The California case is a perfect example of why America has not ratified the treaty. The United States Constitution is unique in that many of the rights declared in the U.N. document are explicitly spelled out in our Constitution. The dignity and right to life of every human being is a cornerstone of our democracy. It a great shame that we live in a world where issues such as child soldiers and child pornography exist, and, in some countries, flourish.

However, the best interests of America must come first when we enact domestic policy. The possibility of judicial rulings such as the one that came out of the California court has been noted for several years by numerous experts, ranging from home-schooling advocates to religious-liberty scholars. The ruling has unified many California officials, from the Republican Schwarzenegger to the Democrat O’Connell.

In a state where an estimated 166,000 children are home-schooled, it is encouraging to see elected officials uphold their commitment to the people they represent. It also is vital for voters heading into elections booths this year to be aware of the ramifications of their vote.

In appearances last summer before the National Education Association, Senators Obama and Clinton practically were tripping over themselves in their willingness to promise the NEA that they would do anything in their power to help the union achieve its goals. One of those goals is to force the United States Congress to ratify the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The NEA also is applauding this California court decision, publicly reiterating its uncompromising opposition to home schooling.

As the California case teaches us, it is not necessary for America to ratify the Convention in order for its mandates to be enforced upon American families. Three activist judges have single handedly overturned 50-plus years of California policy and threatened the educational stability of countless California school children. It is not an issue that should be taken lightly.