>>I have no problem with your believing that. I do have a problem with your
>>automatic assumption that the poor will spend significant amounts of money on
>>drugs, alcohol and gambling.
>I suppose we would have to define "significant" - but if you don't believe >that it is enough money to be of concern, well - sorry - but I find it useless
>trying to debate with those that deny the sky is blue or that the sun rises in
>the east ....

I've missed the rest of this thread, but I have two cents on this issue. I was un- or under-employed from 1992 to 1994. During this time, I received General Assistance and Food Stamps. I could not get a computer job, because I didn't have the right skills to be employable where I was. OTOH, with a CS degree from Brown, I couldn't get hired by convenience stores, either.

I have never done drugs.
I rarely drink -- I think I had more beer at WhilFest than in the past 2 years.
My gambling is restricted to the state lottery, and not that frequently.

Any more comments you'd like to make on the poor?