sorry I didn't read, it's really quite bad. I am for maternity/paternity leave. But I'm for social programs even if most don't benefit me. I don't know much about the funding as I was mainly aware of it being offered by employers. I wouldn't be against it being part of a socialized healthcare system. I think the state of healthcare in the US is awful and consider it inhumane how expensive it is.
I guess I don't see it as different from other social programs. I think it's important to meet a bare minimum standard of health and well-being that the US isn't meeting. I think it's important for babies to be with a parent or close caregiver at all times and that it will create unstable adults if they don't have proper care. A society of unstable adults is a sick society. I don't want a sick society.
I guess I basically see it as the children of a society are its future. Much must be devoted to them to make a strong society.