View Full Version : homeless people
White & Nerdy
08-17-2007, 06:28 PM
If a homeless person asks me for money, I start talking in Chinese and say I can't understand them.
gingerlee
08-17-2007, 06:35 PM
If a homeless person asks me for money, I start talking in Chinese and say I can't understand them.
Yeah that's awesome. I'm sure they really find humor in that. ::) Please refer to the posts about homeless people still being PEOPLE. Geez.
He and a few others that posted on this ( well maybe one other ) are trolls.
This is why the block feature is so awesome.
we've been reinvaded by some trolls that have been lurking for awhile.
DylanAngel
08-17-2007, 06:48 PM
Them helping me with a few things keeps me out of the strip clubs at 31.
Did I miss something? Is there something wrong with stripping at 31? Is dancing something your parents have to "keep you away from"? If that is your attitude, then what in the world are you doing on this site? A SUPPORT site for strippers?
And I give my daughter everything she asks for as well. But she also went to school and has a fantastic job at 20. I would be horrified if she turned out like you. 31 and still taking help from Mommy and Daddy is DEFINITELY something to be proud of.::)
CupCake
08-17-2007, 06:50 PM
Alright this thread is getting out of control...
^ honestly I think we NEEDED a thread like this. A lot of personalities and attitudes have shown forth in this., and in doing so it sorta brings new light to some of "their" issues they ask for advice on.
NatalieFRPhilly
08-17-2007, 07:11 PM
I didn't read this except for the main question. Ever since my mother admonished me when I was little for giving cash to homeless people ( I gave out all my money I'd saved for souviners from the zoo to them lol.) I've just given them left over food instead. Once when I was feeling charitable there was a 2/1.00 pretzels and there was a homeless man outside so I bought 2 one for him one for me. I am sad to say I don't really go out of my way though.
kandie_kitten
08-17-2007, 07:40 PM
I think this thread was very educational about some people's true nature's. And I think it helped some, who were honestly unaware, break stereotypes of homelessness.
Sidebar...When did being a stripper at 31 become something to be embarassed about, and taking pay-outs from your parents at 31 something to brag about?
PaigeDWinter
08-17-2007, 07:44 PM
If a homeless person asks me for money, I start talking in Chinese and say I can't understand them.
And well.... that just makes you a huge fucking douchebox loser.
Sidebar...When did being a stripper at 31 become something to be embarassed about, and taking pay-outs from your parents at 31 something to brag about?
Word. I have a bit over a year till 31 and if I am still groovy enough to do it? Eff yes.
kandie_kitten
08-17-2007, 07:50 PM
Well, to be honest Paige, you are an oddity. Women aren't supposed to be as hot as you!
But seriously, as long as a woman keeps her body and her attitude rocking, I don't see an age limit to stripping.
josie
08-17-2007, 07:51 PM
I never give money to homeless people. I do, however, regularly donate time and money to shelters and assistance agencies. I think that is a better way of combatting homelessness.
This website is especially telling. http://snowsuit.net/
Vyanka
08-17-2007, 08:20 PM
Well, as a kid I remember I always use to ask my dad to buy me restaurant food & would never eat it all. I use to be a picky eater as a child (Barely ate dinner at home, didn't like anyone's home cooked meals).
That always bothered my parents(my mom always struggling for me to eat at least half of my dinner), and they always told me to remember that there are other ppl out there, who are dying of hunger. And that I was fortunate to have a roof over my head with a hot meal on the table. And i'd ask for this food & never finished it & just threw it away like nothing.
Well, that guilt trip got me one time. One night after my parents took me to eat Chinese food my dad drove under this bridge where this homeless man use to sleep. Huddle, with his dog and cane. And on my lap, I had left over Chinese food that I barely touched. It was a red light, and my dad suggested for me to give him my food. He rolled down the window, I called him and said here. That man was the sweetest thing, and thanked me so many times. I felt real good about it.
Every time we saw him, we'd give him Mc'Donalds(the bridge is across the street from it), or whatever I barely ate. lol. :P It never failed, until we never saw him again. :(
So yeah, til that day I give whatever I can give. Whether it be pocket change, or offer to buy something from the corner store.
Vyanka
08-17-2007, 08:23 PM
BTW Paige and Tart, i'm so sorry you girls went through that. :-* Your stories touched me too, esp. that card part. Made me teary eyed as well.
PaigeDWinter
08-17-2007, 08:58 PM
BTW Paige and Tart, i'm so sorry you girls went through that. :-* Your stories touched me too, esp. that card part. Made me teary eyed as well.
I've gotten to the point in my life where I look at the bad shite I've been through, and hope to be able to use those experiences to either help others in similar states of being, or to at least enlighten those who might just not know. My curses have become semi-blessings. I feel like a much stronger person due to it too :)
miss marina
08-17-2007, 09:08 PM
I still give money unless they are very very rude(although i would rather buy food)..There is this one guy that hangs out outside the club. I give him socks, those fruit of loom(?) t shirts in bags(he likes them), boxers, etc. He LOVES getting new socks. it really makes his day. Every now and then when i see him I get him a room at this motel across the street..its only $27 a night and you get free breakfast so he orders 3 orders eats 2 of them and then saves one for the next day. Good guy..fell on some real hard times :( :-[
Kaylinn
08-17-2007, 09:34 PM
The stories I have read here have humbled me.
I feel ashamed for the lack of compassion I have shown.
I want to thank everyone who shared their stories for opening my eyes.
cameron_keys
08-17-2007, 11:24 PM
Did I miss something? Is there something wrong with stripping at 31? Is dancing something your parents have to "keep you away from"? If that is your attitude, then what in the world are you doing on this site? A SUPPORT site for strippers?
And I give my daughter everything she asks for as well. But she also went to school and has a fantastic job at 20. I would be horrified if she turned out like you. 31 and still taking help from Mommy and Daddy is DEFINITELY something to be proud of.::)
Seriously. I'm proud to say I work HARD for my money and support MYSELF. And I'm still hot enough at almost 34 to get paid a LOT for being pretty. Not something I feel mommy and daddy should save me from. Please..save me from having to work for a living and let me sit on my fat ass..wandering next door behind a bar once in awhile...and just support my grown adult able bodied ass.
And what exactly is the differance between taking handouts from mommy and handouts from strangers? I hope mommy makes you dance or SOMETHING for your money. After all..she worked hard for it so so should you.
This thread has been sadly enlightening.
Lysondra
08-17-2007, 11:28 PM
Also: who the hell can't support themselves after so many years of stripping? No back-up job plan? No savings? No investments?
Alia_of_the_Knife
08-17-2007, 11:37 PM
This thread has inspired me to go volunteer in a soup kitchen. Sadly, most of the soup kitchens here are run by religious nuts who always try to convert me whenever I try to help out. The project becomes less about feeding the homeless and more about "let's save poor little heathen Alia's soul". I have had th same issues when I worked as a wedding photographer for a year as well as when I would play the piano in a church on Sundays. (They can't deal with a non-beliver pianist but I just love to play.)
Any other ideas of how to help? It's far too warm in my area of the world right now to deliver blankets. Maybe food and water bottles would be a good idea? Give out bags so the homeless can carry stuff?
Also: who the hell can't support themselves after so many years of stripping? No back-up job plan? No savings? No investments?
lets see...
possibilites
useless boyfriends that they had to support
drug habits
no concept of the value of money
dancing only to upset mommy and daddy
short skirts
08-18-2007, 12:07 AM
Seriously. I'm proud to say I work HARD for my money and support MYSELF. And I'm still hot enough at almost 34 to get paid a LOT for being pretty. Not something I feel mommy and daddy should save me from. Please..save me from having to work for a living and let me sit on my fat ass..wandering next door behind a bar once in awhile...and just support my grown adult able bodied ass.
And what exactly is the differance between taking handouts from mommy and handouts from strangers? I hope mommy makes you dance or SOMETHING for your money. After all..she worked hard for it so so should you.
This thread has been sadly enlightening.
So it's OK to get paid for "being pretty" but me running my family business and actually working my ASS off isn't ok because my family helps me? Half of the things I bring to my current position I learned throughout my career as a dancer.
I do work hard. I work a hell of a lot harder than I do in the strip club being pretty getting handouts, maam.
I thought this thread was about homeless people?
If y'all wanna bitch about me & my life & the way I think & live then so be it. Start a new thread.
C ya.
NatalieFRPhilly
08-18-2007, 12:09 AM
you girls inspired me also...I haven't been able to sleep so I've been thinking about this all night. Someone mentioned things like getting light blankets, backpacks ect were really helpful when you were in a bad position. I was thinking if each of us strippers went to walmart and filled a backpack with stuff like shampoo, soap, q tips, bottle water, protein bars, underwear, socks, a blanket..whatever, it wouldn't be that costly to us, less then 100 but it would help some people. I am going to try to do this once a month. Thanks for this thread because sometimes I forget about everyone but myself.
cameron_keys
08-18-2007, 12:32 AM
If y'all wanna bitch about me & my life & the way I think & live then so be it. Start a new thread.
C ya.
Nobody would have said a word to you if you hadnt bragged about making homeless people dance for a dollar while you got handouts from your mom.
You honestly dont see why that would be offensive?
Kaylinn
08-18-2007, 12:42 AM
you girls inspired me also...I haven't been able to sleep so I've been thinking about this all night. Someone mentioned things like getting light blankets, backpacks ect were really helpful when you were in a bad position. I was thinking if each of us strippers went to walmart and filled a backpack with stuff like shampoo, soap, q tips, bottle water, protein bars, underwear, socks, a blanket..whatever, it wouldn't be that costly to us, less then 100 but it would help some people. I am going to try to do this once a month. Thanks for this thread because sometimes I forget about everyone but myself.
That's a good idea.
Actually..backpacks are kinda expensive, but the other stuff is ratehr cheap. If you could get donated backpacks, it would be much cheaper to fill them, then you could help several people at once, instead of just 1 or 2.
Espicially with school starting soon, all the kids are getting new backpacks and throwing out their old ones. If you could somehow organize a donation of old used backpacks....
You could go to the dollar store and fill them for under $20
BrunetteGoddess
08-18-2007, 12:48 AM
I do work hard. I work a hell of a lot harder than I do in the strip club being pretty getting handouts, maam.
Um, what?/:O Seriously.... strippers are in the club just to "look pretty and get HANDOUTS"???? What a disrespectful and ignorant thing to say, especially since you used to dance yourself.
Why ARE you on StripperWeb anyways if you hold us in such low regard???
I think she is right on one thing,she needs her own thread.
short skirts
08-18-2007, 02:04 AM
Nobody would have said a word to you if you hadnt bragged about making homeless people dance for a dollar while you got handouts from your mom.
You honestly dont see why that would be offensive?
I honestly don't have time for all this but to set the record straight, I NEVER bragged about "making homeless people dance for a dollar" OR getting handouts from my Mom. Whatever you misconstrued out of my context....so be it. I'm out. Later, got fun things to do with a sweet hott guy and my girl friend for the weekend- going to the biggest party in the country in a couple hours and need to pack.
Have a great weekend all.:)
Flame on!
short skirts
08-18-2007, 02:06 AM
Um, what?/:O Seriously.... strippers are in the club just to "look pretty and get HANDOUTS"???? What a disrespectful and ignorant thing to say, especially since you used to dance yourself.
Why ARE you on StripperWeb anyways if you hold us in such low regard???
Did you read what Cameron Keys wrote. Go on- see why I wrote that.
NEXT
PaigeDWinter
08-18-2007, 04:01 AM
you girls inspired me also...I haven't been able to sleep so I've been thinking about this all night. Someone mentioned things like getting light blankets, backpacks ect were really helpful when you were in a bad position. I was thinking if each of us strippers went to walmart and filled a backpack with stuff like shampoo, soap, q tips, bottle water, protein bars, underwear, socks, a blanket..whatever, it wouldn't be that costly to us, less then 100 but it would help some people. I am going to try to do this once a month. Thanks for this thread because sometimes I forget about everyone but myself.
There was a chick on LJ who was making a chronicle about her life as homeless.... Crystal Evans. She had suffered brain trauma from an accident and was unable to work. Such a sweet girl! She's back on her feet now, but I wish she had kept her journal open to the public, she had a lot of info on what folks need...
Backpacks at Walmart can start as low as $10... $20 being a decent price. Raid the sample size section of the store. Shampoo, soap, etc.... disposable razors are good too. The cup size Ramen are awesome. Just add water! Socks are always needed. Yay socks. OMFG when socks wear down it can get so old on the feetses!! Ummm lesse. If you give bars of soap, be sure to throw in some sort of zilock bag or sealable soap container for it after it's been used. Likewise for toothbrushes. If you're in an area that has noticable winters... a wool hat would rock.
If you don't want to work in a soup kitchen due to the "pressing religion" thinger, donate money or food to them instead.
Cheap umbrellas are good.
Gloves! Yay gloves in the winter.
If you see a homeless person who has no shoes or terribly worn shoes, ask their size... see if you can find them a new pair at a thrift shop. I've gotten shoes as cheap as a dollar. Same with sweaters, sweatshirts, etc...
See if your Walmart carries cheapish 3 or 5 packs of undies too.
A light blanket can be such a lifesaver, as was mentioned earlier in the thread. I have a few small ones from Walmart that were on sale for like, $10.
A lot of times, if someone who is homeless can't get their hands on new pants after major weight loss (which can happen so often when you only eat once a day or every other day), a belt comes in real handy!
If you see some homeless folks who are living in boxes or on concrete sidewalks, see if you cant find a cheap bathmat or floor mat. It may not be much, but its compact for travel and it is at least one layer between them and the cold ground.
Budai
08-18-2007, 04:25 AM
I'm so glad that when I was homeless, people didn't always assume I was a scam artist or a liar. Whew.
Now? I offer to buy them food or supplies if that's what they're seeking out. I try to never ignore them.
Right on, Paige!
So simple to do...yet so difficult for so many. You possess the spirit of the Boddhisatva (a Buddhist worthy of nirvana who postpones it to help others)... :goodvibes
DylanAngel
08-18-2007, 04:28 AM
Paige, thank you for all the suggestions.
I think my main problem is giving something to someone unless they ask. It's like a double edged sword. They might be too proud to ask and I feel like I'm hurting their dignity and being presumptuous by giving them something if they haven't asked.
Like it's been said, they're people and people still have pride. I walk on that fine line of wanting to give but not hurting someone's pride.
Maybe I should just give them a blanket or a pair of gloves and say that "I thought you could use these. If I'm mistaken, maybe you can pass them on to someone who can". Does that sound right or am I thinking too much again?
LilyLove
08-18-2007, 04:31 AM
My momma was homeless for about half of her life till she was 18 and joined the military, so I called her today to ask her about this stuff. She said beyond the basic needs like toiletries and clothing and blankets and stuff, she would have loved to have things like notebooks and pens and pencils and markers. These things seem ordinary, but she said it was wonderful to have a creative outlet to write and draw when she got the chance. She said especially those little pocket notebooks so she wouldn't have to worry about them being taken or losing them.
PaigeDWinter
08-18-2007, 04:31 AM
Maybe I should just give them a blanket or a pair of gloves and say that "I thought you could use these. If I'm mistaken, maybe you can pass them on to someone who can". Does that sound right or am I thinking too much again?
Yes! Very good idea. Or if you pass the same person on a daily basis? Take a moment to let them know that, if they DO need some stuff, to let you know. If you ever see a group of homeless.... pile some items into a box and simply drop it off next to them. You don't need to say a word. Just smile and wander off. :)
DylanAngel
08-18-2007, 04:41 AM
Yes! Very good idea. Or if you pass the same person on a daily basis? Take a moment to let them know that, if they DO need some stuff, to let you know. If you ever see a group of homeless.... pile some items into a box and simply drop it off next to them. You don't need to say a word. Just smile and wander off. :)
Thank you. Like someone said elsewhere in this thread, I am humbled.
Looks like this thread has opened some eyes. And hopefully we become a soothing balm, if not the solution, for a very sore subject.
Taylorlila
08-18-2007, 07:00 AM
Umm I did shake my ass for that dollar. Why on earth would I give my hard earned money away? At least do something for it. it doesn't have to be hard.
If you see it like that, than don't even bother. People give money to homeless people as an act of CHARITY, not to get some sort of sick, twisted amusment out of making a crippled man sing "yankee doodle". Charity is when you give for the sake of giving. Why on earth would you give your hard earned money away? Oh...I don't know, maybe because somebody needs it more than you. Lots of people give their hard earned money away, just to do a good deed.
But I'm sure you'll learn someday...karma has this funny little way of getting around to everyone that needs a little kick in the ass.
BrunetteGoddess
08-18-2007, 07:43 AM
Did you read what Cameron Keys wrote. Go on- see why I wrote that.
NEXT
Yes I did. I still don't think your comment was appropriate coming from someone who used to be in the industry.
Really SS. Your attitude is appalling.../:O
cameron_keys
08-18-2007, 08:05 AM
I honestly don't have time for all this but to set the record straight, I NEVER bragged about "making homeless people dance for a dollar" OR getting handouts from my Mom. Whatever you misconstrued out of my context....so be it. I'm out. Later, got fun things to do with a sweet hott guy and my girl friend for the weekend- going to the biggest party in the country in a couple hours and need to pack.
Have a great weekend all.:)
Flame on!
Misconstued. Ok...
[QUOTE=short skirts;1173626]I ask them to do something- like dance, sing, get naked, whatever. If I had to work for the money then they should too.
[QUOTE=short skirts]
[QUOTE=short skirts;1173626]"In fact I am spoiled. I live in a HUGE house that I pay very little for. I live next to my Mom's business. In fact, I don't dance as of two mos ago because I don't have to. My parents give me whatever I need that my bartending job doesn't pay for. "[QUOTE=short skirts]
End of threadjack. I'll not respond to this anymore. It just makes me too angry.
Mr Hyde
08-18-2007, 09:52 AM
Give a man fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for life.
Not saying that you should rush out and teach a bum to fish, but honestly...while it may make you feel good to put together a backpack with stuff in it, it might do more harm than good. The more you enable a person to not work, the longer they won't work.
Flame away...I know it's coming.
Budai
08-18-2007, 10:32 AM
The more you enable a person to not work, the longer they won't work.
Flame away...I know it's coming.
No flames here, Mr. H., just a :soapbox: moment. I assume your use of the term "bum" applies to a person who is unemployed AND homeless without immediate economic support.
I'm wondering if you've considered various other factors that "enable" homelessness, including:
- the systematic closing of mental hospitals by the Reagan Administration during the 1980s that multiplied the size of the homeless population and still has a "ripple effect" in 2007
- a lack of social support (people who'll let an individual or entire families crash at their pad "until things get better")
- mental illness and developmental disabilities
- substance abuse
- record levels of unemployment and inflation (economic instability)
- natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, tornadoes and earthquakes
IMO, the belief that a homeless person is undeserving of $1 or a backpack filled with care items from someone like sweet Paige is neither conservative nor elitist...just mean-spirited.
britt244
08-18-2007, 10:51 AM
Give a man fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for life.
Not saying that you should rush out and teach a bum to fish, but honestly...while it may make you feel good to put together a backpack with stuff in it, it might do more harm than good. The more you enable a person to not work, the longer they won't work.
Flame away...I know it's coming.
it's just that you don't know where they're coming from. you don't know their background. you don't know that with anybody.. and even if they are the person youre describing and most likely thinking of, say it is their fault, and whatever else. who cares? you still did something nice for someone else. that should make you feel good. if it doesnt, well...:-\ your post just kinda makes me sad, as ss's made me angry. but this whole thread makes me feel like i'm going to cry.
on a more positive note, i dont know if ive ever mentioned that my major is family studies. almost all of my upper level classes are community service oriented, and there's an organization meant for family studies majors, but anyone can join. they hold all sorts of events, like going to ronald mcdonald house and stuff like that. i wasnt part of it last semester, but i will be this semester (i'm embarrassed to say its because i have to, but this thread would have made me want to, anyway). there's this girl who always pushes to do fundraising for a large group of homeless people who live on a bunch of benches when you first enter the city. i'm not sure if they did anything last year, but i'll definately be on her side pushing for it if the idea comes up again.
Hatshepsut
08-18-2007, 10:51 AM
Don't even get me started on mental illness and the homeless. A lot of them would be fine with a caseworker and access to mental health services, as proven by Ginger Lee. However, thanks to this capitalist American healthcare system, a lot of them are stuck. A lot of them just need stabilization.
britt244
08-18-2007, 10:53 AM
Don't even get me started on mental illness and the homeless. A lot of them would be fine with a caseworker and access to mental health services, as proven by Ginger Lee. However, thanks to this capitalist American healthcare system, a lot of them are stuck. A lot of them just need stabilization.
i'm going to try not to take offense to this. that isn't true. it just isn't. its only true for SOME PEOPLE. do you know how hard it is for someone who is mentally ill to get by? ok. im not even getting into this.
Pretty_Penny
08-18-2007, 11:56 AM
i give money to homeless people all the time.
i do not, however, give money to people trying to run "my car broke down" scams or people who yell/harass me.
i dislike the way the american public (in general) treats the homeless and the schizophrenic.
about a third of the homeless population is schizophrenic. anyone who has watched someone fall victim to schizophrenia knows it's not a joke or a choice. it's a horrible disease that takes over a persons life and causes many of them to live in complete terror and paranoia.
most of them are "missing" because they've either wandered off from their families or their famlies have forgotten them. most of them can't get a job without very specific treatment and medication over a long period of time.
The homeless population is diverse: 22 percent of the homeless in urban areas work; 38 percent are families with children; 25 percent are children; 20 to 25 percent have a mentally illness; approximately 30 percent are drug or alcohol dependent; and 40 percent of homeless males are veterans (National Coalition for the Homeless, 1999).
you can find all sorts of facts here (many of which are not well known)
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/
look under "publications"
ExoticEngineer
08-18-2007, 11:59 AM
greenidlady, thank you for starting this thread, and Paige and Tart, thank you for all of your information.....After being enlightened by this thread, I got to talking with my hubby last night about this subject.
Here in Az, the temp reaches over 100 every day, during the summer we hardly ever see people doing the sign on the corner or walking the parking lots. When it cools off however, there are so many people, everywhere you look! So what happens to them in the summer I thought? So we took a drive last night.... and looked around. Really looked around.
We saw so many people! And kids! My man being somewhat of a railroad buff, we took a drive down the tracks, and we wound up talking to a guy who "rode the rails" for a while, when he felt like a change of scenery, he'd pack up his stuff, jump a car and take off. But the point of this was, here the summers are so scary, it's too hot to even be outside in the day, but obviously they are outside somewhere.
My man works with the sherrif here, and will go to events and teach people about what to do to survive outside in the Az heat, we decided to apply that info, and get some stuff together to give out next week.
Paige, Tart, if either of you have any ideas on what else to give, please let me know...so far we have this;
closable water bottles,
T-shirts,
sunscreen,
hats,
travel toothbrushes (the kind that fold in half and have a cover)
travel tooth paste,
sunglasses,
fanny packs, you know the kind you wear around your waist?
most of this stuff we can pick up at the dollar store, for really really cheap. I don't have a ton of money to put into it right now, but if I use 20 bucks, and he uses 20 bucks, that can get a lot of stuff, and if someone else were to join in and put 20 bucks, etc...
I can't even tell you how much this thread rocked my perception of homeless v.s. scam artists.
I also had the idea of asking the moms of my kid's friends if they would get together all their kid's clothes they had grown out of and back packs and shoes and stuff, boys and girls, and load them in the back of my man's truck and take those out too.
I couldn't believe how many kids I saw last night..... so many.....
Pretty_Penny
08-18-2007, 12:01 PM
and as far as that "you're helping them with their alcoholism" or whatnot arguement...
most homeless people who are addicts became addicts AFTER they became homeless -or- became addicts because of a factor that contributes to their homelessness ...such as a mental or physical illness.
the able-bodied alcoholic who drinks himself into homelessness is -not- the typical homeless alcohol.
plus, alcoholism is a problem with -many- people across the board regaurdless of income or status.
Pretty_Penny
08-18-2007, 12:05 PM
and that whole "get a job" thing.........
have you ever considered how difficult it is to get a job when....
#1 you have no car
#2 you have no address
#3 you have no phone number
#4 you probably have no decent clothes
#5 you may or may not have a mental disorder
#6 you have no way to shower or "clean up"
i know most places are just DYING to hire homeless people.
lestat1
08-18-2007, 12:10 PM
How does a person brag in another thread about ripping people off and then lecture in this thread about karma and treatment of others? I either can't put myself in another's person's position as well as I thought, or I've underestimated people's ability to rationalize. Heh, or both.
michele_b
08-18-2007, 12:43 PM
I found this site and I read over the articles and it says a lot, very good site, the guy that wrote this is great.
Mr Hyde
08-18-2007, 01:23 PM
I said it in the other thread...there are three types of homeless...
1-Truly homeless people. Those who thru little fault of their own find themselves on the street. These people deserve a hand up, no doubt, until they are back on their feet.
2-Mentally ill people. They deserve some sympathy, I will grant that, although I know many have done things to put themselves where they are (drug abusers, alcoholics...they share SOME blame for their problems, although not all).
3-Bums
Category 1 is what TV commercials would have you believe make up the majority of the homeless....but in reality, it's mostly 3 and some of 2. I've posted that I dated a girl who worked in a social service agency right out of college, and the overwhelming amount of the homeless that came in were people that simply didn't want to work. How am I supposed to have sympathy for such a person?
I'm sorry my post made you sad, but you know what makes me sad? Seeing the waste of human life that populates the streets of the city I live in. Sure, if they're mentally ill, I agree, we could do more...although many of these people WON'T take meds...and truly homeless, yep...
But there are LOTS of places these people can go to get help.
The Bums? Sorry, if you don't want to work for a living, I am not going to give you anything.
Mr Hyde
08-18-2007, 01:43 PM
I am going to add to what I posted before, because I know to some of you I am coming off as heartless...
but my larger point is, giving things to people rarely fixes their problems. Instead, it usually makes it worse. Giving someone something usually does nothing more than make it possible for them to keep living the way they live.
Mentally ill people need help.
Beyond that, what the rest of the homeless need is not toothbrushes and toilet paper, but opportunity. Charities and govt agencies don't often provide that, but instead are a crutch to allow people to continue to not have to work.
If I were king, I'd provide tax incentives and loans for businesses to provide economic opportunities to the homeless...and allow for break in minimum wage laws, etc, to be better able to take the chance on hiring people who live on the streets. If there's a profit involved in helping the homeless, you can bet that there would be someone willing to do it, and in turn the homeless are helped and the economy benefits from it too.
In the meantime, I'm comfortable slipping a buck to a guy in a wheelchair while ignoring the healthy looking 40 year old guy holding up a "will work for beer" sign.