Those you see begging for a job, are just working a game. Try offering one of them a job and see what happens. The guys I know who are truly interested in work will go stand in line at one of the temporary labor companies at 4:30 in the morning to get work, and get work almost daily.

Your comment about the dog made me laugh. In Tulsa at least, the homeless do not go hungry. the shelter I work for offers free meals daily, along with several church groups and the other shelters. Many of them have the timing down so that they can eat 5 or 6 times a day. (Most of the shelters are downtown and located within walking distance of each other). A lot of homeless who come into town from other cities actually gain weight here.

Syn,

It can get worse than you describe, there is a big controversy right now over one of the local habs who killed a downtown nightclub owner. The club owner and the manager accosted him outside the club where he was unrinating on the sidewalk. When they tried to chase him off he got aggressive and they ended up in a fight with him. He killed the bar owner and beat down the manager with a length of pipe. The DA released him after he was arrested because the bar owner and the manager were wearing “brass knuckles” when they hit him, so his use of the pipe was in “self defense”. The only problem is that he continued to beat the owner after he and the manager were both down and unconscious, which we (the police, and much of the public) felt was no longer a self defense situation.

Can’t wait to read your blog about it.

I say move them to San Francisco where life is utopia.

This category of ‘homeless’ play on humanity is just an excuse to get drunk. They are tougher than you think.

One of the local news stations here did a report on the “homeless”. It’s like Rose and Montie say, they stay in one spot, corner usually, and beg. They DO make a lot of money. The reporter actually followed one “homeless” guy to a Lexus that he drives. Then, another one walked home a few blocks away, and the home wasn’t cheap!

I had an interesting experience in Austin, TX. We were at a busy intersection and on the left this guy was ‘walking’ the line. He was trying to get us to hit him!!! He had a dog with him, and that dog wasn’t starving AT ALL. Then, on the other side of the street, we saw some young hippie looking people with dogs, too. Then, they sat down and started to beg as well!

I will NEVER give money to these kinds of people. I think they’re all liars and cheats. They cannot tell me that in THIS country they can’t find a job. Puhlease. Being mentally ill or just down on your luck is one thing. But begging as a job is another.

Some of the homeless are only that way because of a major life crisis and will usually work their way back into mainstream society, but others are homeless due to mental illness, substance abuse, or simply because they enjoy not having any responsibilities. Most of those who are chronically homeless are enabled to remain so due to their monthly government checks. The first week or two each month the shelter occupancy drops dramatically (government checks arrive) but then picks back up after the money is all blown.

Many of the chronic slackers have corners staked out along the interstate off-ramps just like Rose described and will fight any and all other panhandlers who try to intrude on “their” spot once they find a good one. I know a large number of them by name and can point out where their individual “beggin’ spots” are. Most of the slacker types will not take work if it is offered, but those with mild mental disabilities or substance abuse problems will often work temporary labor jobs when available to supplement their disability checks. Often they earn enough to afford a cheap apartment, but prefer to live for free in the shelter so they can blow their money with impunity on alcohol, drugs or whatever.

Ok so I’m a Newbe at this stuff.

Try this URL http://michellemalkin.com/archives/000385.htm

(Cloaking & Lurking)

I guess both the Domestic and Foreign Terrorist support the Edwards/Kerry ticket, huh?

http://michellemalkin.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/157

{OhMyGOSH! Can you see me? }

[POOF]

There will always be the poor among us…and a good way to help them is to support your local missions in your own city. We do.

In the Portland, Oregon area….we have several on ramps to the I-205 highway….and there is a person holding a sign…saying various things about their plight. The thing is, if it was really legitimate, they wouldnt be there week in and week out. I have counted at least 4 people working 4 different on ramps in a two mile radiaus. The same is true for I-5.

These beggers (who really do look like they could support themselves with a job…) work these ramps because people feel sorry for them. But if you think about it, if they each were to rake in $100 – $150 a day…..5 days in a row…..that is a income of $500 to $750 a week TAX FREE money.

People who are genuinely trying to get out of homelessness, will seek out the missions for help. We have a great womens shelter (for kids too) that help women get back on their feet. There are many missions who help men get back into the work force, deal with their issues…and move on to a better life.

That’s because your expectations are too high. Remember that problematic statement of Jesus in Matthew 7:14 “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”