Your observation has a few logical flaws.

Immigration policies attracted workers from different countries according to skill requirements. If you looked at immigrant workers, you might have made the observation that Porteguese workers tended to be work in construction careers and not proceed to advanced education. If you made this observation, you would not be correct in concluding that Portuguese in general were not just as capable of others in succeeding at advanced education. It is just that policies attracted individuals for the purpose of meeting a skills shortage in construction. Likewise, many migrants to the USA or other countries tend to be the cream of the crop of these other nations and they get selected because they are skilled. It is incorrect to make the statement that somehow native white-men are less capable at making-it because a) they are more numerous and you are bound to see more examples of white men on the streets because of this and b) you are not comparing individuals with the same education and skill attainment.

While you are correct in saying that the poor in industrialized nations are better off than those in developing countries - this advantage can change, especially if social supports are removed and individuals are left without access to basic necessities. A woman in Indonesia may maim her child in order for it to be a more effective beggar. You do not see her or her child in America because they have been screened out by policy requirements.

“If you’re always trying to create value in what you do and you make good choices throughout life, you’ll never have to worry about standing on a corner, begging for money.”

The above statement is a myth. Make a list of what these good choices are and I will provide you with examples that are exceptions to your rule. There is a lot of valuable work that no one is willing to pay for: house work, taking care of less fortunate. The world never has shortage of work but it does have a shortage of people willing to pay for every service that is needed.