by William Banks

Created on: April 11, 2009   Last Updated: April 23, 2009

When asked if there is anything that should be done to encourage Sonoma County parents to vaccinate their children. My first reaction is, absolutely not. I am one that feels the government has interfered with the lives of the people too much as it is.

When I thought about it a little further I found myself to be a bit conflicted. Being that I am a Sonoma County parent. I am often times wondering if I even would like to continue living in Santa Rosa (The biggest city in So. Co.) My reasons for wanting to leave all stem from the faults I believe the local government has. These faults I feel are border line criminal and unconstitutional in some cases. Others, I assume, are just a detachment from reality and lack of common sense. Still though, one of the things that keep me here are the schools. Plus, the fact that we're a half hour from the beach, an hour from camping, and an hour from the city (San Francisco).

See I do still think the government should be reined in, but part of their job is to secure the citizens rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If a child is not vaccinated is their right to life being protected? Already the government regulates the age at which a child can ride in a car without a car seat. Also they have made it illegal for an adult to smoke in a car while riding with a minor. Both laws I approve of.

It's a sad but true fact, that we have in our county. Parents that are not up to the job of parenting. Unfortunately there will never be a way to stop crazy people from procreating. At least not without completely violating our constitution and our freedom.

I am personally of the opinion, that all children should be vaccinated. I have come to this conclusion through my own research and judgement. I think that most parents could be persuaded to make the right decision if they were given the facts. The truth is, most skeptics would be converted with an hour spent on the net.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a ton of good information on vaccines and their importance to a society. For anyone that doubts, let me assure you. If we as a nation stopped vaccinating our children. Diseases that are now thought of as extinct, would stage a comeback that would devastate our population. To illustrate this I suggest people look to history.

In 1974 Japan had a successful pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination program. With 80% of the Japanese children being vaccinated. In that year there were only 393 reported cases of pertussis

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