It Takes a State to Raise a Child: Why I Love Taxachusetts
Everyone bellyaches about paying outrageous taxes. Here's an alternative viewpoint.
A recent study, entitled "Homeland Insecurity," conclusively demonstrates a link between the state tax rate and important indicators of children's health (including low birth weight, neonatal mortality, juvenile incarceration, teen pregnancy, and death).
They found that:
I think of taxes as the rent we pay for the privilege and opportunity to live in this glorious country. And the higher the rent, the healthier our kids. Think about that the next time you hear a politican promising tax cuts: just who is going to take the hit? As usual, it's often our littlest citizens.
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Technorati Tags: medicine, pediatrics, health and wellness, taxes, health expenditures
A recent study, entitled "Homeland Insecurity," conclusively demonstrates a link between the state tax rate and important indicators of children's health (including low birth weight, neonatal mortality, juvenile incarceration, teen pregnancy, and death).
They found that:
- Nine of the top 10 higher tax states rank in the top 20 for overall child well-being.
- Seven of the 10 lowest tax states rank in the bottom 20 states for overall child well being, with four in the bottom 10 states.
- Children in low-tax states are considerably more likely to suffer from poor prenatal care, early death, child abuse and teen incarceration than are children in higher-tax states that invest in child and family programs.
The authors conclude:
"The hidden price tags of tax cuts are reduced child health and, in all too many cases, increased risk of premature mortality...The finding is not that rich states take care of children better than poor states. The finding is that (rich or poor) states with higher levels of taxation take care of children better than (rich or poor) states with lower levels of taxation."
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Whatever your political leanings, I hope we can all agree that one proper role of government is to protect and enhance the health of our children. See where your state ranks in child well-being.I think of taxes as the rent we pay for the privilege and opportunity to live in this glorious country. And the higher the rent, the healthier our kids. Think about that the next time you hear a politican promising tax cuts: just who is going to take the hit? As usual, it's often our littlest citizens.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: medicine, pediatrics, health and wellness, taxes, health expenditures
Labels: child welfare, health expenitures
15 Comments:
Correlation is not causation.
You know better, Dr. Parker!
If the result had run the other way, would you have written about it?
best,
Flea
As a resident of the state with the highest taxes, one of the poorest cities (Camden), highest crime rate (Camden again), an ineffectual child protection agency, I can safely say that high taxes buy you nothing but corrupt politicians.
Anonymous 12:27 -- The "ineffectual child protection agency" just got a positive rating from its independent overseer, and you can't use one city to describe the situation in the entire state.
flea -- OK, but correlation is still a step on the way to causation.
The hidden price tags of tax cuts are reduced child health and, in all too many cases, increased risk of premature mortality
Put another way, TAX CUTS KILL!
Thinking:
That ineffectual child protection agency is under a court order to be overhauled because it was so bad. 123 children died of abuse or neglect in a 5 year period.
It is not just one city, here are some more for your edification:
Collingswood - 4 adopted children starved
Franklinville - Adoptive Mom kills son after months of abuse, other 3 children given back to her against court order
Newark - 2 brothers locked in basement with body of third brother
Woodbury - teenage mom throws baby down on bed so forcibly it causes brain damage
Medford - parents kill baby cremate body in fireplace
Mt Laurel - Grandmother allegedly on drugs leaves 3 yo in burning SUV
Lindenwold - boyfriend of mom shakes baby
Brooklawn - girlfriend of father throws newborn baby down flight of stairs and then stabs the baby
These are just the ones that come immediately to mind. Every month there is another story in the newspaper of a child in NJ killed by a parent or friend of one parent. It is not just the cities, it is all over the state, sometimes a front page headline, sometimes buried in the back of section 2, but the stories are there.
Bravo Dr. Parker! Well said. I wish we could label inadequate resources for child care a "future deprivation tax." Then this frightening issue might get the attention it deserves.
"I hope we can all agree that one proper role of government is to protect and enhance the health of our children."
Sorry, I could NOT disagree more. Whatever happened to people taking responsibility for their own actions? Government is in the pocket of every citizen in the US now, telling us what to eat, drink, wear and use. In the 30's people assumed that whatever they did was legal, now people wonder if what they do is illegal. We have far too many laws already,
we're moving closer towards a socialistic state every day, and you want Government to take care of our kids? HA!!! Show me ANY government agency and I'll show you a private sector company that can do the job cheaper, with less waste, and more efficiency.
Dr. Parker wrote "I hope we can all agree that one proper role of government is to protect and enhance the health of our children."
The more pertinent question to ask would be "How intrusive a role should government play in the health of our children?" There is certainly no consensus on that issue. For example, should the government require all school girls to get HPV vaccine, as the Texas governor proposes? In my opinion, that's beyond the bounds of government's responsibility.
One other comment: Instead of making the simplistic argument that higher tax rates = better outcomes for children, why don't you study the states that have better outcomes with lower tax rates? Throwing money at a problem is rarely the best solution.
Regards, TSC
If anyone thinks they can depend on the government to help raise their kids they are delusional and irresponsible. Politicians spend our tax dollars only with the thought of getting re-elected. They talk about helping our children to get into your heart and buy your vote. What we end up with is millions of dollars wasted on ineffectual programs that they have no idea how to implement nor do they care. Love your kids and give them your time. Don't delegate your parental responsibilities to anyone.
Dave
So tax us to death and hope the government will make things better?
Why is the #1 state (New Hampshire), #34 in the tax burden? Perhaps there are other factors at play here and the entire pretext is flawed.
How much does it cost to teach the gay life stiyle is great, go ahead kids,try it. After that class, kids will be shown how to put a condom on a cucumber. Then the kids will learn to feel good about themselves. Math, reading and science along with phys. ed will be taught if time permits....
The answer? More money!!
Higer taxes don't automatically translate to better health for children. Better management coould, and better parenting would help a lot as well. The answer to every problem is not to throw money at it.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!
flawed study, flawed conclusions
He's joking right? I agree with the Camden resident who says that high taxes point to corruption and poor civic health. Certainly after a point. Thats because the aim of most bureaucracies is to ensure their own perpetuation.
Dr. Parker,
I cold spend too much time trying to challenge/refute many of the posted comments, so, it is sufficient to say, thank you for an excellent column. It is is good to be reminded that taxes are more than just a means to gather money into perpetuity, but are an estimation of how, as a society, we choose to care for each other. Something that this Christian and person of faith finds to be extremely important.
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