I like the question: Is it a sin to be poor in America. In all honesty, it seems that way. America is seen by many as the land of opportunity. It is, but it is also a harsh, predatory culture. America is a showcase of all the glories as well as everything that is gory about free market capitalism. I find it ironic how it is so hard to qualify to rent int this country, yet homelessness will almost get you stoned in the Biblical sense of the term. Capitalism has its merits, but compassion and spirituality is not among those merits. IMHO

Landlords have to protect their investment. It is not their role to be a church or homeless shelter. I see nothing amiss in wanting proof of ability to pay. They have payments too.

Back when I was once unemployed but had a lot of money in the bank due to the profit from the sale of my house, I offered many apartment complexes to pay a year in advance, enough to cover the entire lease they wanted me to sign. All of them refused. WTF? It was enough to make me want to move to a socialist country.

(Lyrics by Bob Dylan) Dear Landlord Dear landlord Please don’t put a price on my soul My burden is heavy My dreams are beyond control When that steamboat whistle blows I’m gonna give you all I got to give And I do hope you receive it well Dependin’ on the way you feel that you live Dear landlord Please heed these words that I speak I know you’ve suffered much But in this you are not so unique All of us, at times, we might work too hard To have it too fast and too much And anyone can fill his life up With things he can see but he just cannot touch Dear landlord Please don’t dismiss my case I’m not about to argue I’m not about to move to no other place Now, each of us has his own special gift And you know this was meant to be true And if you don’t underestimate me I won’t underestimate you Copyright © 1968 by Dwarf Music; renewed 1996 by Dwarf Music

I moved into a house that had no washer and dryer. I brought mine with me. When it came time to move, I listed my washer and dryer for sale because I was moving into a condo and had no room for them. All I could sell was the dryer. I left the washer to my old landlord. After I moved out, he called me and wanted to know why I took his dryer. Talk about balls!!!

I've taken three landlords to small claims court over getting my deposit back, and I won every time.

\"Them belly full, but we're hungry.\" ~Bob Marley

You know, I don't think landlords should have the right to look at ones credit history. If someone already has a proven track record of renting then that should be all that is required. If they have no history then and only then should a landlord be able to look at someones credit....

How is that legal? We are not applying for credit.