Ok, here's my problem w/ the poor people are victims camp. You seem to completely ignore the personal responsibility side of the equation. When presented with the idea, you refer back to the billions being spent on advertising & ask how the little man is supposed to stand a chance. Other than acknowledging that "personal responsibility" is a counter argument to your own beliefs, you seem to give the concept no merit.
I can tell you, having spent time in poor communities and mentoring poor children, that overwhelmingly the problem is all about personal choices. The parents usually don't work, don't seek out paid employment because they fare better collecting government benefits and lounging around. This is the norm. Yes, this is just an anecdotal observation, and maybe all the other poor communities are different, but this has been my experience. So they are victims of their own poor work ethic, their own weak will, lack of ability to think long term. Go visit a third world country, watch a 2yr old drink from a mud puddle, see parents who can't feed or even clothe their dying children. Then come back & tell me America's poor are victims of the ills of capitalism.
I've never net someone in America who, with true drive and determination, wasn't able to rise above poverty. It's definitely not easy, but it's easier to do here than any place in the world - and any place throughout history. Your biggest issue is that the poor get bombarded with ads while watching tv in a warm home with full bellies. Any one of those people can decide at any time to cancel cable, get to work, educate themselves at the library, and generally improve their situation. Sure, it'll take years of good decision making, self discipline and long term thinking. But, guess what, that is the price one has to pay to achieve success. And it's not for everyone. We all have the choice.