If you want something done right, then you have to do it yourself, so when an 8 year old girl decided she wanted a state lawmaker to drop a bill linking academic performance to welfare benefits, she did it herself. In the end, the 8 year old won out and the lawmaker dropped the bill.
While in route to a vote on Thursday, with cameras rolling, state Senator Stacey Campfield (R) was faced with 8 year old Aamira Fetuga, who offered Campfield a petition signed by Tennesseans who oppose his welfare bill. Other activists gathered nearby shouted “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
“You are so weak, to not listen to a child,” a parent scolded Campfield as he walked away with the girl following closely behind.
“Why do you want to cut benefits for people?” 8-year-old Fetuga asked after she caught up with him on a Capitol escalator.
“Well, I wouldn’t as long as the parent shows up to school and goes to two parent-teacher conferences and they’re exempt,” the state Senator explained.
The uncomfortable back and forth conversation between Campfield and the 8 year old continued as they walked together.
“Using children as props is shameful,” he could be heard mumbling at one point.
Approve of the tactic or not, it may’ve worked considering that Campfield withdrew the bill before Thursday’s vote after several other former supporters began to express doubts.
*Watch the video of change in action. We all have a voice & need to use it
*We reported this about a month ago how Tennessee Senator Stacey Campfield (R) wanted to link welfare to children’s grades. Follow the whole story here.
http://www.digitalafro.com/gop-lawmaker-wants-to-tie-welfare-benefits-to-childrens-grades/