More people going to universities than ever before, youngsters going from disadvantaged families.
Educational opportunities are stacked against the poor and middle class: 60 percent of disadvantaged children go to disadvantaged schools with fewer and lower quality resources, according to a report on educational disparities.
Two-fifths of state prisoners will be released in the next 12 months.The typical inmate goes into prison disadvantaged by almost every measure.
But it requires viewing college as a socioeconomic elevator: you go in disadvantaged and you come out comfortable, thanks to the fine job you got, thanks to the credentials and connections you acquired along the way.
"What we're seeing all over the country is that in spite of stated language in the stimulus bill that this was supposed to go to disadvantaged communities hit hardest by the recession, those communities are having incredible difficulty gaining access to those funds".
For me, the answer is a Congress with a shared commitment to see our country as a great community, and willing to ask more in taxes from the wealthiest Americans to help ensure that no one in need, whether young, old or disadvantaged, goes without food, shelter or health care.
While the report tells Africa's partners in no uncertain terms that their "bloated subsidy regimes and unfair trade rules" leave African countries "heavily disadvantaged," it goes on to assert, in something of an understatement, that "Africans beyond elite circles are not benefiting sufficiently".
The wretched and disadvantaged never went away: they simply ceased to be prominent in Britain.
It matters if small investors are going to be systematically disadvantaged in making these long-term investments.
