Homeless people

[AlexMack]

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'm not saying blindly give, I am saying you're lumping all homeless people under the same umbrella, like they're not good enough to breathe the same air. Yes, some people could go out and get jobs, but a lot of homeless people, for various reasons, can't do that.
I literally don't carry change or cash on me, otherwise I would give a lot more. Maybe I'm just soft, whereas my career would indicate that I be burned out and hardened.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by centaur532

I'm not saying blindly give, I am saying you're lumping all homeless people under the same umbrella, like they're not good enough to breathe the same air.

Are you kidding? He specifically separated the homeless into two distinct groups, and noted an example of why he feels something resembling compassion for one and not the other. Wow.

Originally Posted by centaur532

Yes, some people could go out and get jobs, but a lot of homeless people, for various reasons, can't do that.

OK . . . what are those 'various reasons'? If it's mental health issues, then the problem lies with the failure of the welfare state to adequately and efficiently fund the resources already available - which can mean anything from the state/federal government to the actual agencies in charge (this is another argument entirely).

If it's social Darwinism in any form (job market, pride/humility, housing costs, etc) then I'm not sure exactly how you're going to reconcile this point - are you really helping by funding the 'homeless lifestyle'? I mean this in earnest - I don't really know the answer. It seems like there is some short-term compassion that would prevent long-term improvement, but it is really hard to say/quantify.