Agreed. It is a serious problem.
There are several problems to deal with imho.
First, as was pointed out on the listserve, is the poor wage structure in general.
In a land where a gallon of milk runs about $5 and gasoline is approaching that, a $10/hr wage just won't cut it.
The average worker nowadays has little chance at home ownership.
Secondly, the cost of utilities is also far greater than they should be.
Both electricity and propane seem to absorb a large and increasingly larger chunk of folks monthly income.
One can probably chart the rising costs of utilities vs the non existent raises in pay and see that problem clearly.
In MY opinion, the problem is also exacerbated by the large banks and our monetary policies at the highest level.
BofA, Chase and the rest of the money 'businesses' have no desire to see folks get ahead.
It is all take take take (fees fees fees) from them.
The sad fact that to even consider philanthropic development underscores the above situation. We screwed if we have to rely on the generosity of say the Koch bros. The only thing I have ever seen trickle down from the top is rhetoric.
The root is still an economic one. As as already been noted, the basic costs and red tape involved in building/buying has become an impediment to all but the wealthiest.
I find it difficult to imagine a scenario where the typical blue-collar American family could actually work enough and save enough to capture the 'American Dream' AND raise a couple kids.
Not mention the financially strapped school systems around the country. Yikes.
Meanwhile, GE once again pays zero taxes.
McDonald's, Wally-mart and the like continue to reap huge annual profits at the expense of both its workers and of the taxpayer.
We The People ultimately have to step in to provide additional support in the way of food stamps and other life requirements.
Solutions are around and they are obvious.
Implementing any of them in the face of a such a strong opposition to raising a standard quality of life will be difficult.
It seems as if the powers that be do not have that as a goal in mind.
Never mind all of that. America needs to spent many more millions or even billions in Iraq and on warmongering right now!
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