Kids becoming burger flippers doesn't just suck for them, it sucks for all of us. Many of the strides the U.S. has made is due to its intelectual capital. When you allow much of the potential to fall through the cracks, then our comptetive advantage of innovation etc. also slips. Which in turn hurts the economy and just about everything else.

Education is key and the fewer kids getting a proper education will limit the countries ability to create, innovate etc. Because nothing has immediate impact/results, it's hard to understand why not 'leaving these kids behind' is important. The same reason that kids don't see how education really helps everything in the long run is the same reason many people may not support such a program. However, it is governments role to step in for the long-term health of the nation.