New York Times columnist Paul Krugman observed that the victims of this cavalier attitude are our children. America's sclerosis threatens every aspect of child welfare from health services to education. For example, House Republicans propose to slash WIC the widely acclaimed program to feed pregnant women and infants. WIC is the acronym for the "Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children" that provides care for low-income pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants and children under the age of five. It's supported by overwhelming scientific data showing that prenatal and infant nutrition is the major determinant of a child's health and intelligence. (Some Republicans also want to repeal child labor laws.)
Whatever the reason, America appears to have lost the ethic that it's necessary to sacrifice in order to ensure our children have a better life. In fact, Republicans would rather cut Federal programs that benefit our children -- programs that are demonstrably successful -- than they would tax millionaires.
How low will Americans sink before we realize that our collective narcissism is jeopardizing the future of the US? Or are we willing to abandon our children?
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