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xchrom

(108,903 posts) Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:42 AM Dec 2012

Does America Hate Its Children? We do not protect them from poverty, disease, or guns.

http://www.alternet.org/does-america-hate-its-children

America’s children seem to be shortchanged on almost every issue we face as a society.

Not only are we failing to protect our children from deranged people wielding semi-automatic guns.

We’re not protecting them from poverty. The rate of child poverty keeps rising – even faster than the rate of adult poverty.

And we’re not protecting their health. Rates of child diabetes and asthma continue to climb.

If we go over the “fiscal cliff” without a budget deal, several programs focused on the wellbeing of children will be axed — education, child nutrition, school lunches, children’s health, Head Start. Even if we avoid the cliff, any “grand bargain” to tame to deficit is likely to jeopardize them.

At the same time, states and localities have been slashing preschool and after-school programs, child care, family services, recreation, and mental-health services.

Why?

13 replies

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Does America Hate Its Children? We do not protect them from poverty, disease, or guns. (Original Post) xchrom Dec 2012 OP

It appears that way etherealtruth Dec 2012 #1

This message was self-deleted by its author Bad_Ronald Dec 2012 #2

We don't protect them from being hyper-sexualized at young ages, either. WinkyDink Dec 2012 #3

not only preschool and after-school programs - but also "regular" school budgets DrDan Dec 2012 #4

It does seem so, doesn't it. nt historylovr Dec 2012 #5

k/r marmar Dec 2012 #6

I think it's more the "I've got mine, fuck you," mentality. People don't want to pay taxes to help raccoon Dec 2012 #7

Why do we ask children to be braver than the lawmakers dealing with the lobbyists? ck4829 Dec 2012 #8

I've been saying this for years. Starry Messenger Dec 2012 #9

America loves fetuses more than humans. HughBeaumont Dec 2012 #10

Instinctively, we as Americans want kids who are makers, not takers Bucky Dec 2012 #11

"got out" as in out of the womb ck4829 Dec 2012 #12

No time like infancy to learn how to pull yourself up by your bootstraps! Brickbat Dec 2012 #13

etherealtruth

(22,165 posts)

1. It appears that way

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:48 AM

Dec 2012

A society can be judged by how it treats its frailest most vulnerable members.

On all counts, the United States does a poor job.

Response to xchrom (Original post)

Bad_Ronald This message was self-deleted by its author.

WinkyDink

(51,311 posts)

3. We don't protect them from being hyper-sexualized at young ages, either.

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 07:51 AM

Dec 2012

DrDan

(20,411 posts)

4. not only preschool and after-school programs - but also "regular" school budgets

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:19 AM

Dec 2012

how a country takes care of its children says a lot about that country

historylovr

(1,557 posts)

5. It does seem so, doesn't it. nt

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 08:42 AM

Dec 2012

marmar

(77,091 posts)

6. k/r

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:13 AM

Dec 2012

raccoon

(31,126 posts)

7. I think it's more the "I've got mine, fuck you," mentality. People don't want to pay taxes to help

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:42 AM

Dec 2012

somebody else.

ck4829

(35,091 posts)

8. Why do we ask children to be braver than the lawmakers dealing with the lobbyists?

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:44 AM

Dec 2012

Starry Messenger

(32,342 posts)

9. I've been saying this for years.

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 09:49 AM

Dec 2012

The only time people seem to care about kids is when they represent a certain amount of education dollars. Hell, the right wing is itching to bring back child labor.

HughBeaumont

(24,461 posts)

10. America loves fetuses more than humans.

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 10:04 AM

Dec 2012

We're pretty much a nation that talks a good game, but when it comes right down to it, go back to the old canard "life's not fair" and refuse to walk the walk. We tell them "you have to get a great job to succeed!" and practically trip over ourselves to throw up steel wall after titanium obstacle to block their path. "Hey, we're raising tuition again. Sucks to be you. Fuck you, I got mine."

We don't reward the heroic with anything more than a pat on the back while we give the sociopathic ruthless CEOs lotteries no matter WHAT kind of job they do. You bankrupt the company? Bonuses all around! Whistleblower? Stopping a robbery or assault? Here's your walking papers. "Fuck you, I got mine."

Hell, even the person who sang "I believe the children are our future" couldn't escape her addictions long enough to see her own child's future.

Let's just call America for what it is: a conglomeration of people that don't give a high fuck about anyone but themselves only. We're not in this for each other. We never were. You think a Congress of millionaires gives one crapola about the needs of the people? These savage bastards think of you as nothing more than useless eaters. Our politicians and corporate leaders would be laughed off the stage of a nation who actually walks the walk for their people.

This is pretty much how any right-leaning Congressperson thinks: "You're not getting your social security, you're not getting Medicare, I want you dead and I want your money."

Bucky

(54,068 posts)

11. Instinctively, we as Americans want kids who are makers, not takers

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 10:05 AM

Dec 2012

It's time they got out there and earned a living

ck4829

(35,091 posts)

12. "got out" as in out of the womb

Reply to Bucky (Reply #11)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 10:07 AM

Dec 2012

Unfortunately.

Brickbat

(19,339 posts)

13. No time like infancy to learn how to pull yourself up by your bootstraps!

Reply to xchrom (Original post)

Tue Dec 18, 2012, 10:10 AM

Dec 2012

If they have to get diabetes to understand the importance of good health, MAYBE THEY SHOULD GET DIABETES!

If they don't have a good education when they're five, they'll see the value of it and WORK HARDER!

If they happen to be dumb enough to get themselves borned into a crappy family, they'll strive to GET OUT OF IT SOONER and MAKE THEMSELVES BETTER PEOPLE!

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