In Time

[kandrathe]

Different time, different place, but I think you're dreaming in technicolour if you think that this is just a question of the young envying the old, or that inequality is just some illusory phenomenon. "We" are not all born into the same situation. Not even close.

I do agree that there is inequity in circumstances... some in spite of, and some due to government intervention.

So, putting on my Occupy "My House" hat;

The inequality (that matters) I'm thinking about are those needed to have a level playing field at adulthood (age 18) and a better life. It begins with access to prenatal care, extends into access to sufficient childhood nutrition and health care, access to an equal education, and a clean, safe neighborhood to make friends and play. After that, we can talk about access to college and then career, but I think there is plenty to mull over in figuring out the first 18 years. The bottom line is that we cannot force bad parents to be good parents, but we can help good parents to do all they can to help their children have a "minimum" of access to a better life.

I think we can agree that getting it done is important, but we may disagree on methods. I'm not opposed to government organizing the efforts, but I'd prefer to see the solution exist without the need to tax and spend. I'm much more inclined to allow localities to manage it on their own. In some places, like Detroit, where you have vast economic wastelands, you may need to import State, or Federal money to help out (until refurbished) an entirely destitute locality.