Why are there millions of poor people in America?

When you begin to ask that question, you are raising a question about the economic system, about a broader distribution of wealth. When you being to ask that question, you begin to question the capitalistic economy.

We’ve got to begin to ask questions about our whole society.

One day we must come to see the edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

There are countries where the rich/poor divide is far less marked. They are rich countries, too. They often have good natural resources, but they also have a humanitarian view of other people.

I see the usual tropes: 'poor people are responsible for being poor', 'they're all drug addicts', 'I worked hard, I deserve it'.

No-one chooses to be poor. If your parents were poor, you had an abusive childhood, you come from a group who has traditionally been discriminated against or couldn't afford to get out of a ghetto, then you have massive disadvantages without outside help such as a scholarship, a benefactor or...wait for it...a few pennies from a billionaire in taxes.

I have no problem with people telling me that their view is that poor people deserve it and they can get out of it if they choose: I think they are wrong, but that's what they think. But if any of them even suggest that this is a moral, or worse, Christian attitude I will have a major and robust debate with them.