[LouisVanDerWright]

^^^ I don't think you can say the kind of institutionalized poverty that Chicago has is "a byproduct of capitalism" or the problem would be equaled in every other capitalist city. Chicago's problem is much more heavily tied to the racial history of the United States than it is to capitalism. You could say the poverty in the immigrant communities in Chicago is just capitalism, but the african american population has undoubtedly been marginalized and abused for a very long time simply because of race and the fact is that it is very very hard to break that ingrained problem.

I think that it does no one any good to allow the problem to fester when we can make simple changes that can gradually, over time, at least give these people an equal shot at success. I'm strictly against handouts, etc., but basic reforms like ending the war on drugs and doing our best to allow the brightest students to get out through things like magnet schools.