[dragonwriter]

I've been poor, too (spent years in my youth in a family on public assistance and in public housing.)

I too got an education (mostly in public policy), now work in software, and am now in far better socioeconomic status.

I don't find the GP's description of the causes of poverty accurate -- or even internally consistent, nor do I see GP's background (or my own) as some kind of privileged position to comment on the issue from.