It is easy to feel all warm and mushy over the misfortunes of others - an emotional luxury that is confined to the rich Westernized countries, I might point out.
In Bangladesh, and many, many other countries our down trodden wheelchair helpers would be envied for their incredible good luck.
And the street beggars of Marrakesh and the trash pickers of Pakistan would not be able to comprehend your point.
The reality is that in the 21st Century developed countries you have to have a skill set to sell if you want to rise above poverty. Bad choices in life result in bad outcomes.
In the sheet hole 3rd world countries being born to poverty stricken parents is a life sentence - convicted before you were even born. These are the folks I have some sympathy for.
Not so in the USA, Canada, Britain, Europe, etc. Lacking an education or a skill that is valuable to some employer is a choice. Refusing to think through the outcome of dropping out of school early on, choosing to spend your youth getting high or stoned, gang banging, getting a criminal record, and lots more bad choices, all of these are avoidable. They do not tend to ring my sympathy bell.
I just had the truck washed and cleaned yesterday. The two regular wipe-down guys at the car wash were there. Late 40's in age. Broken blood vessels in their faces from decades of alcohol. Worn clothes their shoes falling apart. Wiping down wet cars in a 28 degree wind blowing in through the plastic ribbon curtain over the exit door. At least they are working. I always tip them a couple of bucks. But I have no illusions. That money is going straight to the liquor store after work. There is no help for them and sympathy will not change their world.
