Originally Posted By: MIKEG
I guess Walmart would never consider hiring the people you described, or the local grocery store?
Building equity at a high risk of default, that is a good plan?
So permanent and multi-generational social assistant is good and acceptable?
Payday loans: At that rate how does anyone who enters into that agreement ever expect to get out, looking at it with any level of reasoning they wouldnt use the service.


On the contrary, WalMart employs lots of these people, often not full-time, or with any benefits, but it's a start.

Home ownership carries risks, but it helps build personal financial and community stability, the current popped housing bubble notwithstanding.

If I wanted to design a system to destroy lives, families and communities, and perpetuate poverty, I doubt I could do better than the current welfare system.

Payday lenders are predatory, but some form of credit is often essential. Even if a $200 car repair ends up costing you $500, it often beats losing your job or having to drop out of school. The better alternative for low-income people is a pawn shop; the rates, while still high, are better than vampire loans, and the downside risk is worlds better.

My larger points are:

I'm not willing to blame the poor for being poor. Sometimes they're blameworthy, but sometimes they're not, so don't make sweeping judgments.

Escaping poverty is not as simple and easy as it seems to some. Often the deck is stacked against the poor in many ways that are not so obvious.

Being responsible, intelligent, willing to work hard and having good character is not always enough to lift you out of poverty. Also, not being poor is not proof of being responsible, intelligent, willing to work hard and having good character.

Social mobility works both ways. Almost anyone can unexpectedly fall on hard times, so don't judge too harshly. It could be you who is getting judged one day.