NationStates Jolt Archive

I ran to the store and while walking in I passed a woman on a 'hoveround' style electric scooter. The scooter looked in good shape, shiny, not scratched up or dirty and although she had a pack slung off it, not loaded down with junk. She also had a cardboard sign that said "Homeless - Please Help". The first thing that came to my mind was "If you're homeless, where the heck do you plug that thing in every night?".

I didn't say it out loud of course, I just walked on by and dropped a buck in the Salvation Army kettle. Am I getting too cynical?

Ooh, you callous person, you.

It isn't that cynical compared to some. My dad doesn't give money to homeless people at all because "they all spend it on booze".

I ran to the store and while walking in I passed a woman on a 'hoveround' style electric scooter. The scooter looked in good shape, shiny, not scratched up or dirty and although she had a pack slung off it, not loaded down with junk. She also had a cardboard sign that said "Homeless - Please Help". The first thing that came to my mind was "If you're homeless, where the heck do you plug that thing in every night?".

I didn't say it out loud of course, I just walked on by and dropped a buck in the Salvation Army kettle. Am I getting too cynical?
That should aliviate your concern-cynical wouldn't have done anything, or had even more drastic concerns about supporting the belief system of the Salvation Army that over-ride your desire to actually help out.

there is this song by lazy boy with these lyrics:

We’re in one of the richest countries in the world,
but the minimum wage is lower than it was thirty five years ago.
There are homeless people everywhere.
This homeless guy asked me for money the other day.
I was about to give it to him and then I thought he was going to use it on drugs or alcohol.
And then I thought, that’s what I’m going to use it on.
Why am I judging this poor bastard.
People love to judge homeless guys. Like if you give them money they’re just going to waste it.
Well, he lives in a box, what do you want him to do? Save it up and buy a wall unit?
Take a little run to the store for a throw rug and a CD rack? He’s homeless.
I walked behind this guy the other day.
A homeless guy asked him for money.
He looks right at the homeless guy and says why don’t you go get a job you bum.
People always say that to homeless guys like it is so easy.
This homeless guy was wearing his underwear outside his pants.
Outside his pants. I’m guessing his resume isn’t all up to date.
I’m predicting some problems during the interview process.
I’m pretty sure even McDonalds has a “underwear goes inside the pants” policy.
Not that they enforce it really strictly, but technically I’m sure it is on the books.

applicable, eh?

Ooh, you callous person, you.

It isn't that cynical compared to some. My dad doesn't give money to homeless people at all because "they all spend it on booze".
i give them money because they spend it on booze and drugs. The more they drink/take drugs, the younger they'll die and the sooner we'll be rid of them. Just think, if they all spent the money they earn on food and clothes we really would be overrun with them!

i give them money because they spend it on booze and drugs. The more they drink/take drugs, the younger they'll die and the sooner we'll be rid of them. Just think, if they all spent the money they earn on food and clothes we really would be overrun with them!
:eek:

Cold hearted.

I hope your not planing on being a nurse

That should aliviate your concern-cynical wouldn't have done anything, or had even more drastic concerns about supporting the belief system of the Salvation Army that over-ride your desire to actually help out.
Ok, I'll bite ( although I'm sure I'll regret it ) ... how is supporting the Salvation Army's efforts to help the poor a problem?

:eek:

Cold hearted.

I hope your not planing on being a nurse
no it's not and no i'm not

i give them money because they spend it on booze and drugs. The more they drink/take drugs, the younger they'll die and the sooner we'll be rid of them. Just think, if they all spent the money they earn on food and clothes we really would be overrun with them!

Why don't you give them vouchers for your pois...food shop. That's right, your food shop. ;)

One of our local news channels ran a special last night on the youth homeless problem in our city (Des Moines, IA - which is a small city...small enough to have no excuse to not be able to accommodate our homeless). They showed this couple in their early 20's - they are engaged and she is pregnant and they sleep in a tent in the timber (and it is really cold here at night, below zero wind chills). I felt bad for them at first, then noticed the really nice engagement ring she was wearing. It would have easily covered a deposit for an apartment or house to rent. I understand that ring may be very sentimental - but seriously, you are pregnant and sleeping with your SO in a tent....in Iowa...in the winter......while wearing a piece of jewelry that could potentially help to get you out of that situation. I would also walk past and put my money in the Salvation Army bucket.

i give them money because they spend it on booze and drugs. The more they drink/take drugs, the younger they'll die and the sooner we'll be rid of them. Just think, if they all spent the money they earn on food and clothes we really would be overrun with them!

wow that was pretty cold tink. I give them money cause I'm not gunna use it on anything useful. And just maybe they'll actually use it for food.

wow that was pretty cold tink. I give them money cause I'm not gunna use it on anything useful. And just maybe they'll actually use it for food.
yeah and if they do use it for food then good for them, they actually might end up getting somewhere in life but anyone who spends all their money on drugs and booze deserves everything they get and the world would be a better place without them

I just give hobos food. Then they have to sell the food and then buy the drugs.

anyone who spends all their money on drugs and booze deserves everything they get and the world would be a better place without them


But what about Ozzy Osborne?

One of the most important things affected in any dealings with the homeless, and the only thing over which you have any actual control, is the condition of your own heart. Why you dontate is even more important than whether you donate or not. I have no idea for what a homeless person is going to use any money I might give him. That's not important in the long run ... what is important is that you do what your conscience dictates.

When I've got the "extra" cash to make a contribution, I look for the guys who aren't asking. Why? I've been one of them. I've been on the streets too many times (in the post-teen years) to not understand how it happens. Drugs and/or booze were never a factor. Sometimes shit just doesn't work out well, and you have nowhere else to go. We don't know how we got there, we don't know when it'll change. All we know is the only way to find out is to keep going, and doing what we can. Asking for charity is sometimes seen as a sign of weakness or laziness. I didn't ask for it, but the people who saw I needed it stepped up when they didn't have to. Now I do the same, because I never know which one of them may be just like me.