So the originator of this thread is race-baiting, and you are assuming things about someone you do not know.
And your plan to change my mind on this issue is to refer to a mostly-FICTION writer from 19th century Britain? Seriously?
Here in 21st century america, there ARE NO STARVING PEOPLE. When was the last time you heard on the news of someone starving to death? The poor today eat like kings of old, thanks to food stamps, WHETHER THEY CHOOSE TO WORK OR NOT.
As for me, I grew up relatively poor, by american standards. I wore hand-me down clothes all the way up until the time I started to make my own money. We didn't have the latest Nintendo, or the latest anything, and I brown-bagged bologna sandwiches all the way thru school. I wasn't the coolest kid, or the most popular, but I worked my ass off ( while my peers were doing drugs and going to parties), got nearly all A's, and graduated 4th in my class. I love to learn, and still do. I will do whatever it takes to be successful. I chose to get a degree in chemical engineering PURPOSEFULLY b\c it had the highest starting salary. It was no accident, and making it thru a ChE program was pretty damn hard--you try it sometime! I ate ramen noodles all thru college. Hell, I was too poor to even afford MacDonald's.
Yeah, it sucked at the time, but I now realize that growing up so "poor" was actually the best thing for me. Being poor can actually be a very good motivator to work hard and be successful in life--IF YOU'RE SMART. Not many people are. Most poor kids would rather beat the shit out the kids who try hard in school, than try to work hard themselves. Sad fact in america. That's why we have to import high-tech workers from other countries, who have experienced REAL poverty (not the fake kind we have in america), and will put in any amount of work to become successful. So no, I do not feel sorry for the poor. Anyone can become rich in america, if they have the right work ethic. Not many do. So much to say about this issue but I will end it here for now.