Donahue either has, or should have, a research staff. He knew this, or should have known it. There is no excuse for his not having had the integrity to examine and mention every bit of this. Reagan didn't come into office until 1981 and a Reagan budget could not be implemented until 1982. The 22 percent child poverty level was not Reagan's.
Recessions hit kids.
In 1969 the economy was coming out of a recession. The '90 to '96 recession which many people wrongly attempt to insist lasted but one year can be clearly seen in child poverty levels. Over a nearly 30 year period the child poverty level has risen more than 6 percent through what are claimed to be the most prosperous periods in American history. Much of the touted prosperity has been a myth, which should be a subject of future discussion. But just as importantly, the combination of the dysfunctional morality of the borderline personality and its support from social services has been disastrous and was becoming so before Reagan took office.