if poverty can be multi-generational , than so can entitlement especially in areas like the land of 2 broadways and parts of dorchester. hey, if certain cultures can say SALUD, before throwing one down, is it any wonder in the 2 areas mentioned above that one can say"HERE'S MUD IN YOUR SSI.",before ,after and while imbibing. ma

Very good column. Poverty has never been reduced by government handouts. People do come to Boston for the opportunity it provides, and that is a very good thing.

No matter how you fram it wide income disparity and poverty aren't beneficial in any way for anyone.

This is a terribly misleading headline -- he is clearly not saying inequality isn't bad, he is saying improving education is the best way to fix it.

The rich will always be with us.

INCOME DISPARITY = oBAMA CLASS WARFARE

You mean "Boston will be doing its part to fight INequality on a global and national level."? Do you read your articles before they are published? So let me get this straight: 1) Inequality is OK because the poor in Boston are mostly immigrants, and immigrants are necessary to grow cities. 2) Redistribution of wealth is OK by the federal government because it doesn't cause white flight. 3) Boston needs to do a better job of educating its immigrant poor (what a revelation! you've opened my eyes!). I don't think you have a firm grasp on what you're trying to say here. How the F did you become a Harvard professor? I read your book and it is basically a bunch of blanket statements based on your subjective views on cities. Some empirical data mixed with your own value judgments shouldn't be publishable as a contribution to the field of urban studies.

Ed let me guess, you arte either working woth the Romney Presedential campaign, or you are a Senior Officer at State Street Corporation in Boston? Right?

Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge, China under Mao, North Korea today, Cuba under the Castro brothers. Would you want to live in one of these egalitarian societies?