Floyd's Opinion

I made this speech before a General Assembly committee in 1992.

Submitted by: Floyd C. Bayne

December 11, 1992

Senator Walker, members of the committee, citizens of the Commonwealth,

I stand before you today as a tax-paying, voting citizen of this Commonwealth. A citizen concerned about the direction our State government is leading us in. And finally, I am here as a father of two beautiful children.

I find myself, once again, moved to speak out against more mindless legislation that has been put before us as yet another effort to protect us from ourselves. I have no illusions as to the effect that my words may have on those of you on the committee, yet honor, duty, and the love of my children demand that I do, indeed, speak out.

I am sorry that I have no major money-making organization to sponsor me and I apologize for not making large contributions to the campaigns of any on the committee, but as a tax-payer and a registered voter I still hold to the idealistic hope that common sense may yet prevail.

WHY ARE WE BEING SUBJECTED, ONCE AGAIN, TO MORE NEEDLESS LEGISLATION!? WHY IS THE STATE, ONCE AGAIN, STEPPING IN TO TELL PARENTS THAT THEY, THE STATE, ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN THAN WE, THE PARENTS!?

I have received literature from the Department of Social Services outlining it’s wants and desires regarding the proposed child-care legislation. After reading over it at least twice I have yet to see why this must be enacted into law. On page one under the heading, "Council’s Mission Statement, Goals and Roles & Responsibilities", they list, under "Mission Statement": "To foster the protection and development of children in AFFORDABLE, AVAILABLE, accessible child care..."

Now I wish to ask those here today, on the committee and in this chamber, "When was the last time the government did anything that was affordable to the average wage-earner in this state!?" You and I both know full well that any time the government gets involved in anything it creates a bureaucratic boon-doggle that is inefficient, costly and anything but effective.

My wife and I both have to work full-time jobs to meet our family needs and wants. We would both like for my wife to stay home and raise our two children on a full-time basis. However, this is not possible as one salary cannot support our needs. Because our state and federal government see fit to levy higher and higher taxes on the working people of this state it is ever more necessary for both parents to work to afford the necessities of life. Now we must add to those taxes the cost of child-care. As if this cost were not high enough now the state wants to get involved and cause costs to even higher. If our government were to stop taxing us into oblivion perhaps one income could support a family. WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END!?

Under "Mission Statement" it continues: "...through reasonable regulations, ..." Again I ask you, "The government? Reasonable? I challenge each of you here and now to come forward with just one government program that has worked to the benefit of the employed, working men and women of this state.

Another booklet is titled, "Children, Virginia’s Greatest Resource", I found this title somewhat ironic given our government’s desire to regulate and meddle with every aspect of our daily live’s. Where do the parents fit in? Why must we turn over the responsibility for our children’s welfare to the state?

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP THE PARENT’S OF VIRGINIA’S GREATEST RESOURCE!? I have a suggestion, "How about leaving us alone and letting us decide where our children will and will not be safe?" A second suggestion, "How about lowering taxes so that two full-time incomes are not a necessity, but an option!?"

My two children are taken care of by a "baby-sitter. A woman who stays at home and takes care of her children as well as those of three other families. My wife and I interviewed her, checked her references, visited her home/neighborhood, and finally ran a criminal background check on her. All this we did with no urging from the state or the Department of Social Services. All this we did to assure, as best we can, the safety and health of our children. You see, we love our children more than the state ever will. THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT’S, NOT THE STATE!!

I could take up many more pages and much more time with reasons why this legislation is a bad idea, but if you haven’t gotten the point by now it is not likely that you will. I think it is important that you understand that I believe very strongly in personal liberty and freedom of choice. I am angry as I watch our own government take away our liberties on a daily basis. Now you want to regulate our children’s daily affairs. THIS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN! The citizens of Virginia must stand up now and demand that any legislation that regulates our freedom of choice is bad legislation and should not be tolerated!

Political correctness may give you a warm-fuzzy feeling inside, but it never translates into good legislation. I, for one, will continue to fight against this madness of government run amuck. I only pray that common sense and right reason will prevail.

Thank you for your time and God save the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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