Born stupid? If you honestly have no compassion for people who are born with mental health problems, then I don't know why I'm talking to you. People become who they are partially because of their nature (genetics and situation surrounding their birth) and partially because of their nurture. If one generation makes a bad mistake, the children in the next generation will take the bullet when they did nothing wrong. Yes, you may be able to get out of poverty, but the situation surrounding the person in question may prevent it. Your argument assumes that all education is equal, but it isn't. Hell, I've seen some terrible public schools that can't teach anything to the students. Those kids aren't going to know how to start a business; they don't even know the value of hard work. I don't have sympathy for people who whine and do nothing to help themselves, but I do care for people who are actively trying to help themselves, but their initial position prevents progression. I don't think Sanders is entirely realistic in his goals, but I do think that universal healthcare and higher level education would help set each generation on equal footing. Everything past that is up to the individual's discretion. If someone screws up their life, it is their own fault (most of the time), but the government should try to help (not through handouts, but an example for drug addiction is rehab - Clinton had a good solution for that if you saw the Democratic debate), while the children of said person should not face the consequences of the person's terrible life decisions. This would be proper equal opportunity. You start with good education and health care, and after that you make your own decisions about what to do with your life. If you want to become a business owner and be rich, good for you. If you want to live small and be a simple writer, that's cool too. Edit: Also, parents don't always teach their children how to be successful. While it is true that it is the parent's fault, a better education system would help keep kids on the right track to success by their own hands.