There obviously is a substantial underclass of shady characters populating the levels of society in the Republic below... well, Senators and Jedi knights. What with all the death stick sellers, and smugglers, and bounty hunters, and people who other people must presumably be taking out bounties on, and gamblers, and slave traders, and so on and so forth. It makes you wonder if the days of the Republic were really that great for anyone other than the ruling classes...

Transcript

Zam Wessel: Look, I'm sorry. I've got nothing against the Senator. It was just a job. I... I need the money.
Anakin: The law is the law.
Zam Wessel: My son is sick. I can't afford the operation he needs.
Obi-Wan: Surely a civilisation like this has universal health care.
Zam Wessel: There's a whole underclass down here on the streets, doing the menial, dirty jobs for a pittance. We've fallen through the cracks.
Anakin: You're making me cry.
{they go outside, Obi-Wan supporting Zam}
Zam Wessel: And you destroyed my window-cleaning droid! Now how am I going to feed my boy?
Obi-Wan: {to Anakin} Oh Anakin, did you pick up her hand before we left the bar?
{silent beat as Zam stares at Obi-Wan}
Obi-Wan: {to Zam} Oh. That wasn't related to your last question, by the way.