Americans hate poor people. [View all]
It's really that simple. They flat out hate the poor. Sure, there's racism and xenophobia is co-mingled in their hate, but by and large, they really, really, really hate the poor.
They believe that people are poor because of poor choices or character flaws. That the American educational, economic and social system, though flawed, provides everyone with an equal opportunity to succeed. If you're not doing well, then you are a failure. You didn't study in school. You didn't go to college. If you did go to college, then you didn't take the right major. If you cannot find a job, then you don't have enough experience. If you have too much experience, then you have to re-train for something else. If that doesn't work, then you should move to North Dakota and work in the oil fields there.
The ironic thing is, the majority of Americans are poor when you look at their net worth which is negative. The ones that think that they are doing well are really up to their necks in debt with mortgages, car leases, credit cards, and student loans.
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