Moral Funding

With Congress spending 70 times the amount of money for the military as it does for the FEMA disaster relief it is astounding we are supplied with any aid at all. Chris Ernesto's Funding for War vs. Natural Disasters https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/10/18/funding-for-war-vs-natural-disasters/ manages to touch on a relevant controversial issue concerning the over funding of the military in comparison to the natural disaster fund. The descriptive dramatization of the damage caused by the natural disasters and the introductory image created of paradise is in stark contrast to the disastrous picture painted, and aids readers view towards a cynical and questionable opinion of Government spending. While analyzing the large differences and room for adjustment  in the budgets, I came to agree that it is concerning the government spends so much money on war  which only creates disaster, and yet we cannot help our own citizens with the disasters that plague us at home right in America. Chris focuses on highlighting the cost differences of the recent disasters such as hurricane Maria which hit Puerto Rico, and the wildfires destroying California. By stressing the difference of the 220 Billion recent disaster cost to the 700 Billion military budgets the author makes a valid comparison stressing the option that there is enough in the budget to distribute to a relief cause.  He goes on to argue the spending of 1.25 Trillion dollars to modernize the US nuclear arsenal; he portrays the audacity of the government’s spending decisions when 1.25 trillion is more than enough money to not only rebuild Southeast Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and California, but to also modernize the US infrastructure. By filtering the money into the disaster relief budget it allows the building of more disaster relief centers and hiring more firefighters and first responders, he also states that more funding would allow firefighters to earn more than minimum wage especially when battling fire for 70 straight hours. The overall article contemplates and argues a huge moral crisis within the government. With large budget differences, foreign wars draining valuable resources, first responders receiving low pay and long hours, and millions of citizens being personally affected; Chris accurately analyzes a morally corrupt government and portrays their actions in a realistic and relatable viewpoint. 

Education Vs. Inequality

The Dallas Morning News recently published an article called, “Rich kids are in Pre-K while poor ones are with grandma,” in which it highlights on the book of Ajay Chaudry, Taryn Morrissey, Christina Weiland and Hirokazu Yoshikawa called, “Cradle to Kindergarten: A New Plan to Combat Inequality.” The editorial focuses on the inequality of 3-4 year olds raised in opposite households; a rich family that is able to provide an early education such as Preschool, where as a poverty stricken family may not be able to provide the same service to their children.

Poor parents who cannot afford structured preschool or whose schedules do not coexist with school will often leave their kids with a relative or child care provider which can result in the child not receiving the necessary focused development. Only 55 percent of America’s 3-4 year olds attend preschool which is unacceptable compared to China who has 75 percent or Germany and Britain who have 90 percent of young children attending preschool. Research formed since the 1940’s has shown that children who don’t attend formal school until kindergarten start off a year behind in math and verbal skills. Lack of early development increases the probability of falling behind which can lead to dropping out of school and working low paying jobs.

“The earliest years are the most promising for brain and skill development, yet it is when the U.S. invests the least,” Yoshikawa, an education professor at NY University, told The Washington Post. The United States should take more interest in the early development of its citizens. They are after all, eventually going to be functioning within it and can either contribute or take away from the progress. The government should contribute millions more for early education programs making sure kids are enrolled by 3, providing more assistance for affordable child care, and assisting poor families as soon as a child is born, to promote a better future; not only for the child, but for the United States. A well-educated child promotes a successful economy and society. Providing an equal “quality” education and opportunity at a young age supplies the United States with a level playing field over the many countries already providing early child development to the vast majority.