04-06-2006, 12:44 AM
There is certainly a lot of poverty in the United States. Our society if definitely decadent and we have our share of problems. As far as poverty is concerned...I would argue that the vast majority of those living in poverty (not the kids) live in poverty by choice. Sure, they don't want to be poor, but they choose to embrace drugs, alcoholism and laziness.
That article didn't mention that our welfare system also supports most of the people who live in poverty. Their welfare income I am sure wasn't included in their income bottom line. Further, every state has millions of programs for the poor such as job education, subsidized housing and food stamps. America really is free. You are free to be poor even if you want. If you want to succeed in the US, you have to work hard and get an education. America is the only country in the world where the poor people are FAT!
Hoping not to step on any toes...if we want to talk about poverty I think you'd be hard pressed to give me a Muslim country which doesn't have poverty problems. Millions of immigrants flock to our country every year to get a piece the American Pie. Many immigrants prosper here. I know several Muslims from Pakistan who own several businesses. They live in my neighborhood and are a very nice and successful family. When they came here they had nothing. They worked hard and the fruit of the labor is evident. It's hard to ignore the facts. Since it's inception over 200 years ago America has proven to be a place where anybody can succeed. They are people here from every country in the world who couldn't escape poverty. In America they can prosper.
"Disclaimer"- My country isn't perfect and has LOTS of problems. I think we are morally corupt and in need of a change. But, economically, we are better than most.