Ah, American conservatives and their eternal obsession with birth rates. JD Vance, venture capitalist turned politician, thinks the country needs more babies. Why? Because, apparently, the future of civilization depends on it. (Spoiler: It doesn’t.)

For those who need a refresher on JD Vance’s baby boom agenda, here’s a clip that sums it up:

But don’t worry, folks—one man is already doing the heavy lifting. Enter Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest father figure, single-handedly trying to outbreed the average Duggar. With 11 kids (that we know of) and a mission to spread his genes like a tech bro Johnny Appleseed, Musk is making sure Vance’s dream doesn’t die in a pile of student debt and overpriced rent.

Meanwhile, Musk is out here making sure his DNA survives the apocalypse. Don’t believe it? Here’s the People magazine breakdown of his ever-growing brood: link.

But let’s talk numbers. Raising a child isn’t just about bedtime stories and soccer practices; it’s a financial marathon. In the UK, the average cost of raising a child from birth to 18 is about £223,256, including housing and childcare. That’s roughly £12,400 a year, or £1,030 a month.

Across the pond in the USA, the figures are just as daunting. Estimates suggest that raising a child from birth to age 18 can cost anywhere from $200,000 to $310,000, depending on the state. In some states, like Massachusetts and Hawaii, parents may spend as much as $650,000.

And let’s not forget the upfront costs. In the UK, thanks to the NHS, having a baby is relatively affordable, with most costs covered by the public healthcare system. However, in the USA, the average out-of-pocket cost for childbirth is around $2,854 for uncomplicated pregnancies and postpartum care, even for those with insurance.

Of course, this whole “we need more babies” push conveniently ignores the actual issues stopping people from having kids—things like unaffordable childcare, stagnant wages, and, oh yeah, the climate crisis. But sure, let’s just pressure people into popping out more humans without fixing any of that. Genius.

What do you think? Is this about preserving civilization, or just another way to avoid fixing the real problems? Drop your thoughts below.

#PopulationControl #ElonMusk #JDVance #ReproductiveRights #WTFPolitics