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January 13, 2008 01:21 am
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Editor’s Note: The three candidates for Indiana's 9th District U.S. Congressional race shared their thoughts on talking with children about politics.
By Baron Hill
U.S. Congressman, Ind.-9th District
I have spent a large portion of my adult life serving in positions in both state and federal government but my most important role in life is that of husband, to my wife Betty, and father, to my three daughters.
My family has always supported me through thick and thin — including elections that many of you will readily agree were quite contentious. My daughters have seen the good and bad sides of politics. But, I always tried to emphasize the importance of being politically active - whether that meant running for office, knocking on doors for a candidate, or simply voting.
I urge all parents to reiterate to their children how important it is to vote. It is our civic duty as Americans. There are so many critical issues affecting all of us in Southern Indiana right now, and your vote is one highly effective way of expressing your opinions. In the 2004 presidential election less than half of youth voters cast their ballot. And, too few even registered to vote. Political apathy should not be accepted during a time in which we need to collectively move our country in a new direction.
The upcoming presidential election offers a wide array of candidates. I suggest that you encourage your children to read about the presidential hopefuls and discuss their respective issue positions with your children.
Also, talk to your children about local politics. While presidential campaigns get more attention, often, local issues are the ones with which people can more readily identify. While foreign policy and other issues are important, so are property taxes, potholes and school performance.
Remind your children that they have the power to vote on any issue about which they are concerned or interested. Our great country was founded on the idea that the people should hold the key to their own destiny, and voting is the cornerstone of democracy.
I am so fortunate to represent the people of Southern Indiana in Congress. It is something for which I am thankful every day. I am also incredibly proud of my family and how my daughters have each pursued their individual passions. My family certainly does not agree with all of my political opinions. And, I value that. Educated debate challenges one to really think about and defend his or her beliefs. And, it often results in common sense solutions.
By Eric Schansberg
U.S. Congressional candidate, Ind.-9th District
My four young children didn't see much “politics” in my congressional race. My opponents didn't bother to attack me in their ads. And I didn't share much with my children about the political issues in the campaign. They're too young to understand most of it.
My kids did notice a lot of our political activity. They saw that I was busy doing new activities. They thought it was cool that my name and picture were in the newspapers. They liked wearing T-shirts with our name on it and handing out pencils at the county fairs. They rolled in laughter at some of the lines we had in our radio ads.
Over and above politics, my wife Tonia and I want to teach our kids to have a coherent Christian worldview of government: When is it appropriate to use government as a means to various ends? In what context is it okay for the government to take money from some people in order to give it to others? (When one child takes a toy from another, I often half-joke with them that they can't do that since “you're not the government”.) When should we get the government to prevent people from doing something - or to force them to do something else? Under what conditions should our country attack another country?
Typically, people have a narrow view of government, focusing on one or two issues that are most important to them. This is understandable because we're fortunate to live in a country where we don't need to pay much attention to politics. But this also leads most people to have an incoherent approach to government and to embrace government “solutions” far too easily. Too often, the results are harmful, especially for the working poor and those in the middle class who are not connected to a special interest group. This is unacceptable, and we hope to convey that to our children.
The most poignant moment in the campaign was when one of my sons asked if I would win. I said probably not. He asked if I would finish second. Again, I said probably not - that I'd probably lose by a lot. I could see the puzzled look on his face, because he usually sees me being “successful”. It was a great opportunity for me to convey the crucial idea that you have to do the right thing, even if you don't think that you'll win.
By Mike Sodrel
Former U.S. Congressman, Ind.-9th District
Parents should use this election season to teach their children about the reason for politics. Campaigns are too often treated like basketball games. People get focused on which team is going to win. In basketball, winning the game is the end. In politics, winning an election is the beginning.
A pilot has to learn the parts of an airplane before flying. Children should learn the parts of government before voting. Drivers learn about speed limits in the driver's manual. Voters can learn the limits of government in the Constitution.
America is a Republic, not a Democracy. Our pledge of allegiance says, in part, … “And to the republic for which it stands...” In a democracy, the majority rules. In our republic, the Constitution rules. Our government officials have limited power, not unlimited power.
Thomas Jefferson was the author of our Declaration of Independence and our third president. He used a term that sounds strange to modern ears. He called people democratic republicans. This meant the person believed in a constitutional republic with democratically elected officials.
Our founders established three branches of government. This was to make sure no one person, or group, got too much power. I use the letters LEJ (ledge) for children to remember the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. I use the child's game rock, paper, scissors to explain how checks and balances work.
I also teach children that government does not have any money. Government prints money like a casino issues chips. Government gets its money from taxpayers, like a casino gets its money from customers. One does it by chance, the other by law. Government money is really taxpayer money.
Adam Smith wrote a book called “Wealth of Nations” in 1776. He wanted to know why some nations were wealthier than others. He said, “Anyone who produces more than he consumes makes a nation wealthier.” By his standard, a UAW worker at the Ford plant makes our nation wealthier than any elected official.
Over 200 years ago, 56 Americans signed the Declaration of Independence. At the time Patrick Henry said, “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”
Every generation of Americans has had to decide what their liberty was worth. We've done it on the battlefield and we do it every time we go to the polls, or fail to show up.
Teach your children well.
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