You know, I’ve always wondered if local sexpot was thrown from that balcony for his anti-establishment and “eat the rich” positions. I think he was too dangerous to them. Tragic loss for the rest of us.

Those common people are the clay of the land…

In a previous life I was a mortgage loan officer at a broker. I bent over backwards helping folks get into those programs whenever possible. I was impressed with how little was needed when everything slotted in place in some cases. Glad it worked for you too!

Speaking to the post, I feel like there is a tipping point between OP and your points and the post is showing that. If you can convince the bank to loan you the money somehow you then start to build more capital which can pull you out of being “poor”. There are many variables and wildly varying degrees of this scenario, but once you start your ownership experience, some people can work it quite hard and build enough capital to own multiple residences and rent them out. (Those already in possession of capital are out of scope of OPs post.)

Rent is paying the landlord for everything every month. No repairs lately? Too bad, you’ll still pay for the possibility. The exchange is that you should never worry about repairs (or taxes) as the landlord handles everything. Once the landlord figures his margins are too tight, they raise the rent. Lots of variables here too and that makes blanket statements about which is better more difficult. I advocate home ownership, but I feel terrible for young people. Runaway greed by those that already had the capital has changed things. The young folks I know that are able to manage it all had help from relatives.

The act of convincing the bank and owning a home is getting more and more difficult. Impossible in many places and improbable in others without Herculean efforts. OPs post expresses this perspective.

I remember the hand-wringing about Cassini prior to its launch. The probe survived launch from Earth fine, but Saturn got the materials in the end (I also remember people stating that we polluted Saturn without the Saturnian’s consent).

I believe several RTGs have been recovered from failed launches intact and without leakage, so I agree it can be done.

Last time I checked on that one, the opposition to the idea was focused on the risks of nuclear fallout from a failed launch.

Technically they made four.

https://haha.business/

“Fred Flintstone is a family man - he works hard and provides a very good living for his wife, Wilma, and daughter, Pebbles. Looking to expand beyond ‘construction’ with a couple of small, side businesses, Fred seeks legal advice from Harvey. The case is seemingly a simple matter until the Feds start questioning the legitimacy of Fred’s business dealings and his possible ties to the Mob.<BR><BR> Harvey, oblivious as always, refuses to see Fred as anything but an honest working stiff, struggling to provide for his family. That is, until he’s made consigliere.”

I loved that episode.