Woodstock, I know you didn’t mean to send the debate raging off in these directions, but it’s been interesting and I’m glad people are having such a good debate.
I agree with Opal here–this guy sounds like a real shit. However, how “typical” he is of the homeless population is sheer speculation.
We’ve got lots of homeless here, and lots of people asking for money. I rarely give them anything, but when I say no I look them in the eye and address them politely. If they ask nicely, seem together, and I’m feeling generous, I’ve been known to give them change. I’ve also given food, and gotten warm thanks.
There is one woman in town who has been homeless for years. Originally she stayed out of shelters because they were very restrictive. I used to be of the mind that “If you’re getting a free roof over your head, you should be thankful and not gripe” but the more I think about it, I understand. We’re a society that craves and values freedom. Look at how many threads we start bitching about laws, rules, restrictive parents, dumb work regulations, etc. Are the homeless supposed to just swallow all those values and love being ordered around, out of sheer gratitude? I can see where it would rankle, especially when you hear about some of the regulations. It’s not just “No drugs” either. Some pretty strict rules and requirements. Of course, in Lena’s case, she also drank and THAT was against the regulations (for good reason). But now she’s got serious liver disease, cannot drink anymore, but she chooses to live on the streets. I can’t understand all the factors that make this the best option for her, but hey, I haven’t lived her life. When I see Lena, I do give her money.
Do not overestimate, BTW, how hard it would be to get a job when you have no way to make yourself presentable for the interview, no phone number to list, no address to put down. And once you get the job? You have no reliable transportation, no way to shower each day, few clean clothes, etc. Sure, a real go-getter could overcome all these things, and then as the paychecks come in the problems would get solved. But how much get-go would you have if you’ve been sneered at for months, hassled by cops, were sleeping on the streets or in the no-privacy atmosphere of the shelter, wondering where your next meal was coming from, having to strategize how you’ll handle even the smallest things we take for granted like how to take a dump without getting arrested. Would you have the get-go in you to convince an employer to take a chance on you?
I’m not saying I’m overly sympathetic to all of the homeless. I understand what those of you who feel so differently are saying. But I am awed by the challenges that even the most “noble” of them must face.
