The two presidential candidates may not be separated by much in the polls, but they’re miles apart when it comes to most policy issues. [Tuesday], the Trump campaign unveiled a pro-family revamp to the tax code that goes beyond any policy initiative that we’ve seen in years. At a meeting outside Philadelphia [Tuesday] night, Donald Trump proved that he understands the challenges of moms with young children by unveiling a proposal that will give families the flexibility they need to care for their own kids.

Spurred on by daughter Ivanka, a successful businesswoman in her own right, Trump set out to show that he has a lot more to offer than the competition in relieving at least some of the burdens parents shoulder in providing for their children. Believe it or not, Ivanka points out in a thoughtful op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, almost two-thirds of moms with kids under the age of six are working outside the home. “And the majority of these women,” she explains, “work in low-paying jobs without flexibility or benefits.”

Her dad aims to change all of that, as he rolls out a new tax proposal that doesn’t just help moms who work outside the home but their stay-at-home counterparts. For years, liberals have implied that moms who sacrifice and care for their kids themselves are somehow less valuable than moms who work for pay. Donald Trump’s plan raises an important point: Why does the tax code have to take sides at all? Why not give parents the ability to decide what’s best for their own family? Government doesn’t know best — and it certainly doesn’t do best when it comes to children. As far as the Trumps are concerned, the child care system is “too expensive, too outdated, and too inaccessible.”

Fleshing out some ideas that he’s mentioned along the trail, the GOP nominee would rewrite the tax code, giving parents the chance to deduct child-care costs for as many as four kids “up to an amount equal to the average cost of care in their states.” Right now, the IRS caps the $3,000 per child tax credit at two children. Based on this new metric, a lot of families would be able to fully deduct the cost of child care from their taxes. Other business expenses are tax deductible, Ivanka argues. Why isn’t child care?

The plan would also create a new Dependent Care Savings Account (DCSA), so that families can set aside money to help with everything from medical expenses to education. Those accounts are available through some employers now, but a Trump presidency would ensure that everyone has access whether their company offered it or not. In a big change from the current system, Trump’s proposal also lets elderly parents take advantage of the accounts and — much to families’ delight — rolls over the funds into the next year if they aren’t used (unlike the current use-it-or-lose-it approach).

But for all of these improvements, the most encouraging part of the proposal may be the part no one is talking about! In a subtle, but significant, nod to pro-lifers, the campaign isn’t just opening up these DCSAs to born children — but unborn children. That means moms and dads-to-be can use the money for baby-proofing the house, buying diapers and car seats, or whatever expenses crop up before their new addition comes home. It’s a small but powerful reminder that every child matters.

And that’s not all. The plan calls for six weeks of fully funded maternity leave (without raising taxes on Americans to pay for it) and incentivizes employers to open their own child care facilities on site. The Obama economy and Clinton agenda have made it very difficult for parents, both for their finances and their ability to start and raise a family. In a world where nations like Italy are so desperate to raise the birth rate that they’re sponsoring “Fertility Day,” restructuring the tax code is the least America can do to encourage parents to have — and afford — the kids they want. Flanked by congresswomen who understand the challenges better than anyone, Trump reminded people that the family is the single greatest engine for economic growth. Allowing parents to keep more of what they earn to provide for their kids makes immediate and long-term sense. “This is a family issue,” Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) told a cheering audience. “We know men always want more money. What do women want? More time… And we are thrilled,” she went on, “to finally have a president of the United States who is going to put focus on working with women to make certain that you can achieve your American dream.” The idea is as simple as it is effective: Empower families to thrive, and America will thrive.

Originally published here.

On the NCAA, the Ball Is in Voters’ Court

North Carolina is in the bottom half of the country when it comes to employment. It’s 38th in at least one nationwide high school ranking system. And what are liberal leaders fighting about before the election? Toilets. While voters desperately try to get the country focused on the important things, President Obama’s radical transgender agenda continues to haunt the Tar Heel state, where the highest office in the state hangs in the balance. Despite sky-high approval for H.B. 2 (70 percent called the Left’s bathroom and shower free-for-all “unreasonable” and “unsafe”), liberals are determined to make the common sense law a campaign issue.

And this week, the NCAA helped. The college sports association pulled at least seven tournaments from the state — stunning students and outraging local officials, who can’t believe that liberals are so obsessed with letting men into women’s locker rooms that they’ll punish young athletes until the state relents. That capitulation isn’t coming any time soon, Rep. Mike Hager (R-Rutherfordton) vowed. “We’re not willing to subjugate our moral values or philosophy just for the sake of getting another sporting event,” Hager said. “We all love the NCAA, the NBA, but we have priorities.” With almost half of the nation’s 50 states suing to protect businesses from Obama’s twisted gender politics, North Carolina isn’t about to be bullied into accepting anything less than safety for its people and freedom for its employers.

While lesser men may have buckled (and some have!), Governor Pat McCrory is holding the line, even as Democrats try every ridiculous misinformation play in the book. “I strongly encourage all public and private institutions to both respect and allow our nation’s judicial system to proceed without economic threats or political retaliation toward the 22 states that are currently challenging government overreach,” McCrory said, blasting the president’s mandate to schools that they throw open their bathroom and locker room doors to both genders. “Sadly, the NCAA, a multi-billion dollar, tax-exempt monopoly, failed to show this respect at the expense of our student athletes and hard-working men and women.” Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Dan Forest (R), who’s been solid as a rock on this issue, had a few choice words for the Left and its cronies in the sporting world.

“The NCAA’s action sends a message to every female athlete and female fan attending their events that their privacy and security in a bathroom, shower, or locker room isn’t worth the price of a ticket to a ballgame… For years, we’ve seen the NBA turn a blind eye towards women victims of domestic abuse at the hands of their star players. Why should we be surprised now at the NCAA continuing this pattern of discrimination and degradation of women? The line has now been drawn in the sand, first by Hollywood, now by the NBA and NCAA, either accept their ‘progressive sexual agenda’ or pay the price. North Carolina will not play that game. We value our women too much to put a price tag on their heads.”

If the Left wants to test that theory at the ballot box, let them.

Originally published here.

In Colorado, a Rocky Road for Liberty

In order to make room for its outrageous LGBT agenda, liberals knew something had to give. And for the last several years, that “something” has been religious liberty. Fortunately, most Americans have been appalled at that suggestion and have tried for years to strike a balance between the two — creating plenty of controversy in the process. [Tuesday], FRC’s Travis Weber talked about the clash at Colorado Christian University as part of a symposium on the developing religious liberty issues in our society. He outlined how America has existed with little conflict over the years when the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) has been the law of the land.

No one, he pointed out, used scare quotes when describing religious liberty then. As the new sexual orthodoxy rears its head and increasingly demands compliance, religious freedom for people to dissent is seen as an obstacle, Travis explained. “We reached a mile marker last year in Obergefell v. Hodges, which is now being used by those pushing the sexual agenda to force dissenters to approve of same-sex marriages. We need only look to the latest punishment of a judge answering a hypothetical question about her religious beliefs not permitting her to participate in presiding over a same-sex marriage, or the fines levied against a baker for declining to make a cake for a wedding.” (While in Denver, Travis stopped in to see one of those bakers: Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakes!)

Opponents of these dissenters don’t care that the customers could get a cake nearby, for the goal is not the cake, but coerced approval from Jack or whoever might not provide the cake. Likewise, opponents of religious liberty can’t stand the idea that HB 1523 permits government employees in Mississippi to opt out of assisting in same-sex marriages when their consciences demand it. Anyone else interacting with the government or exercising their faith in public life can now expect the government to force them to violate their beliefs, Travis observed. “Where are we going in the future? While the threats are not yet at the door of churches, the cultural winds are blowing in that direction, and why would they stop short of churches? Those pushing the sexual agenda are not asking merely for legal cover, but approval. And that must be had from everyone.”

In this hostile environment, Travis encouraged the students to not draw back, but push in to relationships and friendships with those who may hold different opinions. The church in America has had it good, and we are not used to exercising our truth muscles. They are flabby. Yet if our brothers and sisters overseas are being killed for the faith, we can learn to be okay with being hated. We must continue to show love and grace, but not compromise the truth.

Originally published here.