Reply #28: I believe that you're off on this one

[alwynsw]

Poverty does not cause crime. The commission of a crime is a choice. Poverty is not a choice once you reach the age that you can make your own way. You may not become rich, but poverty - in the U.S.A. - is a choice.

Go ahead flame away.

Point of interest. I grew up dirt farm poor. I got one pair of shoes each year - usually the absolute cheapest my mom could find. My extras were hand me downs. I got hand me down clothes, toys, hand me down everything. We couldn't afford much. But. Ya know what. My mom worked her ass off (single parent for most of my childhood - pop was an abuser) and did the best she could.

After I got out of the Air Force - I joined because even with scholarships college was economically impossible - I went to school on the GI Bill - still available in a different form for all GI's, worked my way up with a couple of companies, struck out on my own, did the entrepenurial thing, and retired in my mid forties.

I had the choice: dirt farm, sharecrop if you will, or get my ass in gear and make a better life. I'm nothing special. I'm no genius. I did work my ass off to get what I wanted.

You want more - work a second job. Flip burgers - walk dogs (I've done both and some other jobs that make people gag when they hear the details) - pick produce - ANYTHING for a second income. Invest a small part - even if it's a couple of bucks a month in a piss poor passbook account. You will get ahead.

Barring physical or mental disability, poverty is a choice in this country. Crime is also a choice.

end of rant