Candidates must not forget the children

I agree with the July 15 editorial, 'Federal candidates must go beyond partisanship.” One critical issue that has strong bipartisan support is child care, which is more expensive than housing for many Iowa families, according to a recent United Way report. Too many parents are struggling to provide their children with a safe, educational and nurturing environment while they go to work. I have worked in the early child care field for over 30 years, and I have seen the difference quality child care makes for the child and the parents.

Republicans and Democrats agree that investing in early childhood education, including child care, is worth it. In fact, 74 percent of participants in a recent Save the Children Action Network poll in Iowa said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who would change how state-funded child care assistance works and end the strict income cutoff to benefits.

The federal government and our state leaders must do more to invest in children and families. In doing so, they would invest in our state's current and future workforce. I encourage all congressional candidates to discuss how they would help families afford quality child care.

Children may be a quarter of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future.

Cathy Meyer

Cedar Rapids