The Homeless: Is there a workable solution, as you see it?

Scuse me Mr Garydavid, but before the non native forces came to what are now our shores, many of the indigenous tribes fought viciously to the death against one another over land, hunting grounds , water etc,; took members of other tribes as slaves, and did not always revere & care fir elders & weak persons if it was inconvenient to do so. In fact some of the traditionally warring tribes actually joined forces to try to repel the invaders. Traditions of abusing women and children are still a problem on today's reservations. That being said, the native tribal cultures were also extremely rich & complex in many ways.
 

A half-hour ago: This very disheveled woman, looking seventy, probably 25-30, knocked at my door. She babbled, only semi-coherently, about needing directions. I asked her where she needed to go. She said she needed to get on a computer to find the place. I told her she needed help, but I couldn't offer it. There was a snowball's chance in Hell that I was letting her into my house! I closed the door on her, and she proceeded to trash my flowers and flower pots. I opened the door, and told her that I was calling the cops, which I did. Nothing will come out of this, since I'm in Austin, a city that cares more about coddling its growing homeless population than caring about it's law abiding, tax paying citizens. I disagree that these people just need someone to care about them. In some cases, maybe, but in most that I've seen, they are the insane, the incorrigibly alcoholic/drug abusing, filthy people with no redeeming qualities that I can ever discern. Yeah, we all could be in their shoes, tomorrow, OK. Thing is, I'd get a job, save, get an apartment, and work towards getting stability back into my life. I have experienced trying to help these folks, only to see my efforts go totally unappreciated, and in vain. In fact, many of these folks will, when asked, tell you that they prefer living on the streets to being in housing. Great, just great. Let's just keep throwing money and other benefits at them, right?
 
I'm not sure what the answer to homelessness is, but can only extrapolate on what I've experienced and seen myself. I have two nephews from two different sisters who ended up homeless. One loved to party, drink and do drugs. I accidentally ran into him downtown on my lunch break one day when he was wandering around. I point blank asked him why he wasn't working. His answer? He was having too much fun partying and going from place to place to find the next "fun time". He didn't care that he had nothing in the world except going to that next party. He had no plans to change. If I were to give him money, that would just buy him drugs for his next party.

The other nephew announced one day when we were playing cards that he "wasn't going to work his life away". His dad basically gave him a job at the company he was working for. The son threw it back in his face because he just didn't feel like "working for the man". He also partied and did drugs his whole life.

I never had anybody basically give me a job. I had to work my tail off to get to where I'm at. Those two nephews never did make anything of themselves and they're still on the streets. I am about 5 years older than they are but they look like they're 20 years older than me.

From what i see, the more you give people, the more they take. If people don't work for what they have, they don't appreciate it. I rarely give anyone money. I understand that some homelessness is from mental health issues, but I think most is not. I'm not sure what the answer is, but just giving people everything they need isn't the answer either. Giving people everything doesn't make them feel good about themselves, no accomplishment.

Teach a person to fish . . . . . . . . .
 
Many "homeless" people are scammers; they've learned that they can make MORE money begging than they can make working. No taxes, they make their own hours, & they get a good laugh at the end of their day - at how gullible people are. Instead of spending money on clothes for work, they use recycled cardboard & a marker to make a sign. Most homeless are drug addicts or alcoholics & when people give them money, they're not helping them because they buy alcohol or drugs with the money. Of course, their signs say "hungry." One driver took a photo of a guy holding a sign that said, "Hell, why lie? I want beer."

I've seen them working shifts in a market parking lot near me. They'll trade signs with others, borrow a dog (helps get more donations) etc, & even exchange little kids. TV productions like "Dateline" & "20-20" have videotaped them getting into a new mini van after their "shift" & following them to a nice house or apartment. When confronted, they always get angry--of course.

A few years ago, I was out on a first date & we planned on a movie. She was hungry, so we stopped at a market for some snacks.

A guy approached my car & pointed to his "girlfriend," saying, "Hey...we're both starving; can you help us out with some change so we can get something to eat?"
Before I could answer, my date said, "Sure." (she was rather gullible). She handed him $5.00.
When I told her she shouldn't have given him money, she said I was "inconsiderate & lacked compassion."
I said, "OK, how about seeing what they buy; maybe you'll learn something & it will be more interesting than the movie."

She took me up on it. The pair begged for more money from a few other people, then went into the market.

They came out of the market with a big bag. My date said, "See? I told you they were buying food....you just have a negative attitude."

I said, "We don't know what they bought - let's find out."

They walked to the side of the building & took out several six-packs of beer. All I said to my date was: "Now you know that giving them money doesn't help them; you're actually hurting them."
 

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