I think we disagree there, but I seriously doubt we’ll convince each other.
The poorest 20% of the Americans have a higher consumption rate than the average consumption rate of most OECD nations. But we are a very rich nation, so that’s not surprising.
This all started with @Keith1 saying that if you’re born into poverty, then that’s your lot in society and no one cares. My reply was to say that it doesn’t have to be that way. You as an individual can make choices and try and change that for yourself. And then @Alessan chimed in that it’s luck that deterrmines your fate, implying that don’t count on trying to change that on your own, unless you win the lottery. And then you double down that luck will bite you both ways.
It’s like you all are bound and determined to tell the poor that they shouldn’t try and better themselves because it won’t work. Well you are all wrong.
I grew up poor. But was fortunate to get good grades and receive a merit scholarship which permitted me to get a bachelors degree and a start in business working for a Big 4 accounting firm, where I worked my ass off as I was very ambitious. I’m a 1% today. I pay my taxes and I donate money
and serve on boards of various non-profits that support the needs of the poor.
Not sure what all of your agendas are but you seem to think that I’m advocating that the poor work harder to get out of their situation, and that nothing else should be done. Again, wrong. But it is doable.
None of this accurately characterizes what I said, or, AFAICT, what the others said either.
That’s not what I was saying, any more than you were saying that it’s poor people’s fault they’re poor.
What I was saying is basically how notably rich person J. Paul Getty explained his formula for success: "Rise early, work hard, strike oil.” He was acknowledging that yes, he worked hard - but he also got lucky. You should admit the same, and stop admonishing those less fortunate for not being like you.
Alright, yes luck, chance, etc. does play a part in it. But I think you and I will likely disagree on the split.
I think Luck vs. Work is a 10% - 90% split.
This thread’s kind of wandered off track but here’s a reason (out of many possible) that makes it more difficult for most to get ahead. It’s simple; the greed at the top is stacked against them.
https://archive.li/FBrMO
You got good grades. I’m betting you have above average intelligence. I’ll bet there were adults who pushed and encouraged you as a child. Shouldn’t that rate more than 10%?
Obligatory Community clip:
You consider intelligence luck? 
In an effort to rerail this thread, I’ll admit it was yesterday that I learned that Jared Harris is Richard Harris’ son.
Still a little off topic because I feel Jared Harris is a talented actor.
If it’s not luck, what is it? Are you equating intelligence with education? Education is certainly something that is amenable to hard work and perseverance, but that is not the same thing as intelligence.
Ditto!
Not quite talentless, but not a great statesman either, but I’ll toss Justin Trudeau’s name in here. Though I believe that he is significantly better than the Conservative leader, I also believe that he is basically functioning as the public face for Gerald Butts (in the past) and Katie Telford now, and wouldn’t be there at all if he had a different last name.