I was born in 1937 during the great depression. We didn't have much, except always ate good because we had a ranch with a garden, milk cows, pigs and chickens.
I grew up without indoor plumbing, electricity or central heat. I started helping with the ranch chores at age 8. We had no tractor and farmed only with horses.
Of course, we had no medical insurance, but 4 of the 5 kids got to be 18 years old without ever seeing a doctor.
I graduated from high school in 1954 and enlisted in the Army. I was an infantryman on the East German Frontier when I was 17.
After discharge, I intended to return to the ranch and join my brother in running it. He was impossible to work with.
After an arguement, I got into the car, drove to Boulder, Colorado and enrolled at the University of Colorado. Got married so had to work, too.
Graduated in 1961.
Went to work for big oil as an accountant. We continued our frugal ways, loosening up with the cash as our income increased. Stayed with Big Oil until I was 49 and retired, with no intention of working for anyone else. Built the house we are living in today.
Looking for something to do, ended up buying a ranch in Eastern Colorado, which we still have. It had about 350 cows on it when we bought it in 1994 and now has over 750.
The point of all this is that America is the place of opportunity. By taking opportunities and getting an education, we have gone from a very poor beginning to having anything we want or need..
People who claim to be victims of circumstances have the opportunity to climb out of poverty and be as good as they want to be.