[A_perfect_lady]

This is a good piece, but there's one remark I'd disagree with: that government is holding them back. That's something we say to absolve them of blame by pretending that they can't be expected to take care of themselves until they are forced to. But this cannot be true, as the country is full of people (of all colors) who are living under the same pandering government, but who have achieved success and can live productive lives.

Those who live in poverty, for the most part, are holding themselves back.

[Cen-Tejas]

Excellent!

I agree.

[LeoMcNeil]

I concede that suggesting government is holding people back absolves them of personal responsibility. It would have been wiser to say that government entices people to dependency.