Everything and the Kitchen Sink

Abstract

Addressing an American audience, I quoted childhood poverty figures from UNICEF that show 29% of children in the USA grow up in poverty, more like Mexico than the Nordic countries at 9–11%. Somewhat overwrought, I declared: “Republican, Democrat, I couldn't care less. This is our children we are talking about. Is there a politician in the land who would say they didn't care about children?” A voice called out: “you'd be surprised”. Setting the cynic aside for the moment, no politician would claim to be in favour of children being denied life chances because of accident of their birth. From all sides, we hear ringing declarations of equality of opportunity.