"Even though lack of funds is the main problem, the government cannot just pay its way out of this predicament."PA

"The leaders of this country must cut through the bureaucratic red tape and provide legislation to insure the funds needed to provide for these at-risk youth today than to pay for their stay at correctional centers in the future. The future is truly in their hands, and it is one worth fighting for America can't let her brightest fire, the youth of this country, be snuffed out. America has always risen up and conquered the problems that lie before her. And she will again. OK

"State and local governments, religious organizations, employers and parents have tried to meet the increasing demands for better child care. But obviously it is something they cannot do without the government's help. Only the government has the money to create a versatile child care system so all parents can incorporate family life and working life into a healthy balance. . .While other nations have already paved a road for their youth, our nation hasn't even finished constructing one." PA

"In conclusion, I would strongly urge our federal government to set up better guidelines for day care programs. Offer some grants or subsidies to assist businesses in setting up a day care program in the office. Give some tax credits to less financially able parties so they might afford better day care for their children. Review the requirements to open a day care center. Let's get the centers into the hands of qualified and trained people instead of many home care providers that have little or no skills to day anything else." NE

"In conclusion, I think that the people should not put their child care worries on the shoulders of others simply because they are too lazy to work for a living. I also feel that standards for child care should be improved for those that pay for it because it isn't fair for some middle class families to be overburdened with the expense of child care when some are not. It would be a very good idea for the government to think about the problems they are creating and move cautiously because once the decisions are made, they are hard to change." ND

"In conclusion, we the people of the United States have an innate power invested in us called the vote. With that power we will be able to make better day care come about and also solve the above mentioned problems. Thus we will also be able to bring about a safe and qualified day care that will not only give our children a place to stay but also give us peace of mind." FL

"In conclusion, I would like to say that I have learned a great deal of information about this growing controversy. If children are living in homes where one parent works or both parents work, then they are most likely in need of child care. More child care programs are in need and people with more than three children should receive tax breaks, because they need more money for child care. It is also essential that one parent be encouraged to stay home with his or her child under the age of six if at all possible. After all, a parent's care is the best care of all. It would also be of great assistance to people who receive welfare to have the government pay total child care for them then they could save their earnings and possibly be weaned from government support." NE

"The America I envision in the future is a technological leader, a place where an emphasis is placed on the home, a place where government intervention is looked upon with scorn, and above all a place where education of a child is above any other object, including material wealth. Any bills causing mandatory day care would lead us away from that future. The future now begins in the hands of every parent in America." IN

"The American people seem to be in a spending trap that they can not get out of. Maybe we young leaders of tomorrow will find a way, but we must get involved. We must make an effort to participate in voting and maybe run for public office ourselves. As a generation what we do will reflect back on America in the 90s. This is our search and we must help to find a solution for the good of our children. Are we up to the task?" TX

"The whole thing is being dumped on the government's lap and it shouldn't be. This is not only their problem and if we, as a nation, work together, the problem could be solved. The government and nation should never give up on this dilemma until it is solved. If that means long hours of hard work, then that is what should be done. As a United States citizen, I would like my country to be a better place not only for me, but for the others living in this country. Let us hope that we can work this out in the near future and do what should be done." PA

"Everyone wants to help other people to become successful in life, and success begins from childhood. The government should not hand out money expecting people to already know how to manage it . . .people would not be in such a . . . crisis if they did know (how to manage money) . . .In order to exclude a great amount of government welfare expenses, the government could set up a loan system for people in need. Tyhe borrower would have to pay back exactly what he or she borrowed. . .This system would have to be limited and require proof that the borrower is tyrying his or her best to gain financial stability. Why not let the government work with people instead of for them?" OR

"The government can help, but not by administering more rules and bureaucratic red tape. The best way to bring a solution within reach is to attract better care providers, offer incentives for businesses to get involved, and gradually reawaken the moralistic values of the family. . .The government could help by giving grants and tax cuts to providers. it could pay in part for basic supplies and food. Free courses and programs could be offered to make a good care giver great. Instead of driving providers out of business, the government should help current workers and attract new ones. . .Care givers can help by nurturing children and simulating the family environment. Parents can help by giving their kids as much love as possible in their wonderful special time together. Businesses can help by making children more accessible to their parents. Government can help by giving more aid to care providers."OH

"To solve the child care problem it will require a partnership between the local, state and federal government as well as employer and private charities." FL

"The solution to child care is not a one idea solution but a problem that contains many factors which will take the society as a whole to solve it." OH

"Up until now, we as a nation of individuals have done very little to improve child care for our children. Instead, we have chosen to avoid the problem we clearly need to solve on our own. Government has done its part; let's do ours." OR

A Couple Leaders Of Tomorrow Considered And Ruled "There Is No Problem"...

The need for child care regulation is nil, and the costs of such a program would far outweigh any benefits. Those families that can afford the professional care should utilize those programs, while the tax benefits to higher income families should be deferred to those in the middle class range. Let's put this issue aside and take care of the much more urgent and toxic problems that face our society."OR

"In conclusion, although some believe that government, at both the state and federal level, should take a larger role in providing child care, this is not the case. The loss of parental control, the high cost, and the effect it would have on the birth rate clearly outweigh any possible benefits from government-sponsored child care. Except for new legislation such as I have described, then, the role of government in child care in America should not be changed significantly." CA

One Student Gave An Answer Worthy Of The Most Polished Politician . . .

"We must strive to help those who are having financial trouble, yet we can not unfairly burden those who have reached financial security. We must be careful in the formation of governmental acts and make sure that these proposals are fair to the nation's citizens as a whole . . .I feel that the government's role regarding childcare should be to provide what they can to those who need it. . .So the tax must be enough to help but not so demanding from the people that it hurts." MD