Don't kid us. Some people are poor because they are stupid, ignorant, lazy or crazy. A lot of people are poor because they got trapped into poverty due to unfortunate circumstances, bad decisions or ill health. I might be rich, but I was not born rich. At age 50 I did inherit $100K. One third of my parent's estate. If I am rich, (I might not be but might only be upper middle class) it is because I studied, worked and saved instead of spending and living a life of luxury. I did not work extremely hard, I just worked steady since I was 12 years old. After my first wife died and I was laid off I did take a year off and did not work. I am 64 and working still, I don't need to but I like my work. I don't work hard but I do provide good value. I earn the company a lot more than they pay me. If you don't develop some skills or ability so you can make more than a small wage, you will probably be poor. If you can't be relied upon and valued so that you have full steady employment, then you will probably be poor. If you are a single parent, you will probably be poor. If you have a disability, you will probably be poor. If you are not a white male, you will more likely be poor.

I am not saying I was not privileged; I got all the breaks one could expect. Good education, stable family, good timing. Mostly I just did not screw up which for a smart white guy used to be all it would take to do well.

TEK