It’s that if the poorest families spent as much money educating their children as they do on wine, cigarettes and prostitutes, their children’s prospects would be transformed. Much suffering is caused not only by low incomes, but also by shortsighted private spending decisions by heads of households.
This goes for the US more than Africa. Economics no longer causes poverty in the US, there are only poor lifestyle choices and bad luck (if you get an illness that doesn't allow you to work).
Healthy people who work, don't abuse alcohol or drugs, who don't get involved with the criminal justice system, who graduate from high school, who get married before they have children, are simply not poor in the US.
Liberals have no answer to this FACT. Their response is to hold their hands over their ears and scream, "La, la, la, I can't hear you!".
But it's interesting that this NYT dude can go to Africa and see this. I guess he's never spent time in the 'hood.
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It makes sense in a way. The welfare entitlement mentality built into the poor areas by ADC and SSN payments to the indigent tend to produce indigence. If the government pays you to sit on your butt and have kids...?
It was amazing when the flood hit New Orleans and people standing in a foot of water were just standing there asking for help instead of trying to walk to higher ground. People are taught that this is all there is to life.
So success in the 'hood comes from selling drugs, prostitution, theft and other underground economic and dangerous pursuits. With this comes hopelessness and the need to self-medicate/placate by cigarettes and booze and drugs and mind-numbing hours watching the boob tube.
It is a shame that our government (The Great Society) fomented the mindset prevalent in the 'hood. It doesn't mean some don't open small businesses or work their way into college, no! But it does mean that many never catch the drift of accomplishment and deferred satisfaction after the effort is put forth.
Various governments have contributed to a toxic culture among the underclass (which is a pretty big segment of our poor). Have you ever seen the effective tax rates on people who are trying to wean themselves off government assistance? There are certain points where you get 80% marginal rates when you add in loss of benefits as a tax. That's very destructive to any sense of work ethic.
We don't expect white collar professionals to work very hard at 80% rates. Why are we surprised when the poor respond the same way?
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