Is this a real article?  Seems like the writer just keeps repeating that rich people live well and poor people don't; this article can be transposed to any city in the world.  Really -- what a waste of space.
And to the previous poster, I'm with you, lets try to close the gap between classes, but lets not exaggerate abo ut the state of the city.  You will not get killed if you end up in the wrong neighborhood.  Crime in america (and that includes Los Angeles) is at a 50 year low, look at the statistics.  The murder rate in Russia (home of our beloved rt.com) is 2 and a half times higher than it is by us.  Go to Watts; yes it's crummy, but every city has unsavory parts.  But you'll be fine, I promise you -- gangsters fight wars with other gangsters, not with the outsiders that they're trying to sell drugs too.  Don't be silly, do a little reading.  Have you even been?  I doubt it if you think "going to Watts" equals "getting killed."  Look at the police blotter, it's such a ridiculous thing to think.  Or maybe you're just young and full of energy, which is a good thing I suppose.
And of course, we have to take care of the homeless, that's easier said than done, I actively support any efforts with money and action to give the homeless a chance to get back on their feet.
And Oscar, no need to feel sorry for Americans, life is quite comfortable and happy here, and I'm not one of the rich folks.  People smile, go out on the weekends, take walks in the park, and all the other normal things.  Also your statistics are really incorrect, chronically homeless is around 100,000 people, depending on your source.  That's in a country of  over 300 million people!  Other, higher numbers relate to transitional homeless, people who need a place to stay but get back on their feet.  Still we're not talking about any number even close to 50 million (we're talking about 600,000 on a given night, something like that, even if you doublt that, it's nothing like 50 million).  Don't spread bad information.  Of course, as Americans (and humans) we should always keep trying to improve.  But I won't forget that I wake up everyday happy, all while living in the strange, interesting, and diverse cultural fabric of Los Angeles.

What????? Paul??????
You don't remember the L.A. riots? You haven't seen 'flash-mobs' on U-Tube? Obviously, you've never taken a wrong turn in L.A. driving your big black 7-series Beemer... End up in the wrong neighborhood and YOU WILL GET KILLED....or beaten severely ...or your car stolen....OR ALL THREE.......Why?.... ..Because some gangster wants what you have.  THAT is a class war.....Not tanks, airplanes, missiles , generals....You obviously just don't get it.

The thing is, the wealthy earned that money with their blood and sweat. Yes, it is sad to see so many homeless, but until some voluntarily starts helping them out more there is really no reason to get angry. Sure, they ought to help but it is their right to deny helping anyone. Remember, America was founded on the principles of freedom, and to force someone to help someone else is not freedom. This whole article is propaganda, meant to turn people against wealth so that we can be pushed more into a socialist culture structure. Get the government out of the business of spoon feeding, then we can cut useless, bloated government agencies and then maybe people will start to act more responsible and be more voluntary with their gains to help others. Until we stop encouraging the "bailout" mindset nothing will ever change.