Then why do they work? The whole economy there runs on the threat of starving. With the horrible work conditions poor people face there, they would not work in those conditions if they were unable to starve.

[–] Manmoth@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Many of them don't work and live in public housing. The ones who do work do so to have a higher quality of life. Living off of government handouts is not glamorous. Public housing complexes and inner city slums are notoriously crime ridden. The overwhelming majority of non-suicide gun deaths occur in these areas due to drug addiction etc.

The rural poor have similar problems but there is far less violence.