Air Date 10/7/2023 Spanning the gamut of terrible policy choices and their impacts on children, we look today at the perverse reality at odds with conservatives' claim to be standing up for "family values" and saving children from the abuse of Democrats. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! Related Episodes: #1479 Torturing Children and Families in the Name of Protecting Them (Trans Rights) #1563 Putting Our Kids to Work for Corporate Profits SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: What "Parents' Rights" REALLY Means - Zoe Bee - Air Date 9-26-23 "Parents' Rights" has been a rallying cry for several political and social groups in the past few years. But what does it really mean? Let's find out. Ch. 2: Child poverty increases sharply following expiration of expanded tax credit - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 9-12-23 In 2021, as the economy reeled from the pandemic, a one-year expansion of the child tax credit led to a historic 46 percent decline in the child poverty rate. But new census data shows a dramatic reversal with the rate of children in poverty skyrocketing Ch. 3: Why Child Labor in America is Skyrocketing - Robert Reich - Air Date 5-16-23 Corporations are now using the “labor shortage” as an excuse to bring back child labor. It’s part of a horrifying trend: Since 2015, child labor violations have risen nearly 300%. Ch. 4: America First 2.0 & A Defense of Child Marriage - Head in the Office - Air Date 4-19-23 The boys highlight a slurry of bad news coming from states like Florida and Ohio, the Missouri GOP defends child marriage, a GOP presidential contender drops a 25 point plan for America First 2.0, many people might lose Medicaid Ch. 5: Having A Baby In America – SOME MORE NEWS - Air Date 9-27-23 Conservatives sure want Americans to have more children, but they don't seem to like children at all or want to support them in society! In today's episode, we look at the many challenges Americans face if they want to become parents Ch. 6: How Inequality Fuels Child Abuse - One in Ten - Air Date 9-5-23 How do we come alongside and stand with families in poverty who are struggling with child abuse and neglect? How do we examine our own policies and procedures to ensure that we’re being genuinely helpful and not just adding to families’ burdens? Ch. 7: Sen. Booker blasts GOP: ‘Morally obscenity’ of child poverty is a ‘policy choice’ - All In with Chris Hayes - Air Date 9-13-23 Sen. Cory Booker on the child poverty rate doubling after Republicans let the expanded child tax credit expire: “We have now proved something pretty phenomenal and at the same time, pretty obscene. MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: Why It Sucks To Be Young - Andrewism - Air Date 2-3-21 We don't talk enough about how our society treats young people and children. Let's change that. Ch. 9: We Uncovered the Shocking Plot to Eradicate Public Schools in America - More Perfect Union - Air Date 10-2-23 Leaked videos and recordings uncovered by investigative watchdog Documented expose the Alliance Defending Freedom’s plot to wipe out public schools in America. Their goal is to take down the entire system of education FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on the article that inspired today's episode and more examples of abusing children through policy New MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com