Shocking State of Children’s Plight
I am outraged by the statistics cited in “Children’s Champion” (Oct. 11): Marian Wright Edelman, a powerful Washington lobbyist has been advocating children’s rights for 20 years. The situation in California--where more than half of all 2-year-olds are inadequately immunized, between 10% and 25% of the infants born in public hospitals have been exposed to illegal drugs, one in five live below the poverty line and the teen-age pregnancy rate is the highest in the United States--highlights what appears to be a widespread national indifference to the plight of our children and the need for more advocates like Edelman.
If the plight of our children is to be ameliorated, the party, faction and agency squabbles must stop. Health care agencies, educators, social workers, law enforcement agencies and legislators must work together.
Our responsibilities to our children do not end at birth. We may have to pay the price of a better future for them in higher taxes and more commitment to their welfare, but if we continue to deprive them, we will deprive America of its most precious asset--strong, compassionate, able and informed citizens.
FIONA D. KELLY
Cardiff
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