Say what you will about anything else, but if you have never been there, I don't think many of you could understand the crippling, unbelievable poverty that exists in West Virginia that the author somehow managed to claw his way out of. It's the kind of multigenerational poverty where all economic activity in the area seems to have ceased completely. There aren't any "beggars" because there is no one to beg from. Dwellings are often made from found materials in the area. Especially if you are from the West Coast or the North East, you might find it hard to believe that places like this exist within the United States.

In these areas, if you happen to secure a job that makes in the 30k's, you are several standard deviations above the baseline and you are probably taking care of your entire extended family.

These areas are, by and large, completely ignored and abandoned by our country. They are things we don't want to look at, because it hurts our sense of national pride and national identity. It hurts our narrative of the "American Dream", because the American Dream does not exist or apply here.

This is not to say that the people here are not hard working and industrious, as much as they can be. But the lack of economic mobility in these areas is intense.

It's hard to understand the difference an unconditional 500 dollars per month would be here.

Perhaps you think most people would waste the money. Even if you are right, some would not -- and the some who would not are now not responsible for those who choose not to, and those bright stars can possibly break free of the situation they are in.

Huge kudos to the author for beating all the odds and still remembering where he came from.

If you have it in you, I would invite you to visit Charleston, WV sometime. Get a car and drive around. It is beautiful country, the area could use the tourism revenue, and it will certainly not be an experience you will forget.