Homeless people

[RoyalEmpress33]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Why should I have compassion for someone who doesn't even care enough for themselves to take advantage of free services within walking distance? We have free food, clothing, shelter, psychological counseling, rehab and job training/placement services all within walking distance of here.

Compassion should not be blind and stupid. I honestly do not care that you think I'm insensitive or whatnot. I don't see why it's obligatory to have "a little goddamn compassion" about what happens to someone who tries to sell me a line of B.S. so that I'll give them money to buy alcohol/drugs with.

I can't really pass judgement on homeless people, mainly because I don't understand it. How can you allow yourself to get that poor? Did they choose that kind of life? (I've heard stories of people who purposely did this so they wouldn't have to pay bills, taxes etc.) I'm not trying to be insensitive or anything like that. I understand that everyone's situation may be different but like Kevin said, there are shelters etc. that are available to people who need the assistance. And while I don't know what everyone does with there spare change they get from strangers, a lot of people do go right back to the store to get alcohol and drugs. That's probably what landed their butt on the streets in the first place.

As far as the 'can beggars be choosy' question, my neutrality is really kicking in. I mean, let's be real here-you're POOR. It seems to me that a poor person would get whatever they could take. But then again, they're human beings as well and they deserve quality living. I don't know. I'm straddling the fence.

[dekeguy]

Two thoughts occur to me: Firstly, when I was about ten years old my Aunt told me the story of Saint Martin of Tours. Might be worthwhile to google it and see if you think it applies. Secondly, a lot of homeless people are veterans who have seen too much of the horror of war and just can't fit into mainstream society as a result. I'll be damned to hell if I ever pass up a veteran asking for help if I have so much as a dime to my name.
One might remember the source of the phrase, 'and the greatest of these is charity'.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

One might remember the source of the phrase, 'and the greatest of these is charity'.

Damn Catholics. The phrase is "The greatest of these is love."

I know that in Catholic-speak love=charity, but let's not go there.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Damn Catholics. The phrase is "The greatest of these is love."

I know that in Catholic-speak love=charity, but let's not go there.

Hey, just cause we taught you good don't mean you got to get all cranky bout it.

[dekeguy]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Damn Catholics. The phrase is "The greatest of these is love."

I know that in Catholic-speak love=charity, but let's not go there.

=======

Damn Proddys.

Actually, in Catholic-speak the phrase is rendered as 'the greatest of these is love', in this case I was referring to the Masonic usage which equates love and charity. The United Grand Lodge of England and Wales has a pamphlet entitled 'The greatest of these is Charity' and explains the Masonic ideal and obligation to be aware of the needs of others and always to exercise charity, especially to widows and orphans, and to all mankind in general.

Now, for your penance, go put a buck in the Poor Box.

[jubilance1922]

A lot of homeless people have mental health issues. My uncle is mentally ill and also homeless.

Whenever I encounter a homeless person I try to give as much as a can. Its not my place to judge their situation or why they are homeless. I would hope that if I ever ended up homeless (which is actually my biggest fear in the world) people would try to help me instead of judging me.

[purplewindex]

Would you like to discuss the state of mental health care in this country? A lot of homeless people are those who cannot receive enough care whether medication, therapy, residential care or otherwise to function in normal society. Their job/insurance/Medicaid doesn't pay for their pills (or only pays for pills not therapy to help you stay on them) which leads to your schizophrenia causing you to lose your job. No job, no home. If you're not serverly disabled you can't stay at a mental health facility long term. Social services try but there's not enough money.

AMEN. I am a social worker and there are just so many people in dire need of mental health services and homeless shelters, but there is just not enough money to help everyone. So yeah, if people are in need of help what is a few spare pieces of change to you? You seem pretty well off considering that holier-than-thou attitude you've got going on. It's not just a simple cut and dry "why don't they just walk into the homeless shelter" down the street to fix their problems. It's not that easy because they get filled very quickly. If they are asking for some change, don't be a dick about it.

Stereotypes about the homeless really piss me off.

[Drolefille]

Didn't know you're a social worker! (Counselor in training here)

Kevin, the homeless people you probably don't see are the ones who ARE working while they live in their car with their kids. They won't ask for help and they usually get back on their feet, slowly but surely. I lived in St. Louis which means if you're pumping gas in Midtown you're getting asked for bus fare. Those people probably need the money but know that their line is the one most likely to get them some.

[texas*princess]

Before all of GC crucifies Kevin, there was a segment on a local news broadcast almost a year ago in my area that "highlighted" panhandlers.

There was a woman and man (tagteam!) that would stand at busy intersections and ask for money and were quoted when they said "I think I can make more money here in a day than if I got a real job, so this is what I choose to do"

WTF!

So you're gonna stand there and make tax-free money while I bust my ass at work everyday?

Hmmmm I think not.

[risingstar]

I live in the city where the Enron collapse occured. The former employees (who lost their whole life savings) ended up on the street and in mental institutions. Just like Tld(?) said, your economical comfort zone can be taken away from you in an instant. There were literally thousands of people who were effected by this and we saw our homeless numbers soar. Kevin, you have no idea what their story is. Yes, there are lots of them that just want to do drugs and drink and that's how they got to this position in life. But there are a lot of people out there who are effected by downsizing and corporate collapses. Family can only help so much. But don't put them all in one box. Each one has their own story. They are human just like us.

[JWithers]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Damn Catholics. The phrase is "The greatest of these is love."

I know that in Catholic-speak love=charity, but let's not go there.

That's Episcopal-speak too. Or rather KJV-speak.

As for the homeless thing.......I had a guy in downtown Atlanta tell me he would bite me and give me AIDS if I didn't give him $$. I said many bad words and told him where he could shove the nearest blunt object. Classy, huh? I try not to act like that now. It was many years ago.

[Glitter650]

Originally Posted by dekeguy

'and the greatest of these is charity'.

Any Rainbow girls out there getting flashbacks like I am ??!!

[tinydancer]

Originally Posted by Glitter650

Any Rainbow girls out there getting flashbacks like I am ??!!

Yes! That is exactly what I was thinking.