I figured out a way to end the problem of homelessness in America. We will no longer call them homeless, or vagrants, or bums or hobos. We will now label them "Urban campers" and view it as a lifestyle choice. No need to provide taxpayer supported services or wring our hands over their plight. Problem solved.
How to end homelessness in America
- Thread starter vito
- Start date
Oh heck. If they just gave the money they spend annually on solving the homeless issue to the homeless the issue would be solved. But then all the government minions employed to solve the problem would be unemployed.
You are too late. This is the solution.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com...eless,still the word HUD uses in its reports.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com...eless,still the word HUD uses in its reports.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
One of the biggest problems this country faces? 
RSIno1
Hunter
End the handouts. When it comes to being productive or starving you'll find very few willing to die.
The Norseman
Blackhawk
We have an old saying here; forty below keeps
the riffraff out. Been working since 1889.
the riffraff out. Been working since 1889.
True, but you'll find plenty willing to steal and murder to avoid being productive.
RSIno1
Hunter
We've got that now. It would just narrow the field of fire to the criminals not the lazy.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I am reminded by the news that seniors, especially in this area, are the ones that are being priced out of houses, condos and apartments. It isn't, for the most part, criminals or people not willing to support themselves. It is ordinary people that don't have a place where they can afford to live.
contender
Ruger Guru
"End the handouts. When it comes to being productive or starving you'll find very few willing to die.'
While this seems harsh,, it's the truth.
Yes,, there are those folks who are homeless due to circumstances beyond their control. But if they are a productive member of society,, in decades past,, neighbors or churches stepped up to "help those who help themselves."
Now,, too many are the types who CHOOSE to not be productive & CHOOSE to live on the streets because they are unwilling to actually WORK to EARN what they need to survive. The just want to "do as they please, abuse the drugs & such, w/o any responsibilities."
Most major cities now have a burgeoning population of homeless types. Locally, Asheville NC has a big problem with them. And many of them, know where to go, & who to see to get free handouts. Yet,, try & get them to get a job etc. Nope, they refuse.
Stop the freebies, stop allowing them to panhandle, stop doing the free needle exchange, (that's done here in Asheville,) and basically make their life their own responsibility.
I can remember growing up in a restaurant. Occasionally, someone would stop in, and ask; "I'm hungry, is there any work I could do to earn a meal?" My Dad,, who lived through the Great Depression understood hungry. He'd find work for them to do. And then they would get fed. If they worked very hard,, they also go some money along with the meal.
But those who just tried to get a free meal,, were met with; "Are you willing to work for it?" If they replied "no" then down the road they went.
While this seems harsh,, it's the truth.
Yes,, there are those folks who are homeless due to circumstances beyond their control. But if they are a productive member of society,, in decades past,, neighbors or churches stepped up to "help those who help themselves."
Now,, too many are the types who CHOOSE to not be productive & CHOOSE to live on the streets because they are unwilling to actually WORK to EARN what they need to survive. The just want to "do as they please, abuse the drugs & such, w/o any responsibilities."
Most major cities now have a burgeoning population of homeless types. Locally, Asheville NC has a big problem with them. And many of them, know where to go, & who to see to get free handouts. Yet,, try & get them to get a job etc. Nope, they refuse.
Stop the freebies, stop allowing them to panhandle, stop doing the free needle exchange, (that's done here in Asheville,) and basically make their life their own responsibility.
I can remember growing up in a restaurant. Occasionally, someone would stop in, and ask; "I'm hungry, is there any work I could do to earn a meal?" My Dad,, who lived through the Great Depression understood hungry. He'd find work for them to do. And then they would get fed. If they worked very hard,, they also go some money along with the meal.
But those who just tried to get a free meal,, were met with; "Are you willing to work for it?" If they replied "no" then down the road they went.
I quit giving hand outs (money) years ago. All you have to do is tell them you would be glad to take them to McDonalds or Wendy’s and buy them something to eat. The vast majority will tell you no thanks. That in its self tells you all they want is the money without working for it. It is also hard to believe that it not about free money without working for it when they are standing in front of 5 stores with help wanted signs in the window.
Before anyone tells me I am heartless let me follow up with this. We alil contribute and support the homeless through our tax dollars. Most churches including mine do as well. Our church will give them food for themselves or their family. They will also fill their gas tank if they are just passing through. However they learned long ago that you do not hand out money. It is rarely spent on what was intended.
Before anyone tells me I am heartless let me follow up with this. We alil contribute and support the homeless through our tax dollars. Most churches including mine do as well. Our church will give them food for themselves or their family. They will also fill their gas tank if they are just passing through. However they learned long ago that you do not hand out money. It is rarely spent on what was intended.
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Re-invent the CCC and put the lazy money suckers to WORK.
When I was young, there were lots of farm ponds that had been dug (mostly by hand) by CCC labor. The creek west of my place was straightened(taking out the flood prone ox bows) in the early 30's--much of it by hand labor and/or mule drawn scrapers(locally referred to as Friscoes?).
When I was young, there were lots of farm ponds that had been dug (mostly by hand) by CCC labor. The creek west of my place was straightened(taking out the flood prone ox bows) in the early 30's--much of it by hand labor and/or mule drawn scrapers(locally referred to as Friscoes?).
OP
Years ago San Francisco starting giving cash payments to the homeless, then seemed astonished when the number of homeless increased. It appears that the overwhelming majority of homeless are drug addicts, mentally ill (or both) or what we used to call hobos, individuals content to barely survive rather than work and willing to accept normal adult responsibilities. If we returned to sane societal policies of involuntary confinement of the mentally ill, jailed those on illegal drugs, then the shelters most cities already have would be adequate to house the remaining homeless who sought such support. Trying to spend their way out of having homeless in their city is a sure prescription for disaster, since the more cash and services provided, the more people will be satisfied with that marginal existence paid for by others. If you oppose jailing the drug addicts, then leave them to their fate. FWIW, I think making Narcan available everywhere only encourages careless drug use.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
You would think that in the greatest country on earth that we could deal with this problem and others as well.
Years ago here in Waco there were some of the radio and TV stations that went out bought tons of food and tried to give it to those will work for food sign carriers and were told by the homeless that they didn't want that yugo, they wanted money flat out so take their food and move along so the homeless could go on with their collecting.
There was a woman who had a sign that she was preg nite and she was in that condition for 2 years straight...
dweis
Blackhawk
The notion that most homeless people choose to be homeless is ludicrous, and those who do choose to be so are usually suffering from mental problems like PTSD and depression. Then there are the folks who just do not have talents to be gainfully employed so cannot pay the skyrocketing rental costs of today. I know many think those people should just pull themselves up by their bootstraps. However, that is unrealistic. To pull yourself up you have to be standing with feet on the ground. The homeless are flat on their backs.
When it comes to panhandling, you have to at least give this guy credit for being creative.
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I would probably give this guy a dollar, just for making me laugh!
contender
Ruger Guru
"The notion that most homeless people choose to be homeless is ludicrous, and those who do choose to be so are usually suffering from mental problems like PTSD and depression. Then there are the folks who just do not have talents to be gainfully employed so cannot pay the skyrocketing rental costs of today. I know many think those people should just pull themselves up by their bootstraps. However, that is unrealistic. To pull yourself up you have to be standing with feet on the ground. The homeless are flat on their backs."
I know a lot of people, who for lack of a better term, were totally broke, no place to live & could have gotten "assistance" from the government. Yet,, they were raised to work, and to not give up or take something they didn't earn.
And these same people went looking for work, and scraped out a living doing whatever they could to support themselves. They didn't waste money, they did anything & everything they could find to make a living. And I've seen them not buy cigarettes, booze or drugs, because food was more important. These people have been given help or work by people who saw them trying,, no matter how bad it was. Locally, we have a guy in Hendersonville NC who rides a moped, because he can't get a vehicle, or even pass a drivers test. Yet,, he works at all kinds of odd jobs, and supports himself as well as his family. Yes, he has a wife & 2 kids. Locals who have watched him stand by the road, holding a business sign as an advertiser for that business. And he's friendly & well liked. Why? Because he tries & works. No matter what.
And I, as well as many people here on this Forum can relate to the fact that we were once very poor or broke & sacrificed a lot just to live.
If anybody has the desire to succeed, they can, IF THEY WANT TO & APPLY THEMSELVES!
But I've also watched many people come through our convenience store & count out change, just to buy booze and/or cigarettes. Yet,, they never seem to buy any food. And these same people live their life as they CHOOSE to live it. Drugs, booze, cigarettes, & all. By enabling these types,, by giving them money or whatever, they see that they do not have to WORK to EARN what they want or need.
Re-read my other post. My Dad lived the Great Depression. He did without. He was hungry a lot. My grandparents had to live with other families, even apart for a time, just to work & buy food & shelter. Yes, they were homeless. My Dad gave them their first house. But they worked, hard & raised 8 kids. And all of these kids grew up & built families & succeeded in living a better life. Dad helped those willing to work. But bums,, he had no use for. Homeless people nowadays by a large part are just bums.
I know a lot of people, who for lack of a better term, were totally broke, no place to live & could have gotten "assistance" from the government. Yet,, they were raised to work, and to not give up or take something they didn't earn.
And these same people went looking for work, and scraped out a living doing whatever they could to support themselves. They didn't waste money, they did anything & everything they could find to make a living. And I've seen them not buy cigarettes, booze or drugs, because food was more important. These people have been given help or work by people who saw them trying,, no matter how bad it was. Locally, we have a guy in Hendersonville NC who rides a moped, because he can't get a vehicle, or even pass a drivers test. Yet,, he works at all kinds of odd jobs, and supports himself as well as his family. Yes, he has a wife & 2 kids. Locals who have watched him stand by the road, holding a business sign as an advertiser for that business. And he's friendly & well liked. Why? Because he tries & works. No matter what.
And I, as well as many people here on this Forum can relate to the fact that we were once very poor or broke & sacrificed a lot just to live.
If anybody has the desire to succeed, they can, IF THEY WANT TO & APPLY THEMSELVES!
But I've also watched many people come through our convenience store & count out change, just to buy booze and/or cigarettes. Yet,, they never seem to buy any food. And these same people live their life as they CHOOSE to live it. Drugs, booze, cigarettes, & all. By enabling these types,, by giving them money or whatever, they see that they do not have to WORK to EARN what they want or need.
Re-read my other post. My Dad lived the Great Depression. He did without. He was hungry a lot. My grandparents had to live with other families, even apart for a time, just to work & buy food & shelter. Yes, they were homeless. My Dad gave them their first house. But they worked, hard & raised 8 kids. And all of these kids grew up & built families & succeeded in living a better life. Dad helped those willing to work. But bums,, he had no use for. Homeless people nowadays by a large part are just bums.
I have very little sympathy for those who CHOOSE to be homeless or jobless.
Many/most of you have heard me describe how my younger Son has progressed beyond his handicap (he's blind-not profoundly but unable to read print or get a drivers' license). I taught him to work on small engines and other mechanical skills. He graduated college and got married. After marriage, he got a job in a local grocery store and did small engine repair on the side. After 3 years of that, he'd proven himself to the local lawnmower factory hiring official and was hired there assembling mowers. His production quota is the same as sighted employees but currently, he's the primary TRAINER for the production line on which he works. He's still exceeding 75% of his quota while training any/all walk in new hires.
Handicap or not most folks CAN FIND WORK if they really want to. Anyone who tells me they CAN'T work is in for an earful of hardcore 'encouragement'.
Many/most of you have heard me describe how my younger Son has progressed beyond his handicap (he's blind-not profoundly but unable to read print or get a drivers' license). I taught him to work on small engines and other mechanical skills. He graduated college and got married. After marriage, he got a job in a local grocery store and did small engine repair on the side. After 3 years of that, he'd proven himself to the local lawnmower factory hiring official and was hired there assembling mowers. His production quota is the same as sighted employees but currently, he's the primary TRAINER for the production line on which he works. He's still exceeding 75% of his quota while training any/all walk in new hires.
Handicap or not most folks CAN FIND WORK if they really want to. Anyone who tells me they CAN'T work is in for an earful of hardcore 'encouragement'.
Even the Bible refers to many of these people. “Let them that won’t work, not eat.” I have no problem with that.
My father-in-law once said that you could give a homeless bum a million dollars, and he’d be broke within a year, but if you took everything from a self-made millionaire and put him on the street and homeless, he’d be a millionaire again in just a year or two.
Some of you can believe homeless people in the big cities just need help and a home. Cities have help available, most will not take it.
In Portland a study done by social service people trying to help them showed about 90% are drug addicts, some others are alcoholics. Most have mental health issues. Many have family living nearby. Many get some type of money besides begging or hooking as in welfare or Social Security. All they want is enough to get and stay high. Clothing/tents is donated by the truckload to them. The PD a few years ago had yearly, 65% of all calls for police service was involving homeless people committing crimes against others or property. Around 20,000 people in a city of several million take 65% of all police calls. Also, several years ago it was about 80% of all people booked into the county jail were homeless and either had a drug/alcohol addiction or a mental health problem.
The ones I mentioned who are flat out criminals and unwilling to go get help cannot live by the rules in homeless shelters. Go to where they hang out at on/off ramps check behind nearby walls or brush. You will find a lot of good food given to them and tossed on the ground. Go into the camps and count used needles, buckets of poop and tents abandoned full of trash and used clothes. Nowadays, the camps have dead people in them about weekly from OD. You will also find nice bicycles that many were stolen and stripped.
Here in Boise the news has people from the shelters giving out their addresses and begging homeless to go to them for help and shelter, none of them are full. Reporters go ask the beggars every winter why they won't go to a shelter. The don't like to be drug or alcohol free. It's a problem that will never go away until as an individual they see the light and want a drug/alcohol free life. Many with mental health issues can do well when in a structured environment. Once out on their own they fail. When those types end up on the streets their family support systems many times ended due to theft and assaults against their own family.
Yes, they are human and should be treated as such, but addiction is a nearly impossible thing to force someone off. It works well when they want help. In Portland, they set up free housing for single females who were hookers, which mostly also means drug addict. After the1 year review it was closed. It became a whorehouse and almost none wanted help.
I will add that this year in San Fran they had a free drug use zone in place with social and medical services available. After a year they had 2% of the people using it reach out for help. Help to become drug free and into housing. I never followed up to find out how many people used/bought/sold drugs there in the year. I am guessing the number would be in the thousands. But whatever the number they got 2% off the streets.
In Portland a study done by social service people trying to help them showed about 90% are drug addicts, some others are alcoholics. Most have mental health issues. Many have family living nearby. Many get some type of money besides begging or hooking as in welfare or Social Security. All they want is enough to get and stay high. Clothing/tents is donated by the truckload to them. The PD a few years ago had yearly, 65% of all calls for police service was involving homeless people committing crimes against others or property. Around 20,000 people in a city of several million take 65% of all police calls. Also, several years ago it was about 80% of all people booked into the county jail were homeless and either had a drug/alcohol addiction or a mental health problem.
The ones I mentioned who are flat out criminals and unwilling to go get help cannot live by the rules in homeless shelters. Go to where they hang out at on/off ramps check behind nearby walls or brush. You will find a lot of good food given to them and tossed on the ground. Go into the camps and count used needles, buckets of poop and tents abandoned full of trash and used clothes. Nowadays, the camps have dead people in them about weekly from OD. You will also find nice bicycles that many were stolen and stripped.
Here in Boise the news has people from the shelters giving out their addresses and begging homeless to go to them for help and shelter, none of them are full. Reporters go ask the beggars every winter why they won't go to a shelter. The don't like to be drug or alcohol free. It's a problem that will never go away until as an individual they see the light and want a drug/alcohol free life. Many with mental health issues can do well when in a structured environment. Once out on their own they fail. When those types end up on the streets their family support systems many times ended due to theft and assaults against their own family.
Yes, they are human and should be treated as such, but addiction is a nearly impossible thing to force someone off. It works well when they want help. In Portland, they set up free housing for single females who were hookers, which mostly also means drug addict. After the1 year review it was closed. It became a whorehouse and almost none wanted help.
I will add that this year in San Fran they had a free drug use zone in place with social and medical services available. After a year they had 2% of the people using it reach out for help. Help to become drug free and into housing. I never followed up to find out how many people used/bought/sold drugs there in the year. I am guessing the number would be in the thousands. But whatever the number they got 2% off the streets.
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Excellent point. The difference between can not work and just will not for whatever reason. No different than with the pandemic lock downs and the stimulus and other checks. Some people found they did as well and perhaps better being parasites than trying to work even though the work they may have found might have been a life changing opportunity and career.
Many are just happy to drink, do drugs, or hang out.
