Gingrich Explains Why Child Janitors Are a Good Idea and Child Labor Laws Are ‘Truly Stupid’

GOP presidential contender Newt Gingrich is explaining his assertion that child labor laws are “truly stupid.”

Gingrich says he wants to empower kids to succeed through a work ethic, the Washington Post's Election 2012 blog reports. In poor neighborhoods, he has said in recent speeches, children can’t earn cash because they are “trapped in child laws.” He offers school janitorial jobs as an example, saying kid janitors “would be dramatically less expensive than unionized janitors.” Kids working part-time in such jobs would earn money and gain pride in their schools.

Gingrich elaborated in an interview with the Washington Post. “I’m not suggesting that they drop out of school and become janitors, I’m talking about working 20 hours a week and being empowered to succeed,” he said.