my heart breaks - Page 4

maestra · ‎03-09-2010

The true socialist form of society that have proven viable are religious orders (Buddhist, RCatholic,Muslim) that are voluntary to join (and leave) and participants take special vows regarding ownership of property.

Again, the above is only an observation. I have tremendous empathy and compassion for the homeless and those disenfranchised from mainstream society.

bikerbabe · ‎03-09-2010

Not sure what communism has to do with helping the homeless. Jumping the shark? LOL.

It absolutely is the role of government to help the most vulnerable populations: children, disabled, seniors, poor; homeless. I’m not going to start proposing specific solutions but to say it’s not the role of government is absurd. It’s OK for government to subsidize medical insurance for seniors but it’s not OK to help the homeless? Explain that to me.

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

@maestra wrote:
The true socialist form of society that have proven viable are religious orders (Buddhist, RCatholic,Muslim) that are voluntary to join (and leave) and participants take special vows regarding ownership of property.

Again, the above is only an observation. I have tremendous empathy and compassion for the homeless and those disenfranchised from mainstream society.

@maestra

Having been in and through the Vatican and cathedrals in many countries I view those vows of poverty with a dash of salt.

But, I’m not sure of your point re: homelessness.

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@bikerbabe wrote:
Not sure what communism has to do with helping the homeless. Jumping the shark? LOL.

It absolutely is the role of government to help the most vulnerable populations: children, disabled, seniors, poor; homeless. I’m not going to start proposing specific solutions but to say it’s not the role of government is absurd. It’s OK for government to subsidize medical insurance for seniors but it’s not OK to help the homeless? Explain that to me.

@bikerbabe.......thanks for trying to bring this thread back to what it was originally about.

Yes, it is a sad state of affairs in our country regarding the homeless. Very sad indeed.

Something ought to be done also for housing for the seniors that cannot afford all the plush facilities available for those that can afford it. I'm not saying that those that can afford it shouldn't have it available to them. But there are so many seniors that cannot. And they don't all deserve to live in Section 8 housing......

I know I struggle month to month to be sure that I am ok for each month. I don't need a swimming pool, exercise room, cocktails every evening, a very fancy table setting....just the comforts of an apartment that can meet the things I need......like a walk in shower, assistance if I need it, having an area in my apartment where I can have my own washer and dryer, a dishwasher, micro, the basic needs.....don't think that is asking a lot to live comfortable and not to have to struggle.

Believe me, it is a struggle where I live.....apartments are not equipped for seniors and yet there are quite a few of us living here now, and most of us have a hard time getting around. Plus, there is no security on this apartment complex, no one to call at night in case of an emergency......their office is open Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 to 5:00.....and their phone doesn't take messages.

They just finished tearing down a mall that closed several years ago down the road from where I live. Understand that they are building condos, costly apartments, entertainment centers, etc. on that property. Once again, it is for the wealthy.

Before you know it, we will be hearing about seniors that are homeless.....and that is no laughing matter.

ZoetheCat · ‎11-30-2014

@software wrote:
Many homeless are just that for a reason.
They don't want to assimilate. It's their choice.

Some have fallen on hard times but I don't want my city taking care of them.
There are many charities in my town that step up.
Homeless shelters, soup kitchen, child care, transition assistance.
Support the charities with your time & money.

Why is the government obligated to fix it?
That's not the purpose of government.

Wow. Of course, some people don’t want help. That will always be the case. But many others are living in dire straits through no fault of their own. It is often said that the majority of Americans are a few paychecks away from homelessness. Not to mention young people, often just teenagers, who have run away to escape horrible home situations. Do they just not “want to assimilate?”

I don’t pretend to have answers. I realize that the government can’t fix everything. But I am astounded by the lack of empathy.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Mj12 wrote:
Most people want to help the homeless, but few want low-income housing next door or down the block or even in their town. It's a huge problem in the US. I don't know what the solution is.

The solution is in a large part jobs. Jobs that left this county long ago. People need jobs. Of course that is not the whole solution, but it is a big part of it.

It is hard to get out of poverty and many need some education, a skill, clothes and help getting a job and getting on their feet. Then comes the self respect and the pride that comes with having a job. Giving them a place to stay is a band aid. Getting them a job and a place to stay and a reason to have pride in themselves is a solution.

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

@shortbreadlover, bless you for your beautiful, sweet heart. I feel there are many reasons folks become homeless. I have not got any answers. It is getting cold here too, and I too am worried.

I have noticed people that I think are homeless in my local library also. I went this past Monday, and there was a man in there asleep in a chair, over in the corner. Its not the first time I have seen folks asleep in there. I had the thought at the time, I needed to go find him a blanket and bring it back there then I forgot.

It is a real problem, some cities want to help, others do not want them there at all.

This isn't a problem with an easy solution. Honestly, I think there are so many mentally ill folks out there, and I also think a lot of the city governments do not care and do not want to help. They just want them to go away and where are they suppose to go?

Bless you again. The world needs more caring folks.

SydneyH · ‎03-10-2010

@software wrote:
Many homeless are just that for a reason.
They don't want to assimilate. It's their choice.

Some have fallen on hard times but I don't want my city taking care of them.
There are many charities in my town that step up.
Homeless shelters, soup kitchen, child care, transition assistance.
Support the charities with your time & money.

Why is the government obligated to fix it?
That's not the purpose of government.

Agreed and thank you for voicing your stance even though you might be vilified for it.

fortune · ‎03-14-2010

@Sooner wrote:
@Mj12 wrote:
Most people want to help the homeless, but few want low-income housing next door or down the block or even in their town. It's a huge problem in the US. I don't know what the solution is.
The solution is in a large part jobs. Jobs that left this county long ago. People need jobs. Of course that is not the whole solution, but it is a big part of it.

It is hard to get out of poverty and many need some education, a skill, clothes and help getting a job and getting on their feet. Then comes the self respect and the pride that comes with having a job. Giving them a place to stay is a band aid. Getting them a job and a place to stay and a reason to have pride in themselves is a solution.

@Sooner

I've noticed that almost all low-paying jobs--lawn mowers, house painters, construction workers, etc., are held by people from other countries. Why don't some of the homeless take these jobs?

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@fortune wrote:
@Sooner wrote:
@Mj12 wrote:
Most people want to help the homeless, but few want low-income housing next door or down the block or even in their town. It's a huge problem in the US. I don't know what the solution is.
The solution is in a large part jobs. Jobs that left this county long ago. People need jobs. Of course that is not the whole solution, but it is a big part of it.

It is hard to get out of poverty and many need some education, a skill, clothes and help getting a job and getting on their feet. Then comes the self respect and the pride that comes with having a job. Giving them a place to stay is a band aid. Getting them a job and a place to stay and a reason to have pride in themselves is a solution.

@Sooner
I've noticed that almost all low-paying jobs--lawn mowers, house painters, construction workers, etc., are held by people from other countries. Why don't some of the homeless take these jobs?

@fortune I guess they don't want to, don't have to, don't have a car or a truck and equipment to mow, some are not able bodied etc. That's what I wonder why don't people seem to be doing as much to get them to work as they should. People need opportunities and hands up. Maybe some sort of incentive to hire them.

A long time ago, people gathered in certain spots to do farm day labor and where picked up there. Don't know if these programs are still around or not. It was a word of mouth thing, not a govt. program.