Quote:I can afford not to. Will all adults with kids? So people are just inherently better people now?

 

History can not be observed in a vacuum, let's face it the era of child labor is irrelevant do to innovation and the elimination of a need for cheap labor by machines. Just as the need for slave labor is irrelevant by innovation and the development of agriculture equipment in mass. 

 

Now do we want to argue the merits of child labor law in large? Or do you want to argue the need for child labor laws? Who has ever suggested there is no need for child labor laws?

 

You made the suggestion that those of us (probably myself most vocally) that advocate a reduced role from the state in the free market would bring back child labor and sweatshops (which the later still exist in behest of your lovely state). 

 

To bring it back full circle the topic at hand is should the state have or enforce the authority to FORCE a private business owner to pay for ANY leave for any period of time the state sets forth. Where is the constitutional authority for the government to play that role? Where is the moral authority for us to require the state play that role? I gave my personal experience as an example, I did not advocate then nor do I now that the state or anyone else use their authority over my employer. I put in my time, defined my skills, pursued an education, developed a craft, made myself marketable and took a position with his competition. THAT'S how the free market works. 

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