tell me if you like this idea/platform?

Question

i am proposing to reconstitute a civic duty to our fellow homeless people. i know that most people frown upon the sight of them, but what if we re-introduced them to society with the chance to give something back and better themselves. i propose to offer to 'enlist' the many 'capable' homeless people out there, and offer them shelter, food, clothing and training for work. after we 'enlist' them into this government program, we shall train them to be active soldiers and ready citizens to defend America in a time of War! think about it, our standing army will increase by the millions if we do this right! plus, they will no longer be homeless, and they will have some discipline and training for future work opportunities, and be able to have a roof and food on a daily basis!!! what do you think?

Answer 1

What are you prepared to do for the thousands of homeless that are up and over retirement age, or the physically or mentally handicapped, or the children, or all the others that would not qualify for your program.
I personally know of several that are quite capable of providing for themselves and/or capable of joining your "crew" but as they state, they "love" their current situation, i.e., living under bridges, doing day work, eating at the soup kitchens. They would not and will not join up.
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Answer 2

I don't think you've done your research. I've read studies that indicate that as many as 35% of all homeless people are in some way clinically mentally ill (the withdrawl of federal funding of mental health programs in the 90s forced many of these people onto the streets). In addition, I'd guess that at least half of all homeless people are either younger than 18 or older than 45. Then you have the homeless people with serious physical ailments, plus the homeless people with serious drug habits. So, you might be left with MAYBE 10 to 20 percent of the homeless population being of an appropriate age and physically, mentally, and emotionally fit for military service. Of course, some of those might have criminal records, so that puts the kibosh on their military service. And then you have to consider what percentage of the people who are left would even WANT to "be saved," much less "be saved by being forced to go into the military." Sounds like a losing proposition for everybody.

Answer 3

Are you advocating putting them into military service? Most of the street people I have seen and some other homeless are not capable of much. Some are burned out former druggies or winos. Their brains are fried and all they are capable of is roaming the streets or hanging out. For the women with children maybe a work for food and shelter program would be in order. There would be people to look after the kids while mom goes to school and eventually to work in a government job or a private sector job she will get with government help.

Answer 4

I think you're talking about enslaving people who have had traumatic lives, often not their own fault.

And besides the moral implications, it wouldn't work. Something like 70% (don't remember where I heard that, but I recall it a viable source) of homeless people have some form of mental illness--thus they would not make very good soldiers. It's not a great idea to give guns to people who think that the devil is trying to talk to them through the electrical socket.

Answer 5

Most people on the streets are there because they are mentally unbalanced or have some sort of abuse history. I know there are people that have fallen on hard times etc. as well. They are not just mindless people to fall into a government program. My suggestion is that you go out and talk to a handful of them and then see how you feel about your program.

Answer 6

That would be a good idea. The only drawback is that to enter any branch of the service you have to take the A.S.V.A.B. Unless the waived the test, how many people could pass. Plus physical health could be an issue. Still a good idea.

Answer 7

It sounds good as long as they are stable. Many of the homeless have problems such as alcoholism, drug use, mental instability etc.. hence the reason they are homeless to begin with. As long as there was a way to screen them and assure that they are stable, I say go for it! Otheriwse, it would be a lost cause because we kick people out of the military for drugs, alcohol abuse and mental problems...

Answer 8

That is a great idea..I have had similar myself..

Answer 9

How much will it cost?

Answer 10

no