The (uncomfortable for us) reality is, for many people living in NYC, the things you mention are not considered minimum standards for a happy or fulfilled life.

The (uncomfortable for us) reality is, for many people living in NYC, the things you mention are not considered minimum standards for a happy or fulfilled life. 4.4 million people in NYC are immigrants, many of them coming from situations where the phrase "standard of living" carries no water. These people want their children or childrens' children to have the life you describe, and see that as fair. I'm not saying it's a good thing or an acceptable thing, merely calling it what it is. I agree with you that the government should be funding a higher standard of living for all. But reality as it exists today is more complicated than the platonic ideals we'd like it to be.