Poor neighborhoods, poor families

I read your article about the split personality of Indy with interest (Hoppe, “Split Personality,” July 26-Aug. 2).

I have one problem though. The rent-to-owns and payday loan shops and pawn shops are not really taking advantage of the community as much as they are serving a community who wants these businesses. So in effect they are a gauge of the community.

I taught in the inner city from 1977 to 1990 and have owned rental properties and had an insurance agency for 20-plus years. My experience with the "poor" would make one cry. It is simply a lack of education and in many cases drive that causes so much of this.

I really feel for the children involved in these situations, especially, and we as a society cannot continue to ignore it or try to make it go away with money. I could tell you stories that would sicken you with living conditions and constant moving from parents who simply do not know how to be parents in any way, shape or form.

The answers come from having the next generation with a better education and moral upbringing. As much as people made fun of Newt Gingrich for his boys’ school idea, in some ways he was right that an intervention somehow into these children's lives would be much more effective than continuing to give money to their irresponsible parents and guardians.

Mark Phillippe
Indianapolis