By Bruce Lesley, First Focus

As the 12 members of the Congressional Super Committee begin their work, it’s important to remember that in this country, we don’t kick people when they’re down, particularly children.  Millions of American children face the daily possibility that they won’t have enough food to eat or the supplies needed for the new school year.  The Super Committee members must affirm their support of children not through talk, but by protecting and not cutting kids.

Today, almost one of every four children lives in a family that is trying to get by on less than $21,000 a year.  One out of every four American families has had difficulty buying food in the last year.  7.3 million children lack health insurance.  In these tough economic times, programs that lend a hand to families down on their luck are more important than ever and should not be cut. 

Children make up a quarter of our population, and form the foundation of our nation’s future.  They are also some of our most vulnerable.  As we debate the economic future of our nation, we cannot forget about those who will be called on to create our future prosperity.

We know that children who grow up in poverty have a higher likelihood of unemployment as adults.  We know they are more likely to suffer health problems and commit more crimes.  If we are to remain a great nation for decades to come, we must ensure that today’s kids are given every chance to succeed.  We owe our children more than a fiscally sound nation.  We owe them the chance for health, happiness, and prosperity. 

The American people recognize this crisis. Polling done by Greenberg-Quinlan and First Focus, shows that by a nearly 3-1 margin (58-20 percent), American voters believe that the lives of children have gotten worse rather than better over the last ten years.  Americans are deeply concerned that the generation growing up today will not have the same opportunities to achieve the American Dream.  It’s time for us as a nation to get back to basics and regain our focus.

Since the start of the recession, as millions of hardworking mothers and fathers struggle to find employment, they have turned to programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, and Food Stamps to help weather the storm.  These programs have responded exactly as intended.  If not for this safety net, millions more children could be at risk and millions more parents would know the powerless feeling of being unable to take a sick child to the doctor.  It’s time we put the needs of our nation’s children above all else.

If we do not address long term economic issues, we know there will be detrimental consequences.  Inaction is not an option, but kids must be held harmless.  Deficit reduction cannot and should not be accomplished on the backs of children.  Already, federal spending on children is less than 10 percent of the total budget.  A cut from this small slice will barely dent the deficit while having dire consequences and set back the already visible successes. 

Americans recognize that our national deficit must be addressed, but oppose balancing the budget on the backs of kids.  In polling, voters overwhelmingly reject major cuts to education, child nutrition, CHIP, Medicaid, Head Start, and college student loans.  It is in our best interest to raise the healthiest, most educated, best-prepared children in the world.  If we want to recapture the American Dream and do right by our children, Congress and the Super Committee can start by not cutting kids.

(Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published as an op-ed in “The Hill“.)