Show of Hands

Gingrich is the only one who can realistically beat Obama!

I speak for most of the kids in CT, WE NEED JOBS!!! (I'm from CT I lived in FL)

Sounds acceptable to me... But I don't think kids under 16 should NEED or want jobs. We should be helping get their parents jobs so they can just be kids fir another year or so!

...and syphon work from people who desperately need it? This isn't the right economy for that.

Do we really think it is a good idea for a 15 year old (or younger), to work with strong chemicals? You need more than Scrubbing Bubbles when cleaning a school.

In addition to the safety issue, I have to think kids allowed to do this would be picked on by peers horribly.

Yes because it gives the kids who have nothing to earn something for themselves instead of pointlessly waiting to turn 16

Yes, & in San Francisco they can make $10.24 an hour.

Hey Katy- you are the reason unemployment is stubbornly high. You and people like you think certain jobs are beneath you. You'd rather sit around collecting unemployment checks rather than do some real work.

They should do that for the special Ed kids.

Have any of you hired any 16 year olds to do manual labor? All they do is stand around and waste time until their shift is over. Our schools would go to hell.

I'm already doing that for free so yes!

$$$

Have you been inside a high school bathroom, not something i'd do for any amount of money!

Only a idiot who has had brain surgery would think this is a good idea.

Talk to the school boards if you want kids to work for the schools

child labor laws do not need to be changed unless you want kids 12 years old and younger to work. There is nothing in the law that prevents 13 year olds and up from working as long as the job isn't deemed to be hazardous, the hours are limited, and they are paid a fair wage.

Modern- I took AP, worked, and was in clubs. Fit straight A's senior year of high school too. Only made a couple hundred, but got scholarships. It taught me balance. Why can't other kids?
(ps I started working at 13 for my mom. Worked 40 hr weeks in summer for the $. Still got great grades)

It's a good idea. It's not a "sweatshop" or dangerous or whatever. I've done it, it's not hard. It'd let kids earn some money. You know how my dad afforded school lunch? Working in the cafeteria. Before that, the school janitorial staff.
Plus it'd teach the kids responsibility and how to clean.

It is not a good idea cause it is hypocritical to the us ideas of child labor that we look down on other countries for.

You know this is a good idea. But because Newt said it Dems hate it. If this was an Obama idea, Repubs would poo on it.

Bottom line: it's a good idea.

Why not? I don't see any good arguments against it. Kids learn to work hard, earn a bit of money, and the already existing janitor gets a helper.

Having a paid job a few hours a week plus doing well in school teaches positive work ethic and good organizational skills.

modernrock who says that kids with jobs don't get good grades, mine do and take AP/IB classes

Wouldn't they be taking jobs away from their parents? (Latinos)

Here's a novel idea: how about they learn to work hard in school, get good grades and take AP classes and get thousands in scholarship money rather than making a couple hundred dollars each year. Newt Gingrich is just...irritating! The GOP will make the biggest mistake if they nominate him...

are you people afraid that a kid working 2-6 hours a week making minimum wage I'd going to take someone's job? God forbid a kid gets a little work ethic, learns a bit and gets some cash. Jeeze didn't any of you mow lawns or babysit as kids or was everything just handed to you?

I say why not? It's not like it's forced labor, if they want to work then why stop them? I live in a town where there aren't many jobs for teenagers and I know plenty who would love to have the extra money for letterman jackets or class rings.

I'm in high school,and I say no. give it to the janitorial services and lunch ladies who actually deserve it.

Besides it teaches you that not every little thing you do you get paid for. Do it too do it! People expect money or something for everything they do

Why? I'm 15 and think not! I mean at our school we have student janitor aids (that do a heck a lot more then the janitors do) and they don't get paid it's just a 1/2 credit.

There are schools that already do this... I believe I saw it in Stossel's 'Stupid in America'

Of anything, make it a requirement to serve either serve in the armed forces or the peace corps. We would be one stronger country if this was legally institutionalized.

Dumbest. Idea. Ever. That's why schools hire janitors, people who actual work for a living. If students were to drop out to work I'd be all for this. Yet, if it is the will of the people to further retard society then so be it.

I think tweens should work & volunteer at that age but not get paid. I was in softball and we had to clean & maintain the softball field & it made us proud to receive the best field in the district award. You don't have to make Tweens get jobs to keep them out of trouble. There are sports...

Why not allow teens to wk of they choose, where ever? Enough current laws & news coverage to protect them.

If these laws were changed, then maybe these unkempt occupy people would know how to clean up after them selves! They would also have a job and not feel the need to hang out and smoke pot...

@ INDPNDNT. Well said

Why the hell not?

We're already doing it at my school.

But it's ok for Obama?

Laws shouldn't change just because Newt wants them to.

For some kids, especially in low-income areas, they need a job just to help support their families or pay for things they need. It would be a benefit to the school system and the students.

Why not? They need a job, and cleaning up after themselves is good practice for home and life as an adult.

I was 15 shoveling trash into a boiler.
I learned the value of hard work.
I do ok now.

Why do so many libs think working is somehow degrading or shameful?
Besides, so what if some idiot rich kid makes fun of a working kid?
A little adversity builds character.

I love it when people from my state say completely moronic things. Especially when it's nothing but party-line vitriol. Makes me so proud of my state. *sigh*

Anyone who is actually intelligent and NOT registered as an independent is doing this country, and their party of choice, a huge disservice.

Why don't you just tattoo "Target" on the kid's forehead and take bets on how long it takes before they get their ass kicked or commit suicide. PLEASE say you're kidding.

Yeah lets make all the poors clean up after my kids! Then they'll fit in even less and take jobs from adults.

Why not? They can learn how to work hard and feel like they actually earned their money.

No- sanitation is a serious matter at schools and lacking enough as it is, laws should not become more lax in this area. My daughter brought home lice from her school and I was informed it is a yearly issue in our local school. Having seen the janitor at work there is no surprise there.