1. Posted by Delphine on Tue, Feb 05, 2008, 12:50 pm PST

My thoughts exactly, and this is why we will vote the democrat ticket.

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2. Posted by americanFraulein on Tue, Feb 05, 2008, 3:37 pm PST

s,ndmns,mdns,ndv

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3. Posted by bignosemonkeydog on Wed, Feb 06, 2008, 9:58 am PST

"A good president is like a good parent" That statement says it all. Respectfully, you might rething the role of government.

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4. Posted by Chalest on Wed, Feb 06, 2008, 11:02 am PST

that is good cause parents need to be behind there child 100% of the way.

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5. Posted by Tom on Thu, Feb 07, 2008, 7:32 am PST

For an obvious lefty, most of your suggestions are pretty good. What do you think of parents who bring their children to political protests and get them involved in 'protesting' when they can not be mature or knowledgeable enough to understand the issues and the complexity involved? Are these parents engaging in 'child abuse' by using them as shields to hide behind? Are they knowingly brainwashing their kids or are they trying to educate them - my guess is they are often brainwashing their kids, rather than educating them. Isn't this child abuse if they are doing knowingly?

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6. Posted by colagid on Thu, Feb 07, 2008, 10:57 am PST

This is the first blog comment I have ever left, but the article stirred me to write. It is a week of firsts for me as I participated in the Colorado Caucus on Tuesday. It was very empowering to see 99 of my neighbors get together to debate the merits of Obama and Clinton. There was no bashing of either, but a great passionate discussion as to why each would be the better candidate. That is what democracy is all about and why I love this country. I came home from the caucus and my 9-year old daughter asked my how it went. I told her that 81 citizens voted for Obama, while 18 voted for Clinton. She, and I, were both happy with the outcome. I hope to bring her to the next caucus so she can witness democracy in action!

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7. Posted by emh on Thu, Feb 07, 2008, 12:59 pm PST

Joining the process is not exactly the top priority we should be looking for in electing a president.

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8. Posted by colagid on Fri, Feb 08, 2008, 11:36 am PST

I disagree with emh. Getting more people in the process is exactly how we elect a president. If the usual presidential election attracts less than 50% of registered voters, getting a greater number of voters to the polls will be empowering to citizens and demonstrates their commitment to the democratic process.

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9. Posted by mulerider24 on Sat, Feb 09, 2008, 8:31 am PST

I agree with the basic premise of this article. Politics definitely shapes the world we leave for each generation. However, I will adhere to the strategy employed by my parents when I first took an interest in the political process - we'll call it a quasi-devil's advocate approach. They didn't just shoehorn their beliefs down my throat, but rather allowed me to form my own identity by playing the opposite side of my position, no matter the issue. That forced me to think for myself and put significant analysis behind my convictions. Most parents are more interested in creating a new voting bloc of thier respective parties through their offspring. I don't plan to make that same mistake. Also, using my parent's method I would obviously have to address your final paragraph regarding Obama's ability to inspire people to join the process and give them hope. If that is the fundamental reason for deciding your vote, what would prevent you from voting for Tony Robbins if he was running? That seems like a rather shallow style over substance criteria. And if, by chance, a candidate came along next election that was a lesser skilled orator, would you then change your requirements to fit a new candidate? I realize your intent was not to dive deep into the political spectrum, but I would rather teach my child a process that caters to his/her principles, which are less fluid in nature.

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10. Posted by Dawn S on Sun, Feb 10, 2008, 7:59 am PST

This comment is directed to the person who wrote it, {KEEP ON WRITING, SPEAKING, AND TEACHING, BECAUSE I'M IN YOUR CORNER 100%. PEACE, LOVE, and HOPE!!!} GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!

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11. Posted by whirlingwhitewind on Sun, Feb 10, 2008, 6:12 pm PST

Good article! Last year I participated in a number of demonstrations. My daughter did too. She understood what it was about and wanted to join in. It also gave me the chance to talk about how fortunate we are to live in a country where we CAN demonstrate, where people who feel strongly about something can take action and speak out, and get results. We also had elections, and I talked about that process with her as well. Sometimes when I question something, I will tell her about it, and what I do - whether it is a letter to the editor, her teacher at school, or an issue with a friend. I want her to understand that she can and should ask questions of anyone, and where she has the ability to do something, it is as much a responsibility as a right.

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12. Posted by gcg6813 on Sun, Feb 17, 2008, 8:29 am PST

Are you a pediatrician or a lobbyist. I just added your pediatrician advice to my homepage but I will now be deleting it after reading this. Leave your political preferences at the door. I agree with teaching children but I dont want to read about if from a so called doctor.

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13. Posted by Maggie on Tue, Feb 19, 2008, 2:26 pm PST

I have trouble believing that endorsing a candidate is appropriate in a blog about being the kind of parent that a acts as a good leader for their children.

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14. Posted by libertygirl81 on Thu, Feb 21, 2008, 12:50 pm PST

Nicely written ... right up to the point where you endorsed a candidate. Leave your leftist advocacy off the parenting blog, please. Being a good parent doesn't have to mean voting democrat.

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15. Posted by cynthia s on Fri, Feb 22, 2008, 9:55 am PST

Thank you for your insights on parenting and politics. I believe that you are correct. I would add that a parent must also show their child(ren) how to be a productive part of their community by voting, attending local board meetings, exercising our Right to Free Speech, etc.

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