Sept. 1, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette:
We can no longer stand by and watch the senseless killings of our children. We seem to totally disregard their humanity. Funding for human service programs that furnished hungry children school breakfasts, provided them with needed health care and safe housing has been drastically cut. The pillars of their education have been weakened by senseless excuses and indifference. Their future wellbeing robbed due to self-interest, power seekers, and cowards. What does the way we treat our children say about us as a nation? As a people?
A president who mocks, belittles, and seeks revenge does not model the character we want to instill in our youth. The hypocrisy of a Congress who acknowledges children as our future, but refuses to tighten gun regulations or enact preventive measures to protect them in schools, homes, and public places.
Anti-abortion laws to protect the fetus are quickly passed while laws to sustain families and their children are not deemed important. Tell me why the same voices that claim to be “pro-life” fail to invest in the actual lives of children once they are born.
Why are children not valued more in our nation? Why? Could it be because children can’t vote. They have no voice.
But we do!
Parents, grandparents, teachers, community leaders, ministers, legislators — even our president — have the power to stand up, speak out, and become active advocates for the safety of young people. Standing up for children means seeing their humanity. Standing up for children means safeguarding their lives. Standing up for children means identifying instances of injustice, demanding accountability, and establishing systems that support their wellbeing. Standing up for children means caring enough. DANTATHOMPSON Buena Vista
