Funding the next generation is a win for economy

I want to thank Ms. Wilson for her recent letter in the Kitsap Sun asking Congress to extend the 2021 Child Tax Credits (CTC). Our children are the future of our country. Let’s give them a hand, well, more than a hand.

Some 150 years ago, the first chancellor of Germany, the very conservative Otto von Bismarck, realized that well educated and healthy German kids are good for the economy of Germany. He introduced a universal health care system and compulsory education, and some 50 years later a new law established a type of child tax credit called “Kindergeld.” Today, each family receives between 204 to 235 Euros per child from the German government.

Denmark, Sweden, Norway Finland, Holland, Switzerland, Canada and New Zealand, also provide their families with money to help raise and educate their children. A wise investment. Good for the economy. Of course, these countries have also some of the highest standard of living and a tightly woven social security net.

However, since the Kindergeld did not produce instant workers, and since Germany, like the U.S., has a near zero population growth and not enough workers to make and move and buy stuff, as well as to pay taxes, Germany accepted one million Syrian refugees in 2015. Large corporations and small businesses welcome this influx of badly needed tax paying workers. A win-win for the government and the economy.

Jim Behrend, Bainbridge Island

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Funding the next generation is a win for economy