Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I appreciate all that you've shared and I agree with your insights. I think that the answer to many of the questions in your final paragraph is yes - truthfully - when those sorts of programs don't have arduous application and rede processes, these humilating barries to entry and are expected parts of life for everyone...it sounds like a liberal's dream but in a lot of places, that's just the way life is. I can't figure out why it's so hard conceptually here.

I agree, too, that I've been fortunate in many ways - but this isn't an article about that, but how in directing our anger at the stupidity of MAGA adults, we allow bad things to continue to happen to their children, and continue to create future MAGA adults - that really started out looking for a better way but couldn't find one that was worth breaking ties with their family of origin for.

Thanks again, for making me think!