[John O]

If all the money which has been spent on the poor had instead just been given to the poor, the poor would be rich.

I disagree. A bunch of them would have overdosed on expensive new drugs. A bunch of them would be bankrupt after having blown the money on fancy new toys. And only a small percentage of them would have entered the middle class and properly used the money to further their families

Poverty in this country is NOT a resource problem. It is a character problem. Anyone can lift themselves out of poverty. Work hard in school, get a job, improve your skills, get a better job etc. But most poor people do not have the character to do those things.

[sima_yi]

I actually agree with you totally. If the money had been given to the poor, they would be rich temporarily.

Poverty is, most often, the result of bad personal choices.