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The United States has the highest child poverty rate – by far — compared to other developed nations. And it’s only increasing as our economy tanks.  As Yglesias says:

…it’s sad to see the extent to which we’re slouching toward that future without any public acknowledgment of it or debate about the wisdom of our priorities. You would think that something like being by far the world leader in child poverty would dominate the political agenda — instead you never see it mentioned.

As I said earlier in the month:

Fobbing this off as a "not my problem" issue is short-sighted and fiscally dumb — the costs of a lifetime of criminal problems are vastly higher than early services for children whose families are not capable of caring for them without intervention and education. The longer the neglect occurs without intervention, the more we, as a society, pay out on the back end, in tax dollars and shattered lives.

So, who is getting the money? Let’s compare two groups who had comparable poverty levels just a few years ago: the elderly versus children.

"Over the last 45 years, U.S. policies produced spectacular drops in elderly poverty rates; now the elderly are the least poor. During the same period, child poverty remained constant," Petit said in a statement.

"One reason: Federal spending in 2007 was nearly seven times greater for persons age 65 and older than for those under age 18 — $27,289 per person versus $4,000 per person, respectively."

Why the disparity in treatment? Because seniors organize, they vote in droves, and they lobby like crazy. Kids? The ones who most need assistance have parents who either cannot afford to lobby or families who could care less about the children’s plight.

What does it say about us as a society not to recognize that it is the voiceless who most need our care, our compassion, and our highest efforts and wisdom on their behalf?

Recently, Every Child Matters issued an in-depth examination of child poverty and the needs of these children to even reach parity in education and economic hopes for the future.  This "Homeland Insecurity" report ought to be required congressional reading.

A horrible economy is moving millions of children into crisis, said Michael Petit, author of "Homeland Insecurity" and president of the Every Child Matters Education Foundation. The sobering statistics he cites include 2 million children with parents in prison, 8 million without health insurance, 13 million in poverty, and millions of children reported in abuse and neglect.

"Homeland Insecurity" notes that the successful Head Start program serves only half of the eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. Fully funding Head Start should anchor a new set of national investments in children by providing more equal educational opportunities. Up to 90% of a child’s brain development occurs by age 5.

To be sure, more government money isn’t the whole answer. To the extent they are able, parents must measure up to their responsibilities as protectors and providers. But an economy that throws millions out of work has made that increasingly difficult while creating the worst child poverty rate among developed countries.

Last year, federal spending — per person — was nearly seven times greater for those 65 or older than for those under 18. While no one disputes the priority of care for the elderly, investments in children programs have to be a higher priority, especially since there’s such a payoff. High-quality preschool programs aimed at disadvantaged children, for example, return to society, over 20 years, an estimated $8-$17 for every $1 invested. That return comes in wages earned and taxes paid, as well as lower social service and criminal justice costs.

We must do better. Because we cannot afford not to — right now we are mortgaging our nation’s future away.

Related posts:

  1. Health Care and Poverty: We are Failing Our Most Vulnerable
  2. Sesame Street: Tackling Tough Economic Times Together
  3. Participation in School Meal Programs to Reach 41-Year High
  4. Without Jobs, the Nation’s Future Circles the Drain
  5. Gingrich: Fraud and Abuse of Medicare–Intolerable; Fraud, Abuse in Military–Less Problematic