Although they remain blissfully unaware, California's 4-year-olds are in the middle of a heated debate. The debate centers on Proposition 82, the "Preschool for All" act. Regardless of one's political position, this proposition raises a significant idea whose time has come. The California Department of Education Web site states that the "Preschool for All" initiative serves to develop high-quality Pre-kindergarten content standards, build a first-class professional learning system for preschool teachers, implement a results-based accountability system, create seamless transitions from Pre-K to kindergarten and first grade and involve all stakeholders in the learning process. The above would be accomplished by taxing the state's wealthiest persons to provide high quality, no cost pre-school programs to all California 4-year-olds.

There can be no argument that we need clean air and water to live. But here in Napa our survival requires us to go further.

Dear editor,

Dear editor,

Dear editor,

Dear editor,

Dear editor,

Dear editor,

Dear editor,

Dear editor,

Dear editor,