Workers in Diapers

It is well established that far too many citizens have been convinced by conservatives that illegal immigrants are stealing jobs from hard-working red-blooded Americans. That's why sealing our borders can be considered "job creation" legislation. Of course, it rarely is mentioned that most of the jobs these illegal immigrants perform are the kind that no hard-working red-blooded American would accept, but them's just pesky details.

I recently learned that one Missouri state lawmaker tried to stand up for a segment of the hard-working red-blooded American workforce that too many other legislators neglect: children. Understanding the strong need to put Americans back to work, Rep. Jane Cunningham (R) proposed a bill -- sadly, it died in committee -- that would remove prohibitions from state law concerning the employment of children!!

Current Bill Summary

SB 222 – This act modifies the child labor laws. It eliminates the prohibition on employment of children under age fourteen. Restrictions on the number of hours and restrictions on when a child may work during the day are also removed. It also repeals the requirement that a child ages fourteen or fifteen obtain a work certificate or work permit in order to be employed. Children under sixteen will also be allowed to work in any capacity in a motel, resort or hotel where sleeping accommodations are furnished. It also removes the authority of the director of the Division of Labor Standards to inspect employers who employ children and to require them to keep certain records for children they employ. It also repeals the presumption that the presence of a child in a workplace is evidence of employment.

With the true unemployment rate for adults somewhere between 9 - 22%, Cunningham's brainstorm conceivably could have jacked up that rate a few points higher. Who says that conservatives aren't concerned about average American families?