Homelessness: Still Not Getting It

[unhappycamper]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Still-Not-Getting-It-by-James-Armstrong-II-130201-256.html



The Future Is Here Everyone!

Still Not Getting It
By James Armstrong II
OpEdNews Op Eds 2/2/2013 at 15:16:14

What those who say would like to help with the "homelessness" in this nation should do is hire reasonably intelligent homeless people (like me) to be liaisons between them and those afflicted. Because what I read every single day shows the disconnect. And I do not believe it is intentional, although the reasoning seems to be that of comfort level... or lack thereof, rather... of those saying they want to help and the general proximity of those they are claiming to want to help. There is a chasm between us and those "helping."

Yeah, that's a back-handed way of saying we need better communication, but it's the only thing that people seem to notice. You have to slap people in the face these days, otherwise they do not listen to you. You have to grab them and shake them... you know, like a baby. Are you paying attention now? This is what you have to do, everyone. You have to shock people into reacting. And usually, those reactionary types never seem to understand the problems this issue faces. So it may just be punitive... I dunno. But let's take a solid look at this problem: and the very first issue of homelessness comes from the general public and the perceptions that homeless people deserve what they have received.

This flawed philosophy has to die. The Ayn Rand "People" are pushing this agenda. No matter what side of the aisle you exist, to blame those afflicted with this unwanted stigma and situation, that has to end. The Hyper Moralist, or Republican, by another name, has to stop using phony Christianity to push their agenda. I call it "'phony' Christianity" because it is. Jesus would never advocate blaming homeless people for their predicament. That philosophy is not Christian. And anyone holding that belief should not be allowed power in any system of government. There needs to be a separation of church and state anyway, so the last thing we all need is someone wielding power through a religious-puppet philosophy. Especially if that ('Christian') philosophy has been hijacked by extremists.

After you get rid of those elements, you then focus on getting the homeless a place of residency. If you want to take care of the home less... find them homes. Yeah, I know... you say "that's an oversimplification!" Maybe. Sometimes the best options are the most obvious ones, no? And, if you can't manage that... a place for them to congregate without the fear of some sort of Moral Hammer being levied upon them, you're part of the overall problem.

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[farminator3000]

2. "That philosophy is not Christian. And anyone holding that belief should not be allowed power in any

system of government."

wonder what whiney wayney lapuke face would say?

just kidding, he'd say give the homeless guns!

I'm a homeless student, writer, and activist... currently panhandling my way through school (and life.).

just keep in mind the guy is from BERKELY, CA. (been there, cops pick on homeless/hippies for lack of other things to do, at times)

then imagine what it is like for the homeless in Detroit! (i'd guess there's so much crime, homeless folks are just automatically criminals...)

James is 100% right, there are thousand of empty buildings wasting away,

and if 500 senators+congressmen gave $1000 each, the homeless in dc could live SOMEWHERE!

i looked at real estate in dc- it is WAY expensive, but whatever.

there are SOOOOOO many simple ways to fix this-

how many MILLIONS go grocery shopping EVERY DAY??? $5 from each person? in ONE DAY?

and couldn't Obama use Exec Orders to do something?

i'm guessing congress cares even less about the homeless than gun control...


The police officer said to Bruce, and I am paraphrasing, "How do I even know if it's your guitar?" Bruce then said, "Because I have it on video right here," and brandished his phone for the officer to see... but the police officer reiterated his (obstructive) point, "That doesn't prove it's yours." Bruce was then told there was nothing they (police) could do, and then gave Bruce a "trespassing" ticket because he was panhandling in front of the Dollar Store. He was not "trespassing," however... as I walked past him near the time this went down, and noticed he was (legally) nowhere near the front door or property of the Dollar Store. He was on the PUBLIC SIDEWALK, about eight feet from the property line, which only extends a foot from the building.

This is harassment. This is what it looks, sounds and smells like. Would the police officer have acted this way if someone in the Berkeley Hills had called about their stolen guitar? Most likely, as reasonably intelligent people could most likely muster in thought, no is the answer to that question. Not even close, either. And this shows you the mentality that says those who pay more taxes over others who do not have more rights. There it is, manifested in true form. Beautiful... perfect... hatred. Discrimination, by a different name. Human Rights are being trampled in a town that flies a (Light-blue) United Nations flag across from city hall, standing for Human Rights, obviously.

[4Q2u2]

3. Forgetful People

The rePubs always say that they are strict Constitutionalist. Then they forget the very words in the dam thing.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union(as long as it does not cost too much), establish justice (Just Us), insure domestic tranquility (see that is why we need Drones), provide for the common defense( Hey risk your life for my stuff), promote the general welfare (I can not believe our Founding Fathers would want to take care of lay abouts, ignore this part and it will go away), and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves (end sentance) and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United (Not so much) States of America.

Sad to see how this has been twisted. I find it hard to believe that these educated, progressive leaders of our country would denigrate the poor and the weakest members of their and our society. I also believe that one of the main talking points that the rePubs have is totally 180 degrees out of sync from the origins. I think the limitation of Government they had in mind is not limit social programs. It seems that they were trying to limit over taxation of the poor and general population so it would not be transfered to the wealthy, and elites (is this not part of Royal Oppression that they fought against) to the detriment of the people and the Nation.

[TheKentuckian]

6. Limited means government is of and for the people not "small".

The powers and authority of our government is supposed to flow from the people, our rights are natural and government is not their source but rather a way that frail individuals can bind together to create an institution to provide for a common defense of them and a framework to enumerate some of them among many more.

We are a free people and as such give our government power to act on our behalf, our government is constrained by the need for the consent and will of the people.

[quaker bill]

4. Some places are beginning to get it

It is cheaper and easier to provide an apartment than it is a jail cell. This does not solve all the problems with this community, but it is a start. With a fixed address, one can re-establish and get ID documents, which many of the homeless do not have. Established ID allows those who will do so to actually get work and perhaps even keep a job. It can help to end the sort of exploitation often involved with under the table day labor.

Now there are some who will not be helped. They aren't really interested in living any differently. This is not a stereotype, I have been volunteer in the cause of ending or at least relieving the suffering of the homeless for over 20 years now.

Some are just fine living the way they do and only really want a warm dry place to sleep on a cold and damp night. They do the day labor, get paid cash at the end of the day, eat, drink, and smoke with the change in their pockets, and start all over the next day. They literally compare the food in the local jails and try to avoid arrest in areas where the food is lousy. I have been in the circle for such discussions.

However this is the small end of the problem. Most would love a regular job and decent simple place to live, and will work hard for it if given the chance.

[99Forever]

5. K&R

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Home again

Pilot program here in San Diego

http://homeagainsd.org/

[aikoaiko]

8. This post reminds me to ask where is Bobbolink?

I hope she's OK where ever she is.

[BuelahWitch]

9. Need to give this a kick

it was too far down the page...

[OneGrassRoot]

10. Huge K&R n/t

[freshwest]

11. As long as Grover rules and people are divided, no solution.

[raouldukelives]

12. As long as the corporations have dibs on our congress critters.

It'll continue. As long as people keep supporting the corporations, they can keep supporting our politicians, and the circle while continue to spiral down til its all gone.
I'll never understand how a self-professed Christian politician could vote against any assistance to the poor. Seems like a pretty simple internal dialogue.
"Hey Jesus! Should I vote for helping the least among us or not? No? How about for more death machines? Yes? Sweet! Thanks JC!"