I haven't read the comments from those validating that list of "poor is," but having once been poor, I absolutely can validate that list.

I've slept under cars, and under bushes. I stayed with an abusive drunk who spent food and rent money on booze, because I couldn't afford to do anything else...I had a baby. (gasp! that's prostitution!)

I stole cough syrup for my sick baby. I dropped 40 pounds in 30 days, because I was breast-feeding, and the only thing I had to eat was tortillas (one a day).

Sitting here tonight with a computer and a DSL account doesn't change that.

now that i've ranted...

I like your work here. I only discovered it the other day, and liked it so much I bookmarked it. Thanks for being out here.

I did say I was cynical and I do believe that most people who read the post and agreed with it were stating from the point of view I have -- we are sympathetic but have never experienced a lick of poverty in our lives.

and i will see if i can re-attach these to the poor post.

p.s. thanks :)