I am sorry I have to ask this question.?

Question

I know that SOME of the homeless are down and out but when I see a BUM physically fit and looks like he/she could push a broom. I just have to wonder . ( I don't want to hear that they have a mental disease ) --i't called lazyness.

But my question is how these people stand for hours moving from side to side and crossing streets holding up signs and shaking a filthy Burger King cup in your face -- where is all the energy comming from.

Answer 1

Many homeless people do have legitimate mental illnesses that prevent them from obtaining and holding a steady job. Due to the deinstitutionalization movement of the 70's, mentally ill people who would have normally spent their lives safely taken care of in mental hospitals were thrown out into the streets to fend for themselves.

Some are lazy. Some are just unaware of how to make their situation better. But a vast majority are severely mentally handicapped people that in no way can take care of themselves, and society has dropped the ball when it comes to caring for some of the most vulnerable amongst us.

Answer 2

There is an article in the December 18, 2006 USN&WR (p. 48), about the Skid Row problems in LA, and what is being done.

In my hometown, huge plans for a day-camp are underway. Charitable organizations and the government (State and local) are joining in to solve the plight of homelessness.

There is no question that many of the homeless are homeless by past choice, including drug addiction. Many, however, are homeless due to mental illness. Some are Vietnam vets, which are the saddest to me.

None of us know where we would be, but by the grace of God, and good parents. The issue is what should be the job of the government in solving these issues. And the reality that in our non-communist country, the decision of government subsidization will fall to politics, and the limited resources available.

Answer 3

I have worked with the people you call "bums", and some of them do appear to be physically fit. When I read your "I don't want to hear that they have a mental disease --i't called lazyness", what I hear you actually saying us "I don't want to hear anything that disagrees with my preconceived notions"... which makes me wonder why you ask.

When I say "I've worked with them", it's because I was a professional chaplain before I was disabled. The numbers of them who are not "lazy", but are indeed mentally ill, are staggering. The real sadness is that a great many of them are veterans-- combat vets who saw and did things that broke them in ways that someone like you will, if you're lucky, never have to understand.

Do you think that these people really WANT to be standing out in the rain, begging for a handout? Do some of them spend it on booze? Sure-- if you lived on the street, you'd probably want to 'numb' it, too. But don't you think that they'd rather be working in a nice, warm office somewhere, with central heat, nice clothes, decent food...? They'd love to. They can't. They're mentally ill, with PTSD, or schizophrenia, or acute alcoholism, or usually some combination of the above, plus a variety of physical illnesses that come from living that way. A lot of them can't keep a job-- they'd like to, but no longer have the capability. Also, there aren't that many jobs out there for people with mental illness.

Incidentally, you might think about what's going to happen to some of the vets coming home from our current war-- I'm already counseling some guys with serious PTSD (I'm medically disabled/retired, but I still volunteer to help what little I can). We're going to see a whole lot more people on the street, I'm afraid-- the VA is underfunded and understaffed, and everyone loves our troops while they're over there, but when they come home, broken and damaged from serving us--from serving you-- they're just bums.

Maybe, next time you see someone who looks like he could at least push a broom, you might consider giving him $20 to sweep your sidewalk. That would make you one of the good guys, instead of one of the folks who, well, sound like the letter you wrote.

Answer 4

I the ***PRAYNOGRAPHER*** Blame the xristians for closing the doors to their churches. In the old days homeless used the church as a way out of the weather. Pews were made so one could lay down and sleep on them. That is why there is no armrests. A homeless after a hard day in the streets looking for butts and half filled beer bottles and asking for his fair share of the pie. Could always go to the little church just down the street. Have a word with pastor paranoid get a massage from a nun, do a dubbie then crash.BUT NO the xristians had to lock the doors to protect their precious metals.Then have the b@lls to say " What would jesus do" , Or but for the grace of god. A stray dog is at least taken in by a human society, and put up for adoption or sold to a Asian restaurant . How about your garce. Share not stare.
This is why you must listen to, and heed the ***PRAYNOGRAPHER***

Answer 5

Ever try talking to one to get his or her side of the story? Many are Vietnam vets who may not have been very functional when they went over there, but came home totally broken. Many are mentally ill who have nowhere else to go. I knew one who had thousands in the bank who could not stand to remain under a roof - he wasn't begging, either

There are about 200 - 300 homeless living within 10 miles from where I live. They get by the best they can. Probably less than 40 beg at the corners. And some are bums.

Now, what is your excuse for being a lousy human being?

Answer 6

mental illness is a disease, there are some lazy people out there but its hard for a severely depressed or bi polar person to hold down a job. easier said than one my friend. that's why i rather donate money to a organization than hand it to a homeless person.. but if its -40 outside i would buy a homeless person a coffee or something hot to eat because I'm a compassionate person.

Answer 7

What would Jesus do? Judge, or try to help?

Seriously would you live this life if there were another way?

Lots of mentally ill people have been turned loose due to cuts in funding. I know, a large mental health facility near my home closed in about 2 weeks time. I often wonder where all the patients went.

A lot of these people are war vets, damaged by the war's they fought and abandoned by their service.

"There but for the grace of God, go I".

Answer 8

That's a very good question. Sure some of it MAY be mental illness, the rest of it is choice I think.

I've seen guys sitting on the off ramps with signs that read something like "Traveling. Car broke down. Help!" I can see wanting help, but for 3 consecutative days or more?? Come on.

I got off the question and prolly will again, but it usually takes more or just as much energy to get out of work as it does to just do it.

Answer 9

Knew a guy once who went to culinary school and became a well known chef in town, worked at the highest class restaurants. By choice, he quit cooking, sold everything and became a homeless hobo. Hopping trains etc. It's what he wanted to do. Who knows why. I always wonder, don't these people have family who can take care of them. I would NEVER allow a family member to become like that.

Answer 10

I am not mad at you for asking this question. It's much easier in my opinion to get some minimum wage job than to sit all day begging, losing whatever dignity you have. At least its a job and you can pay for the things you need. Some are truly lazy. They dont think that they should work for the things they want and need, which is the reason they are bums in the first place. My mother has worked at Nevada State Welfare for a long time, and she knows the difference between a person who is truly in need, and a person who is leeching of of this country because they think they deserve it without putting forth anything in return.