But ouch. At least we're not the UK

A UNICEF report on children's well-being in 21 industrial nations (I am noticing that Japan doesn't seem to be included here):

1. Netherlands 2. Sweden 3. Denmark 4. Finland 5. Spain 6. Switzerland 7. Norway 8. Italy 9. Republic of Ireland 10. Belgium 11. Germany 12. Canada 13. Greece 14. Poland 15. Czech Republic 16. France 17. Portugal 18. Austria 19. Hungary 20. United States 21. United Kingdom

Nope, we're not last. We're next to last. No surprise from me there. I saw the free vaccines, community centers, and child subsidies in Japan.

And then there's that whole "pull yourself up by your bootstrap" idea here in the states that cuts welfare. I don't think adults should get free rides. I think adults should be held responsible for repeatedly avoiding chances to better oneself, but children?

Nope, they and their parent(s) should be getting all the support in the world.

Because that's what I would want people to do for girl1 and girl2.

So one blog comment resonated with me here:

"Yet, there are four northern European countries that top the list who each are known for being economically strong with relatively free markets, have predominantly protestant origins, are socially tolerant, and whose economies have been able to support lavish welfare arrangement without a crippling economic effect. The US has protestant origins and so has Britain, are economically successful, have less generous entitlements handed out by the state and are less liberal on the social front. A pattern? A possible explanation? This is a tough one, feedback is welcome."

Wait, why is feedback needed? He said it himself "..are socially tolerant, and whose economies have been able to support lavish welfare arrangement without a crippling economic effect..."

Duh (smacks self on head) That's what we're missing!