do you think we NEED to help those "less fortunate"?

Question

People are always saying "we are so fortunate to have a house and food and extras like tv, that now we need to help out others who are not so fortunate". First of all, we are not exaclty "fortunate". We didn't just one day get a house and food and extras, we worked for it. My parents came to Canada with about $15 and a backpack with their belongings in it. They found jobs and, through a lot of hard work, wound up where they are today with a large house, pool, two cars... get what I mean? So why should we give our well earned money to people who would rather just sit there and have us provide for them? (By "people who just sit there" i mean most of the homeless)

to Shirley T: yes someone did give my parents a job, cleaning hotel rooms. But a farmer went into toronto a few months ago, looking for farm hands to help out on his farm. He went straight to the homeless, thinking they'd be happy to be offreed employement. They would have a place to stay, food, and get paid a fair amount. They would not be allowed to smoke on the farm property and would get up at 6:30 to begin work. Seems like a farily good job? Not a single person wanted it.

Answer 1

OK, to answer this question, first you have to understand one thing : Jobs ARE not leaves on a tree and they are not easy to obtain. Heck, I know this Cornell graduate, who has been looking for a job for over a year (and no he is not a dummy; he had an excellent GPA). Job markets are getting very competitive these days, and you can very well be qualified for a job, but not get the job. Second of all, you were fortunate enough to come to a better (for the lack of a more suitable word) part of the world: Canada, in terms of the standards of living conditions. Many people live on about less than a dollar per day, in other places. Just think about that fact itself: living on less than a dollar per day.Poverty is very much prevalent in this world, and we need to help the ones who are not blessed. As one person put it (can't recall his name): There are two kinds of people in the world. The have's and the have not's. You, my friend, are fortunate enough (and of course your hard work also factors into this) to be on the side of the have's. Now it is your job to elevate the ones who do not have the same opportunities.
On the other hand, your question does bring in a valid point about hard work. To be honest with you, I hate the idea of handouts. I only believe in helping those who show the potential to be dedicated and are hard workers so they could elevate their financial status and maybe help others. But, there must be some kind of initiative involved on their part. But, they cannot do everything by themselves. You said that your folks to Canada on $15 right? What if they didn't find a job, huh? Stop and think about that thought for a second. Scary, isn't it? That is where the theory of us looking out for the less fortunate ones comes into play. We need to help them stand on their feet, NOT give them free handouts.

Answer 2

I am sure that others will give you the moral and social reasons why you should help; I'm going to give you the financial. Helping these people we reduce the crime levels and lower taxes because they jobs and so contribute to the state and fed coffers. Providing low cost housing gives them a place to live so that they don't live, eat, pee, and everything else on the street. Once off the streets, property values of where they were squatting will rise. There are other such methods that don't directly give them money but aid them in a way to improve their lives.
By spending a small amount we save a larger amount later. Think of public education, emergency medical care, etc. Do you think that our society could be as successful as we are now? Helping those less fortunate not only makes us feel good but it also makes our wallets much fatter.

Answer 3

Because homelessness isn't always those who choose it, they're are families that have been homeless for all kinds of reason ranging from a sick parent to fires and having no insurance.
People singly who are homeless may suffer from addiction, and may have a menatl illness for which they can not get help for because of health care in this country.
Yes, I agree that some people choose to be homeless and lazy. But, just as you don't judge a book by its cover, don't lump all homlessness into a catergory.
Who knows maybe your helping the next Michael Jordan if his parents can get on their feet, and get him into one school, for longer than a semester.
Its a thought.....I believe every person has something of value to give the world..if they have the chance, some do it some need a nudge.

Answer 4

Claire Amelia Sophia Emily Chloe Isabelle Mia Lily Grace Zoey Leah Layla Annabel Bryn

Answer 5

Well, some people don't have the physical or mental capacity to help themselves. With reference to the homeless, I would bet that a lot of them have mental illnesses. I can't quote a study off hand, but I'm sure you can find some statistics on that.

There are those "less fortunate" who are just lazy and who can help themselves but like to mooch off others. I don't really believe in helping those people (their kids, maybe, but not the parents).

So to answer your question, do we need to help the less fortunate? I say yes. Sometimes people can't help themselves. For those who have made some very poor decisions in their life and are now in a rut, I say that we should help them put their lives back together but that we should be wise enough to know when our charity is being taken advantage of.

Answer 6

I dont think we need to help certain people however on a bigger scale such as third world countries I believe we need to be aware of the situation and what we can do to help. To be honest though the things that annoy me about that is the amount of money in the entertainment industry (music, sports etc) I think famous people have a responsibititly to help those less fortunate. They shouldnt earn that kind of money in the first place.

Answer 7

It is nice to help others. But handing out money is not the only way. If you come to a homeless person you can offer them work. Let them clean your yard or wash your cars. Think about it, someone gave your parents a job.

Answer 8

I agree with you. But, I do think we need to help victims of unfortunate circumstances, such as families that have been overwhelmed with medical bills or the death of a parent or parents. However, I have no compassion for the homeless who are there due to drug and alcohol abuse. They do not want to get treatment and and get jobs, so why should they just be handed money?

Answer 9

Greetings Patrick from footprintsdownunder.com -

Until we learn to help all our fellow man be them rich, poor, homeless , we are doomed.

The world is already a selfish cold un helpful society, many caused by religion and politics.

help each other if it only gives you good karma points you can do no wrong.

Do not ask why I should help - ask why should I not help

Answer 10

I agree. Hard work never hurt anyone, it made me appreciate what I have. Too many scam artist out there. Most all homeless people have a nice monthly social security check and maybe even medicare.

I totally agree, I live paycheck to paycheck.