EVERYBODY ready for a really big babysitting bill? When your meddling fed- eral government is on the job, expect a lite more than $5 per hour at the end of the night. Try millions. Were that money to be invested for the good of those being babysar, the enormous taxpayer ouday might be a lit- tle easier to swallow. But the rumoured federal plan for a $12 billion universal child care program for Canada has nothing to do with chil- dren. It has everything to do with helping parents side-step the difficult job of parenthood, which has been relegated to the back of the social bus in Canada and everywhere else that embraces Hollywood shal- lowness over basic family val- ues. Front seats in that bus are reserved for adult self-fulfill- ment and career dalliances. Forget universal child care; we’re talking universal parent care — another half-baked scheme that shortchanges the core Canadian family unit while incinerating its tax dol- lars. That’s the Liberal way. As discussed in previous Ripping Yarns, Ortawa has lit- tle time for the traditional Canadian family of one bread- winner and one stay-at-home parent. Doesn't make enough political noise. Not hip enough. Not dependent enough on government. In the world of the deaf and dopey in high government places, tax dollars are best spent on squeaky wheels and social engineering projects that will reap the most votes. Thus universal child care. Leaked plans for the scheme have it aimed at the middle-class, which, according to news reports, are suffering mightily in the child-rearing game. Not enough government help, it seems. Opined one Toronto child- care worker: “The poorest (mothers) stay home. Rich people don't use child care. They have nannies. They will always have nannies. ‘The mid- dle class make trade-offs.” Like raising their kids themselves perhaps? Horrors! One news story recounted the heart-rending tale ofa middle-class working mother who, having secured one child in day care, expected to be able to put her second chiid in the same facility and continue her career unimpeded by ‘epproved Oll, Lube & Fitter fully warrenty; 231 pt. Safety check, 15 minutes - FAST! inctudes up to 5 litres of 10W30 Quakerstaie a 1362 Marine Drive 980-9115 if Mon-Sat 8:00am-6:00pm, Sun. 9:00am-5:COpm Expires Sept 5709 J High Holiday Services Rosh Hashana - Yom Kippur Septembe> 10, 11, 12, 19, 20 1999 Tickets available at CONGREGATION HAR EL member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 1305 Taylor Way, West Van. Info: Sheila at 925-6488 ext. 223 or Larry 987-6265 402 West 1st Ave. Varicouver 872-722: wewratkatteck.com S SORA GRABED. S.LAURSEN & SON draperies & blinds Itd. i weww.sidrapesandblinds.com Custom Rods, Upholstery & Bedspreads (Ask about our Seniors Discount) For Free Estimate call 922-4975 or 987-2566 Deapery Labour $13.20 per panel lined. Low Low Faces motherhood. Alas, however, “the cost of Putting nvo toddlers at unsub- sidized rates in the ... child care centre crushed that dream.” The mother maintained that she loved parenting. But she also loved working. She loved the challenge of the working world, two incomes, adult company. Seck the nearest shoulder to cry on, readers, for without your help those diversions could be fast slipping through the grasp of middle-class par- ents everywhere. More personally satisfying, it seems, to be climbing the corporate ladder than to be doing the real grunt work of bringing up children and, uld- mately, turning out the build- ing blocks of a better Canadian society. Easier to leave that hassle to the government and put it on the bill of the already crimi- nally overtaxed Canadian pub- lic. Balls to that, say I. Nowhere in any of the sto- ries on the looming universal child care idiocy is there more than passing mention of the children who will be pawns at our already low prices on : F All In-stock P sorted 51 eer RC) ne Mtr aati. the heart of this program. What is their preference in all of this? Would they prefer to have government-funded day-care facilities raise them? Would they prefer to have both parents work all day then come home at night and try to be real parents to them? Would they preter to have their furure tax burden increased yet again to bankroll the assorted career aspirations of their parents and other adults while their upbringing takes a backseat? Ifyou believe government and the special interest groups that have its ear, register enthusiastic “yes sirs” to all of Sunday, August 29, 1999 — North Shure News — 7 ut of babysitting busi the above. They would have vou believe that parents, their chil- dren and Canadian society would all be better of Fit kids were farmed out to day cares; that the looming federal bud- get surplus of up to STB bil- lion would best be invested in a scheme thar will keep more money out of family wallets and thereby drive more par- ents into the work force and increase the demand for more subsidized day care. Meanwhile, parents who choose to invest the time and effort in raising their kids all day every day are penalized by government through inequitable taxation that allows ICBC HAS A TEAM OF LAWYERS, SHOULDN'T YOU? * All claims have time limits * Documents you sign can be used against you. Taylor & Blair BAARISTERS & SOLICITORS" 102-145 West 15th St. North Van ba : 983-4311 eat www.taylorandbiair.com & Graham Taylor FREE CONSULTATION Kevin Blair dered. og 0 #7 14” Wes 74.99 Thee 1799 Sh 2 65188 be Baudoir Mess day care expenses to be deducted from income bur fails to similarly secognize the work of stay-at-home parents. Universal child care is wrongheaded and ruinous. We don’t need Oteawa to babysit our kids. We need it tc apply gov- emment nurturing to the overtaxed and under-appreciat- ed Canadian family. — trenshaw@itirect.ca GET MORE BANG for your advertising buck. Call 878-4664 “ NATIVE JEWELLERY/ WepbpinG Rincs” 444 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver 988-9215 i coat with dlastic wore port. Cine soe Bea Carey Oa nanan BB no Carry Oa tannnte Xt ......000 ; satay Cosa enna one 14) Garment! Bag so}! niet new Tret ’ any ’ pte rege