. . .the government which is based on and formed by the Constitution has an obligation to the people whom it governs, as defined by the preamble, to do all within its power to assail any problem disturbing the 'general welfare' or upsetting 'domestic tranquility' of society. Today, this problem happens to be the issue of child care."PA

"The preamble of the Constitution of the United States of America states that the Constitution was established to promote the general welfare of the poeple and their posterity. Child care helps promote the general welfare of our people and their children and, therefore, should be included as one of the duties of the U.S. government." OH

"The U.S. does, in fact, have a mixed economy in which the socialist idea of government providing for the people is present in the American welfare program. This principle coincides with the Constituition's stated intent in the Preamble 'to provide for the general welfare.' . . .The present capitalistic approach to childcare is ludicrous. It is a much needed service in modern society and cannot be reserved only for those who can 'comfortably' afford childcare as if it were superfluous. The government's role in childcare entails the restriction of rates nationwide so that it is affordable to those that are in demand of this service, the passage of legislation for those extensive employing companies to provide in-building childcare services, across the board establishment of after school 'recreation' programs, and a possible revamping of the welfare system which could make use of the high schools. In making such provisions, the government would therby 'promote general welfare' in the sense that the level of security among children in our unstable society is achieved so that they and their parents can attain the 'self-actualization' of the American dream." VA

"According to Article I, Section 8 Clause 18, Congress has the power 'to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. . . .' This clause is referred to as the 'elastic clause', for it enables the government to make laws which are for the common good of the people, though they are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution. . . .Congress has begun to realize that having two working parents, or a single working parent, is a 'fact of life' for most children. Therefore, according to the Preamble and the Elastic Clause, the government is partially responsible, and also empowered, to pass laws which would benefit the children and their working parents." NY

"Clearly, the government of this country has a responsibility to take care of its children. One of the reasons stated by the Constitution for the existence of the government it created was, 'to promote the general welfare.'" IL

"Child care is not mentioned in the Constitution of the United States, therefore, it is not considered a national responsibility." FL

"Government is in no way obligated by the Constitution to provide a system of public childcare for any reason, but it is obligated to serve the needs of the citizens of this country and its democracy. It is this system of citizens needs and the governments ability to meet these needs that creates the necessity of a government operated childcare system." TN

"Our early leaders established that our democratic form of government and our constitution should uphold and promote the general welfare to all future generations of Americans. Yet, today opposing groups argue over whether the government should take any action in one of this countries most pressing problems--child care. Does our government not have a moral obligation to promote the general welfare of our children?" TX

"Our government has the responsibility to preserve and protect its citizens. The preamble to our constitution explains that duty completely, '...to promote the general welfare,' and if this is a society where children do not matter, we might as well let all of these great documents crumble to dust, for without children, we have no future. . .the government has a clear and defined obligation to support its citizens." TX

"The United States government role concerning child care is not defined in the Constitution at all. When the Constitution was ratified (approved) i 1788, women did not play an active role in society outside the home; therefore, there was no need for federally funded child care systems as there is today." AL

"As stated in the Preamble to the Constitution, one of the purposes of our government is to "promote the general welfare" of the people. . .What better way for our government to show that it does what is best for the people than for it to provide a free child care program for working mothers?" AL

"The role of the government is to help satisfy people's needs and concerns. This is stated in the Constitution." AL

"How important are our children? In the Constitution it says that the United States is a country by the people, of the people and for the people. Doesn't that include our children?" AL

"According to the laws which govern our country, the government has the responsibility to promote the general welfare of the people. If doing so means providing a child care program for the nation, then the U.S. government must do so."PA

Other students cite the Constitution when arguing against a large government role. . .

"The Constitution did not put limits on the freedom of the people; it put limits on the government's freedom and rights. The government outlined in the Constitution of this United States was never intended to support the people of this nation, but rather to represent them and be supported by them. This is a democratic republic, not a socialistic state, and we should not let Congress forget that. When we begin dividing the wealth of the nation in the ways which have been proposed, we remove the incentive to succeed. If one can live just as well, or even comparably well by not working, and not giving one's children the close personal attention they deserve, why should one strive so hard not to be much better off? Without incentive, progress will be hindered, and this country will become stagnant." OK

"In the end, it is best for the children to be either in private homes, with relatives, or with day care profesionals chosen by the parents. This is imperative if America is to continue on the principles outlined in the Constitution. . .Americans pride themselves on their individualism. If we are to keep this, our children must be free to learn the religious and ethnic customs their parents value. For this reason, federal child care is an undesirable solution to this complex problem." OH

"The government need not run to someone's rescue everytime he is in trouble. We should allow each person the chance either to succeed or fail. The Constituion is based upon this idea of individual success or failure." OK

"As for the federal government's role in child care, they should have absolutely nothing to do with it because they are controlled by the Constitution and child care is not one of its responsibilities." NE

"Child care is not mentioned in the Constitution of the United States, therefore, it is not considered a national responsibility." FL

"The U.S. was built on the fact of free enterprise and the fact we can make our own decisions. Making our own decisions means taking the responsibility for them." OK