Not to glorify Obama here as he is young and hasn't got a lot on his resume for a presidental candidate, but with 26 years in the Senate and that's all you can remember about McCain? I also remember the McCain that was caught up in the S&L scandals of the 80s. I also recall him as practically the lone Republican that went against Bush on the torture issue. My biggest problem with McCain, is that he is a career politician, just like the rest. It wasn't even all that long ago that he was taking care of his campaign donors. Here's a fun link: http://www.washingtonpost...8/AR2008050803494_pf.html . Does the idea that McCain stands for change mean he is going to reform his own ways of the past 26 years and turn into a different person? I think not.

Obama has his own strange shady looking deal involving land which I don't quite understand yet. His main advantage is that he hasn't had the extra 20 years to become as connected and corrupt as McCain.

The actual causes and actual definition of poverty both change regularly and quickly. In the U.S. today it is obvious that a lack of education is a leading contributor. The social status one is born in is also a large factor. Advancements in technology are also a leading cause of poverty. I find it interesting that people view those in poverty as young, irresponsible, lazy people. A very large chunk of those in poverty are senior citizens, who come from a generation from the "good ole days".