Spring Break
Some homeless do not deserve help
Theodore Speedy
Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: Ed-Op
We cannot continue to allow this hidden sect of our population to go un-helped. It is a disgrace to our city and to us that we have no concern for these people except the impact they make on our tax bills and our eyes.
However, I make no excuses for general idleness and laziness. People who refuse to work - and by doing so use the resources of our city without contributing anything - and who only prey off of the naiveté of others while we work to support ourselves, should not be given anything. It is these people I refer to as "bums." They are the people who sit on the corner of the street holding a sign and cup, asking for money. Should we give these people the time of day, let alone our change? I say no.
I laugh when I see the people who have apparently written their whole life story on a piece of cardboard. Who has the time to read it? What happened to the signs that read, "Homeless, need food"? The only thought I give them is where could they have gotten the marker to write the sign with? Also, they are usually sitting, which makes me less inclined to give. First, I don't want to bend over to give you a quarter, and second, if you are homeless, you should be up and about looking for a job. This is what gives me the impression that they are lazy and not in fact homeless for reasons other than their own work ethic.
Another funny thing that I have experienced is a homeless man getting angry at me for giving him money. I had bought something at 7-Eleven and had gotten exactly three cents back as change. There was a bum outside, and I gave him my pennies, although grudgingly. When he looked in his hand, he had the nerve to say, "What, three cents, that's it?" What do you say to that?
But then there are those guys who actually try to earn your change. Need a pseudo caricature drawn for you? The homeless people in West Philly are pretty good, as long as you don't care for great likenesses. And I always give my change to the guy who holds the door when I leave Wawa. Now that's industry!
However, I make no excuses for general idleness and laziness. People who refuse to work - and by doing so use the resources of our city without contributing anything - and who only prey off of the naiveté of others while we work to support ourselves, should not be given anything. It is these people I refer to as "bums." They are the people who sit on the corner of the street holding a sign and cup, asking for money. Should we give these people the time of day, let alone our change? I say no.
I laugh when I see the people who have apparently written their whole life story on a piece of cardboard. Who has the time to read it? What happened to the signs that read, "Homeless, need food"? The only thought I give them is where could they have gotten the marker to write the sign with? Also, they are usually sitting, which makes me less inclined to give. First, I don't want to bend over to give you a quarter, and second, if you are homeless, you should be up and about looking for a job. This is what gives me the impression that they are lazy and not in fact homeless for reasons other than their own work ethic.
Another funny thing that I have experienced is a homeless man getting angry at me for giving him money. I had bought something at 7-Eleven and had gotten exactly three cents back as change. There was a bum outside, and I gave him my pennies, although grudgingly. When he looked in his hand, he had the nerve to say, "What, three cents, that's it?" What do you say to that?
But then there are those guys who actually try to earn your change. Need a pseudo caricature drawn for you? The homeless people in West Philly are pretty good, as long as you don't care for great likenesses. And I always give my change to the guy who holds the door when I leave Wawa. Now that's industry!
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 8
Shenglan Zhang
posted 5/10/08 @ 8:57 AM EST
The only problem is that one are not able to figure out which beggar is the dilligent one.
John
posted 5/10/08 @ 11:17 AM EST
It's cute how you've been trained to think that "to work" is "to have meaning", "to be meaningful". You work to fund the rich, kid. Debate that. Your anti-lazy "work ethic" has been engrained into by the rich of society for whom you generate money by working like an obedient tool. (Continued…)
David Pirtle
posted 5/10/08 @ 5:01 PM EST
Your ignorance of the truth about the homeless problem in this country is matched only by your insulting attitude. First and formost, most of the 4000 who experience homelessness in the city of Philidelphia you will never see. (Continued…)
Conor
posted 5/12/08 @ 4:50 PM EST
So, you just read an Ayn Rand book or something? Jerk.
Mike Visnov
posted 5/13/08 @ 10:56 AM EST
You're not giving to a single homeless person, you're giving to humanity. - Socrates
Ryan Hunsicker
posted 5/16/08 @ 7:31 PM EST
Friends, before you decide to scream that you will piss in this mans face, or that he is a naive fool without an understanding, perhaps it would do you good to simply calm yourselves and read what he said. (Continued…)
jordan.
posted 11/19/09 @ 11:41 PM EST
i'm writing a paper at this very moment. and your article has helped me explain the ignorance in this country. Homeless people are human beings who have been created by God, along with everyone else. (Continued…)
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