What can poor people do right now to have a better economic future?

The poor can do a few things.....the first is get a job - at first any kind of job then start to work their way up management programs. Once you become a manager you can work many more places then just as an average employee.

Also school. Do good in high school, get FAFSA (government loans or scholarships or grants) and go to college and get a degree.

Get a craft - carpenter, construction worker (they make a lot), plumber, electrician, etc. They may or may not have college degrees (my step father doesn't and he's a handyman and makes good money) and you can still earn good money.

The poor are rarely discussed, because in my humble opinion America doesn't want to face the fact that the poor even exist. The media, government, etc. act as if poverty is something we faced in the past, but that no longer exists. Which is a lie.

Most people will tell you education is the key, but education isn't cheap and even with government grants a good education isn't always attainable for the truly poor. Government loans are also difficult to obtain without credit history (which many poor do not have) and in today's economy loans are becoming even harder to secure.

As you said, the rich are being bailed out by the working class. That is what the poor do. Bail the rich out of the fire. That is seemingly the only future that they will have. But how long can they do this? How long can those with less resources be expected to sustain those with more? It doesn't add up and it is partly why, in my opinion, the economy is having trouble.

The best that they can do is to try to hold on to what little they have.

By poor I'm assuming the down and out, those that either are homeless or soon will be. Because the definition of middle class today is not too much better than that. Everybody just needs to buy cheap and brace for impact. Because sooner or later we're going to take a huge dip like we did in the Great Depression, and we might not recover like we did last time. The world is angry with us and we're vulnerable for the first time in a while. Enjoy every day and do as much as you can with your life because the world is in denial of the chaos that has enveloped it.

Being poor is a social class not just an income and it is difficult to get a well paying job if you seem poor. Going to school if they can but there are many fun and educational things to do that are free in cities but most poor people do not take advantage of them.

They don't stand much of a chance. They will continue to be poor. And Mr. messianic Obama can't change that , neither can anyone else. There have always been poor, middle class, and the rich. It will never change.

The only thing that will change it is if Obama becomes president and starts handing our hard working tax money out to poor people (mostly well-far recipients) and in that case the whole country will go down hill. Damn socialist.

Marx said that there must be unity of the working classes - both the poor and the middle class should unite and demand that their issues are addressed.

Honestly, the rich are always going to be stepping on someone. For the poor people to try and ensure that it's not them, though...maybe they could try and get better education.

by poor, who are you talking about? there are no poor people in america. All the poor people are outside of america. you can at least let them have a job cause they are eager to work.

It depends on whom you talk to and what you research, but more importantly it depends on what you believe. What values you hold that are important to you that matters more than any opinions/facts given because you know yourself and what issues you struggle with daily.

In response to your question, I think the biggest thing poor people can do is reduce their debt level. I know this is harder than it is to bring forth, but I know from experience that uncontrollable debt can lead to financial difficulties. Pay off your bills and do not purchases you can not afford to settle.

I also know there is a website called Crown Financial Ministries that offers financial advice/planning from a Biblical point of view. I do not know what your religious values, but I followed some of their advice to help me through issues to find it was helpful. I recommend sticking with Christian counselors, not to be preachy, but I find them most helpful because of the stuff I believe.

Also, the greatest suggestion I found from my life is to aspire to be more and to do more, but also be content with your lot in life. True contentment comes from knowing who you and appreciating what you have. Think in terms of necessity.

I know this may sound like a cliche, but happiness does not come from ownership of fancy things instead it comes when you are able to sleep at night knowing you have hope.

I am currently unemployed, and I have a mortgage and bills to pay; but I know my GOD provides. He is with me throughout my struggle and bless me with the right position in the near future. I do not know what you are issues are, but I know GOD cares.

Sad to say, but they are stuck! With the world being the way it is... ::Shakes head:: Where i live it is so hard for people to find jobs.... I just don't know. All i know is If another Republican gets in office, its just gonna get worse.