I just don't agree that a dependable vehicle has to equal a loan payment. I also don't agree that a family of 4 will drink a gallon of milk a day, they will suffer calcium deposits if they do
Families can and do feed themselves on less than 500 a month. Its about choices.
What daycare charges 1000 a week for 2 kids? Thats crazy, and I have one in daycare. The US government gives you back a 5000 dollar daycare credit (available to most everybody). It isn't much, but it was put in the tax codes decades ago.
Like I said, people are learning these lessons every day. The other solution is to raise the crap out of everybody's income. I guess you could wait around for the government to do that for you, or you could just do it yourself. I've never relied on the government for that sort of thing, and I pray I never have to.
People really are living beyond their means. Why should the government step in to help them live even further beyond their means?