Dave - if you keep that attitude then you will never get anywhere.

When you finished your manual job for 30 years what did you do? go home, pub, watch TV, shop and so on?

I sacrificed years of my life- no formal degree or qualifications in my field. I worked and studied 24/7 from piles of 800 page textbooks sacrificing my life to get to where I wanted to be and not yet done- dont even own a TV as 'making something of myself' is more important than Eastender or the pub.

My career was built on damn hard work and clever strategy. It was done with integrity, didnt step on anyone along the way and can hold my head up high.

I met MANY who still do the job I did with them at that time- no matter how much I tried to motivate them (and god knows I did) they just didn't have it in them.

We live in a capitalist society- if you work harder then the guy next to you then you shall succeed- but only if you actually try!

The fact that you are going for the poverty angle but know little of my views or indeed other non-manual earners on these and other topics says a lot about yourself and how little you know of the human nature. I suggest you read a few books, talk to wiser people than both of us and expand your mind.