In addition to debating the economy, environment, public prayer and abortion, candidates running for public office in Utah this year had better bone up on another big issue: the rights and needs of children.
The welfare of Utah's children might seem easy to address, with little disagreement from opponents. After all, what politician would say he or she doesn't want our children well fed, educated, healthy and safe?But potential government leaders need more than simple, sympathetic "Mom and apple pie" answers to issues involving children. Too many children are not well fed, educated, healthy or safe, and candidates should be formulating specific solutions to these problems.
The Utah Coalition for America's Children hopes to prod candidates to take children's issues seriously during this election year. The group of educators, parents, child advocates and medical personnel is part of a non-partisan national coalition trying to put children's issues in the forefront of national and local political debate.
Their point is clear and simple: Kids don't vote, but they need a political voice to protect their right to a happy and healthy childhood.
In Utah, that right appears to be slipping away. More than 10,000 children were victims of child abuse here last year, a 20 percent increase over the year before. Of the growing number of homeless in Utah, 221 last year were children. The child advocacy group Utah Children reports that about 100,000 children are not covered by health insurance. Of the 30,000 Utah children with severe emotional problems, only 10 percent are receiving community services, with perhaps another 1,000 getting private treatment. And the ratio of children to teachers in Utah is 49 percent higher than the national average.
With these statistics indicating not enough is being done in the interest of children, the coalition shouldn't be too optimistic about finding many candidates with something specific to say about helping children. But the hope of the coalition is that by forcing candidates to address the issue, the candidates will become aware of children's stake in government decisions, make it a top priority and start developing legislative remedies.
Certainly the welfare of children should be a top priority. Thirty-eight percent of Utah's population is younger than 18 years. And while economic development may provide future jobs for our children, they have immediate needs that must be met. The rights and interests of children should never be left out of a debate over funding human services, education, health care and safety.
The coalition will disband after the November election. But efforts to educate elected officials and other public servants about the needs of Utah's children should never stop.