idea that the state must make possible a parent's ability to raise their child. This opens the door not only to abuse on the part of the state, but abuse of the state on the part of the citizenry. I have heard teen aged girls plotting to get pregnant so that they can go on welfare and get out of their parent's houses under the current welfare system of the state of WI. How much worse would this become under this treaty? Can't find a job-or just don't want to? Don't worry, the government is bound by international treaty to make you able to care for your children. Isn't the character of young girls like the ones I overheard degraded enough without adding this sort of temptation? This treaty says parents(plural) That means all those young men getting their machismo on by fathering children they don't care for could also demand benefits from the government, does it not?

This treaty, in mandating that the government provide for such things, also creates a mandate for in-home checks by government officials. In home checks on every child, not just those who have been reported as at-risk for one reason or another. In home checks with government criteria to be met whether the government's criteria for a healthy home matches your own or not.

I think we are better than that. If you don't like the possibilities for government meddling in our private lives and the lives of our children contained within this treaty, I would strongly suggest you check out Parental Rights.org. Sign the petition and join the fight.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."~ Psalm 127:3-5