A tricky touchy subject?
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A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: Elaine
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Sunday, March 25th, 2012 @ 09:54
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Homeless people. Plain and simple. The people that stand on the street corners and hold up signs that are nicely folded with writing that states they are in need of money. I don't care what they write on it, they need or want money.
Please do not get me wrong. Do not jump on me for saying or posting this but I just have problems with seeing these people on the corners doing this. I know there is a homeless problem in this country. I donate to causes that support programs that help homeless. I make lunches for the homeless. I just will not give money to people who sit on a street corner or approach me and scare the living crap out of me in a parking lot, such as Walmart. Are they legit? I don't know. I feel some aren't because I see the same ones day in and day out on the same corners with the same motto. I see the same ones in the parking lots of places I shop. I tell them no nicely. I have heard all the stories. I do get in my car and wonder if the story line is true and would it hurt to give them a dollar or two? I feel ashamed that I have to think this way. Then I get mad. Damn mad. Mad that we have to live in a world that has so many homeless people. Mad at some of these people because they have created this situation for themselves due to alcohol or drug issues. Mad because I am tired of being approached all the time. Try offering some food, they do not want it. They want cash. Just money.
Sometimes I wonder how much I could make standing at a street corner with a story on a cardboard paper and looking down and out. I heard a story where there was a news reporter that followed a guy home that he had seen working several areas. Turns out the guy lived in an upscale neighborhood and drove a nice car. When confronted he admitted this was "his" job. He was not sorry nor ashamed. This is how he made his living.
My husbands travels and has seen the same guy in the DC area with the same "gas" can and sign asking for money. He claims he is out of money and shows you his car stalled with a women in it. She is pregnant. So the story line goes......he has been doing this for the last year. Legit? I don't think so. But yet he is scamming people.
You listen to the lectures in church about not judging people. Especially the "pan handlers" with their signs. Instead we should support them? I have a hard time with people telling me that "God" will take care of them. Well....no....God wants you to use the skills he gave you and get a job and take care of yourself. I am not going to get into a religious debate. That would take pages. I simply do not like and struggle with people who are down on their luck using the saying "I am not going to worry God will provide"......really??? Or "God" sent me you to help me?? Really?? Well I got sucked into that story line and a couple thousand dollars, yes thousands--I said it--later...I wised up. God wants you to help yourself is my feeling. You cannot plug up a bucket that has a hole in it. It will keep leaking.
So back to the homeless and pan handling. What are thoughts on it? What do you do? I really am having a soul searching session with myself on this since I have cut out some people who were sucking me dry (with giving them money and the line I was sent to them). I need to hear what others think?
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: Ron
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Sunday, March 25th, 2012 @ 19:14
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HEY - I agree with everything you said. Where I live here in central Florida one day we stopped at gas station next to a I-75 at an Arby's. We decided to sit in the car and eat our sandwich across the parking lot. A new pickup parked next to us. Two guys got out and put old dirty shirts and changed two ratty looking shoes. One went to one side of the Interstate and the other on the other side with worn cardboard signs. Just recently another guy sat in a wheelchair and when offered some money he littery jumped out of the wheelchair to get the handout. Like you I don't give them handouts, but donate some money and food to shelters where they need help with donations. It's sad the econemy is in the dumpers.
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: patti
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Monday, March 26th, 2012 @ 20:55
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I agree. My dh after he retired from the Army went to Electronics school and a guy he went to school with told my husband that he would stand outside Walmart with a sign just to get money. He didn't need it it was just a easy way to get it. I used to give money to people until I found that out and after one day I seen a man sitting in his truck holding up a sign. I stopped and gave him 5.00 and that is when I seen his dog. I thought he don't have money to feed himself but he can take care of a dog. Now if I can I will go and buy some food and take it to them. Someone told me once that when you give them money too you don't know if it goes for food or if it is going for alcohol or drugs.
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: Elaine
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Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 @ 04:08
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Agree Ron and Patti. Economy is not where it should be. Just when you think it might get better it changes into a downward spiral. Look at the gas prices. I filled my car up and the final tab.....was almost 60.00! But what are you going to do? I have to go to work and I need to be able to drive there. It angers me. It angers me that there are people out there down and out but they are willing to try to find any job they can. They will wash dishes, clean homes anything at all to survive. Then you have the ones that feel the "system" should provide for them for life. I stand behind them with their carts at Walmart from the 1st of the month till the 6th when their "cards" have been loaded with hard working tax dollars. My blood boils and I find myself counting to 10 at the checkout as I examine them, their grocery cart, how many kids they have, their boyfriend hanging over them, what they are wearing---which is usually more expensive and better than what I am wearing. Then I leave the store and get hit in the parking lot for money!!
I really am struggling lately with the donating of money thing. I really want to help people but........once I started and was taken for I find myself really asking myself should I or should I just put that money aside and save for my "rainy" day. Quite frankly I am tired of hearing about everyone else's rainy days and sucking off of me. I am tired of nicely saying to the person who approaches me "sorry I don't have any cash on me" when I want to ask them a couple of other questions but fear if I do they will harm me.
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by:
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Tuesday, March 12th, 2013 @ 12:11
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: George
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Friday, March 22nd, 2013 @ 07:34
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Just a short reply. I don;t bother with anyone on the street any more. Twice I tried to buy food and I was told to just give the money instead. They refuse to go with me to eat and were not friendly about it. Too many scammers to help the legit!!
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: Linda
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Tuesday, July 30th, 2013 @ 09:00
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I may have another take on this, probably doesn't pertain to any of you but I myself have a son that lives on the street because of his addictions. Sometimes, I see these people, knowing there are multiple reasons they could be there but I can only see my own child. These people are or were someones family member. For whatever reason they are there, sometimes I help them. I will never give money but, I do offer something even if it is a smile and God Bless.
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: Ron
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Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 @ 10:03
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HEY - Update. The county that I live in here in central Florida has come up with an ordinance that ran the Panhandlers off. The deputy sheriff's told them where they can food and help. So far it's working, no more Panhandlers...
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: Lori
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Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013 @ 08:20
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Many years ago, I knew of a retired individual, who stood outside a Whataburger, every morning. He had a huge home, nice car, etc. He did it for fun and sais it paid for his daily lunch meeting with his retiree friends. I pass out water and granola bars most of the time, but once did give diapers to a breastfeeding mom, panhandling in CA.
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RE: A tricky touchy subject?
Posted by: Deb
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Thursday, October 24th, 2013 @ 11:14
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Do not give these people money, they will go away. They will be picked up in 2014 SUV's and taken to a corner where he or she will hopefully be able to make more money in that new location. It's a corporation and were videotaped years ago and shown on TV. Notice, like you said, how nicely folded the signs are? All the signs are similar? Check out the haircuts, pretty nice for homeless people. Vet's can get assistance. One guy easily had a $100.00 backpack on his back that I saw near our Walmart. Funny how they target Walmart's.
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