[elbucko]

Look at high-crime neighborhoods and you'll usually find a shortage of local businesses.

Exactly. That's my point.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Got it. I did't get your point at first. Still don't agree that crime is the SOLE factor in creating poverty, though. To me, it's sort of a "which came first" situation; if there's crime in an area does that cause more poverty, or if there's initially poverty in an area, does it cause more crime? And again, money given with no accountablity just adds to the downward spiral. Sort of a "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime." (Well, until PETA finds out about it.)

Anyhow...avoid sending your money to the "poverty prolongers" at Oxfam. And thanks to Hu Gadarn for that great list!