A Solution Needed.

The last time I saw a homeless person was at a Food4Less recently. He was someone my age actually and he had (I'm guessing) his little brother with him. Maybe he wasn't homeless, but he was poor enough that I would believe him if he told me. Their blond hair was dirty and the brother didn't have any shoes on. I felt bad because it was pretty cold outside; but what really got me was their eyes. They reminded me of the empty holes of a skull, yet I could see their extraordinary green irises. After they paid with change, I offered him a 20 dollar bill. I noticed the light in his bother's eyes but the older one told me that he didn't need it. I insisted with a, "You sure?" 


He still said no, only this time with a bit of a snort, "I hate repeating ma'self."


I was a bit mad to be honest,  but I didn't show it. I just shrugged and told them to take care. I saw the little brother look at me from around him. He mouthed a thank you and I smiled. I can understand why someone wouldn't want to take money from others. It could be a sense of pride that the guy had. Or maybe it was because he truly didn't need it.


But that thank you from the little kid. It felt good. I don't know why. Like when a homeless person says thank you and bless you. Despite it being from someone who has nothing to give back in return, it somehow has greater value than the blessing of a priest.


It's obvious that our country needs to do something about homelessness and poverty. I hate seeing hoboes sleeping on park benches or holding up signs at the freeway. I always try to help them but that isn't going to change anything. Even if more people gave money, or if people gave more money, homeless people will remain homeless. The government needs to target homelessness and poverty right at the source, the homeless themselves. The article "Brother Don't Spare A Dime" from the Daily Beast, talks about the problems of the "chronically homeless." Some of the reasons are alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illnesses, poor education, and (sometimes) simple laziness. I agree with the author on this because if a homeless person wants really wants to get back up on their feet, then they would go and get government help, or find a program that will help finding a job and reorganize their lives. If every homeless person did this, then the problem would be more about the offices and shelters. However, most people homeless and/or in poverty, just give up.
I disagree with the end of this article when the author says, "Unless the homeless are willing to help themselves, there is nothing anyone else can do. Not you. Not me. Not the government. Not anyone."
If the homeless we're shown that they could get out of the poverty pit, then maybe they would have some hope. A main part of the problem are the reasons for homelessness, but it is also about letting them know that they can find a job, rent a home, and get over their addiction. I feel like more effort should be put into informing them about these programs.


The second article "Throw The Bums our: But do so With Compassion-- Coolidge-style Compassion."
It agrees with most of what the Daily Beast article said. However, it has an emphasis on making public places less accessable for the homeless. Specifically by charging the entrance for a museum or a library. I'm a bit uncertain about the idea of closing public places to the homeless. In some cases I agree because the library and museum have valuable things and most of the homeless would cause trouble. However, there are limits. For example, the park should be open to everyone and so should beaches and streets. They need somewhere to sleep don't they? It's not like some crazy city is going to outlaw sleeping in public...


Oh wait, the article "The Meanest Cities" describes how the top 20 meanest cities are making homelessness a crime. Many of the restrictions include not being aloud to sit on the sidewalk or sleep in public places. Even charities are being fined with $2,000 tickets for providing food to the homeless. I mean, What the hell? Do cities think that these laws will stop homelessness?  


Not allowing a homeless person to sleep in a public place is like not allowing a car to drive on the 
freeway. 


And charities kind of have to give food to the homeless. It's part of religion and how else are people going to help them? Homeless people (as described in the article) are not even allowed to ride the bus in some cities. It's a public transportation system that anyone can use if they can pay for it. This criminalization of homelessness is starting to remind me of another criminalization... way back in World War 2. It's like when Hitler made being Jewish a crime.


Killing Jews is way beyond crossing the line, but prosecuting and discriminating the homeless isn't?


And in response to this blog prompt: Yes, the last two articles used sound arguments and clear factual evidence. Even though the first one was mostly reliant on an anecdote, it was still a sound argument because the author  backed up his credibility with years of experience with the homeless.


Finally. to end this blog... A COMIC! From one of my best comic series, Cyanide and Happiness.

Hope everyone enjoyed that. Well, I posted this on time but edited it after. So I guess I found a loophole. Of course, if the time limit was extended to midnight, there wouldn't be any loopholes. I think... I don't know how that logic stuff works.

Good night anyways!

-Ares