I think a whole lot of them don't bother to learn a valuable skill, or just won't work a low level job. I've done some horrible jobs for minimum wage & worked out of it because I was motivated. If they're not motivated somehow, then (if they're not too disabled) they are "content" to live off welfare, their girlfriend, their friends & relatives who will take them in, and/or crime. I see lots of that in my job. AND they have kids who often keep the cycle going. My wife & I both were born into poor households & we worked up into the top 10% of income. I don't want to pay taxes for "dweebs" but I am willing to pay some taxes to lift up motivated people.