The audio has been restarted. This reminds us once again of J.D. Vance's bizarre obsession with Americans who choose not to have children.
During a 2021 forum held by the Center for Christian Virtue, Vance attacked Democratic leaders and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten for not having children and accused them of “brainwashing” students.
When Vance responded to a question about the state’s “backpack” bill, which would expand tax-funded scholarships to private schools and homeschooled students in grades K-12, he took the opportunity to express his disdain for people who don’t have children. “A lot of the leaders on the left, and I hate to get too personal about this, but they’re people who don’t have children who are trying to brainwash our children,” said Vance, then an Ohio state Senate candidate. “And that really confuses me, and it really bothers me. Randi Weingarten, who heads the most powerful teachers union in the country, doesn’t have a single child. If she wants to brainwash children and destroy their minds, she should have some of her own children and leave our minds alone.”
Weingarten, who with the union supports radical ideas such as promoting literacy, mental health and free school meals, slammed Vance’s comments on Tuesday. “Disgusting! JD Vance’s comments are sad and offensive to millions of modern families and school teachers including Catholic nuns, none of whom should be targeted for their family decisions.” books Weingarten on X.
Former US Vice President Hillary Clinton has received sharp criticism for complaining that America is run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are unhappy with their lives and the choices they've made,” a reference to Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris, who has two children with her ex-husband Doug Emhoff.
Vance also floated the idea of punishing childless Americans with higher taxes, and that parents should get extra votes on behalf of their children to have more influence in elections.
As I mentioned before Rolling Stone, Vance called on the right to “go to war against the anti-child ideology that exists in our country” and argued that a nationwide abortion ban was necessary to prevent people seeking abortions from crossing state lines.
But while the Republican vice presidential nominee wants to appear pro-natalist and pro-family, he has consistently opposed policies aimed at making it easier financially for Americans to become parents.
In 2021, Vance tweeted, “Universal child care is class warfare against ordinary people,” and during his 2022 campaign, he opposed President Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” legislation, which included provisions to reauthorize the expanded child tax credit, provide paid family leave, and provide universal pre-K.
As a senator, Vance voted against legislation that would help codify the right to fertility treatments and artificial insemination.
