🚀 go-pugleaf

August 25, 1998


Dear Fellow Moms & Dads:

I recently read the book 'The War Against Parents' in which Sylvia Hewlett and
Cornel West ask this question: Why are hundreds of thousands of American
children dangerous and millions more failing to thrive?   They say that one of
the best kept secrets of the last thirty years is that the economy, government
and the wider culture have waged a silent war against parents, undermining the
work that we do.  Some of the hostility has been inadvertent, and some of it
has been deliberate.

Too many children are being born without a skin - with none of the protective
armor that in the past was provided by parents and communities.  As a result,
many children have been left home alone to raise themselves on a thin and
cruel diet of junk food, gangster rap, and trash talk shows.

But whatever forces are responsible for the war against parents, one thing is
for sure: The key to the 21st century is the creation of an environment - in
every public school in this nation - that supports the work of America's 62
million parents.  Come to the virtual headquarters of <a
href="http://members.aol.com/pledgenow/appleseed/index.html">Project
Appleseed, the National Campaign for Public School Improvement</a>.  Join moms
and dads all across America as we create a better nation for our children
through the Parents' Bill of Rights:

THE PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS
America's Mothers and Fathers Are Entitled To:

1.  A SUPPORTIVE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
Quality Public Schools
Organized Parental Involvement in Public Schools
Public School Choice
Violence-Free Neighborhoods and Schools
Extended School Day and Year
Child Care
Family Health Coverage
Drug-Free Communities
Responsible Media
Project Appleseed As National Organizational Voice

2.  HONOR AND DIGNITY
An Index of Parent Well-Being
National Parental Involvement Day
Public School Volunteer Week
Parent Privileges and Discounts

3. TIME FOR THEIR CHILDREN
Paid Parenting Leave
Family-Friendly Workplaces
A Safety Net

4.  ECONOMIC SECURITY
A Living Wage
Job Opportunities
Tax Relief
Help With Housing

5.  A PRO-FAMILY ELECTORAL SYSTEM
Incentives To Vote
Votes For Children

6.  A PRO-FAMILY LEGAL STRUCTURE
Stronger Marriage
Support For Fathers
Adoption Assistance

When the voices of America's 62 million parents unite and grow into a roar,
parents will obtain the support they yearn for and so richly deserve.  I hope
that you will support <a
href="http://members.aol.com/pledgenow/appleseed/index.html">Project
Appleseed</a>,  a civic institution for the 21st century.

Very truly yours,

Kevin S. Walker
President & National Director
Project Appleseed
The National Campaign for Public School Improvement
appleseed@k12mail.com
http://members.aol.com/pledgenow/appleseed

P.S.  Join our campaign by becoming a supporter or member of Project Appleseed
by <a href="http://members.aol.com/pledgenow/appleseed/rights.html">clicking
on this link </a>and printing the letter and form!
(http://members.aol.com/pledgenow/appleseed/rights.html)