The one thing you didn't point out is that the standard of living for 'poor' people is much higher than most places in the world.

Aside from the homeless, there are programs for public housing, food, and medical care.

To other Americans driving through low income neighborhoods, I can understand how it might look.

However, I've been to Africa. Iave been to Southeast Asia. People live in cinder block houses with not running water or plumbing at all.

Food is scarce and in many countries picking through the local dump for anything they can use or sell, or even eat.

To a vast majority of Americans, seeing how the "poor" live may be shocking.

But I promise you compared to most countries, the US does a fairly decent job at trying to help as much as possible.