Originally Posted By KCCHIEF I am use to seeing people standing at the major stop lights in my town holding signs asking for money. But, yesterday....as I was really close to my own home...I came upon a site that almost had me shaking. As I neared the light...I saw a young woman standing there and I thought at first she was laughing......because, her head was going back and forth.....but, as I got closer.....she was bawling her eyes out and she was truly emotional and was taking her head up and down.....and her sign said....."PLEASE HELP ME AND MY NEW BABY...WE HAVE NO FOOD"..... so sad....traffic was stopping and everyone was just staring. For myself, it made me so thankful for what I do have....
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "As I neared the light...I saw a young woman standing there and I thought at first she was laughing......because, her head was going back and forth.....but, as I got closer.....she was bawling her eyes out and she was truly emotional and was taking her head up and down.....and her sign said....."PLEASE HELP ME AND MY NEW BABY...WE HAVE NO FOOD"....." I realize you don't want this to be a WE thread, but I have to say this. I don't know where you live, but here in California, with unemployment at record levels, the minority GOP here refused to go along with an extension of certain taxes (in other words, taxes already being paid) and therefore the state was forced to make draconian cuts across the board. We were forced to reduce the amount of money women like the one you saw would get in welfare from $586.00 a month to $516.00. That $516.00 is supposed to pay for everything. Rent, food, clothes, etc. I work with mothers like this every day trying to get child support for them. Matter of fact, the GOP here refused to even allow the extension of taxes to be put on the ballot so people could vote on it. I really, truly despise the GOP right now.
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF I live in Vancouver Washington....right across the bridge from Portland Oregon
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS I'm not sure where in CA you live, but in my neighborhood, that happens all of the time. THey are good actors and about half of the time they are not in dire straights at all. I'm not saying don't help, I'm just saying that there are many con artists out there who'd rather stand on a corner for hand outs than pay taxes.
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF I am use to seeing some people everyday..... but, this lady was almost hysterical.....I thought afterwards of lots of things that might have just happened to her.....like maybe she had just been dumped there I think she was for real
Originally Posted By iamsally There are easily twice as many beggars (I tried to think of a better word but could not) around our area as there were a year ago. I find it hard to believe that very many of them find standing in the hot sun or cold rain to get handouts all that profitable. (I know all about that guy in SF making $80K.) When we visited out daughter in Seattle last month there was litterally someone on every corner. The one that broke our heart was pregnant one week and not the next. My daughter was trying to get her hooked up with a birthing service she works with but the young lady had lost the baby. All in all I think those that have not lost their jobs should be grateful not spiteful. And if you are making more than a quarter of a million a year, step up and help make this country as great as it used to be.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>I realize you don't want this to be a WE thread...<< You got that much right. Keep it over there, please.
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Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS <All in all I think those that have not lost their jobs should be grateful not spiteful. > I used to help them all of time but now refuse to give any money to anyone standing on a corner. Instead I choose to help at shelters and community food outreach programs. It's really hard to help someone in a wheelchair on the freeway offramp begging for money when you have personally seen them get up and walk off, tucking the wheelchair behind a bush.
Originally Posted By LPFan22 Yes, it's hard to know for sure these days, who is legit and who isn't. I try to follow my gut. If I don't get a positive vibe, I don't help that person. Like many people, I don't have a lot to give so when I do help I want to be sure it's rightfully received.
Originally Posted By iamsally If I saw someone get out of his wheelchair and walk away I would certainly not give that person any money. But I would still sympathize with conditions that have lead someone to such action. I have made friends with many homeless people and each has a story. Some are heartbreaking. Many are ill, physically and mentally. Seeing as how Rod and I may be only months from standing on a corner ourselves; I give what I can now believing what the Bible says about bread cast upon the waters.
Originally Posted By iamsally Honestly haunts, I did not mean for it to sound like I thought you are vindictive. I was referring to the aforementioned politicians who are cutting the lifelines to so many hurting people.
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF this brings up a good point...in this economy...yes, we will see many like this...but..alot of these people are mentally ill..... Mental illness is a disease...and one that is not treated (fairly) like other diseases.
Originally Posted By iamsally My dear friend Rob got along well on his medication. He got a small inheritance and was cut off by the state. I cannot even print here what he did; but after another stint in the psych ward and back on his meds; he could mix with society again. (It cost the state so much more than if they had just kept supplying his meds.) It has been mentioned on this thread that this might me better in WE. I disagree. I never post in WE but this is not like news to me. It is very personal. My husband has worked since he was 19. He still has a job. The boss is there as well as the business. There is just no work and has not been for 2.5 years. The unemployment is almost gone. There are very few jobs out there for 60 somethings who are not quite eligible for SS. (Which should pay us a whopping $1200 a month.) I'm talking over 1000 applications and only two interviews. Everyone has a story. I used to be able to walk into any preschool and get on if only as a sub. Now, all the laid off teachers are taking those kind of positions. There is just no way to know why some of these folks are in the position they are in. (We likely will not end up begging on the streets as we have children who I am pretty sure will take care of us. But some of those folks have no one.) As your topic states.........it is a sad site to see. As to the politicians; where did our humanity go? Profits before people and this is where we are. I only see it getting worse.
Originally Posted By DlandDug I don't mind people sharing personal experiences and sharing about aspects of their lives here-- good or bad. I do not anticipate rants against politicians or political parties, That is, indeed, more appropriate for WE.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Instead I choose to help at shelters and community food outreach programs.<< Good choice! When I was single, I was pretty proactive about helping people who approached me on the street. I wouldn't give money, but I would share a meal or help in some way. Most of the time, people would refuse-- saying they really just needed money. The worst was the woman who stated she needed money to fix her car, which, she said, she had left parked with her kids inside. I immediately offered to have the car towed to my mechanic, if for no other reason to ensure that her kids would be safe. All I needed to know was where to send the tow truck. After some hemming and hawing, she bolted. Literally ran off. Not every one out there is abusing the system. But working through trusted agencies is far better. (And know what agency you are supporting, too!)
Originally Posted By iamsally Every Christmas Day for many years Rod and I have taken the dollar bills we have collected over the year and pass them out to the homeless along with candy and cakes. There have been hundreds and out of those I can recall only 3 who asked for something more. The majority are most gracious and many have cried. We almost always get a "God bless you." Last year it was pouring rain. We did not find many people out but my heart broke for those who were. I mean, Christmas Day, pouring rain and nowhere to go. I prefer up close and personal as it keeps the problem real for me.
Originally Posted By Labuda I try to keep bottled water on hand for folks who're outside here in Austin (where we're currently on our 31st day this summer where the high is going to be in triple digits). It's a bit of a pain for me right now - I need to figure out how to keep the water cold in the hot temps we have down here. One suggestion I have that a few friends of mine have joined me in doing is this: if you have lunch leftovers, be prepared to share them. There are two corners on the way back to our office where we typically see homeless people, and each time we offer up leftover fajita fixings, pasta, or whatever it may be, we get a heartfelt thank you. To go Cokes and Teas are usually something folks on the roadside appreciate, too, if you've gotten that from your lunch place.
