Padriag
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Joined: 3/30/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Lockit
When I went on my speeches, I asked one question that made people really stop and think. How close to homelessness are you? What would it take and how long would it take to get you to the point of homelessness? Most answered within six months and many within a month.
I'd say if people were really being honest, most would have to answer a month. That's because most people live paycheck to paycheck. I have one employee I'm working with now trying to teach him to manage his money better. Its been infuriating at times. He came to me a few weeks ago and asked for an advance on his paycheck to buy groceries, which surprised me because he'd just gotten paid. Seems on his way home that Friday he stopped at the liquor store and blew his entire paycheck. I'm still wondering if I can help this guy. When you can get him to work on time he's a good worker and has some raw talent in carpentry and as a decorative painter. But he can't stay off the phone, misses days of work, and doesn't know the first thing about managing his money. Still, I'm trying to give the guy a chance at least as far as I can afford too. I've seen too many people just like him, poor work habits, no money managing skills, no savings of any kind. They have to have all the cable channels, they've just got to have that new car, they really have to have a case of beer every night... and then wonder why they can't afford their mortage or groceries.
quote:
Anyone can become homeless for a number of reasons. If you are one of the people that finds yourself in the position of homelessness even if it is temporary, I hope that you are not judged unfit for air. I would hope that you could be lucky enough not to fall so far down that no employer would consider you, no landlord would think you unfit and society wouldn't spit on you.
Yes they can... its not so much someone being homeless or jobless that bothers me. Its the ones that seem content to stay there, who won't try. Here's another problem I've had to deal with. I hired a guy who was homeless. He was living in a motel in a room the town had paid for. With him were his girlfriend, their baby, a pit bull and a cat. The guy needed a job and so I took a chance and gave him one. When he got kicked out of the motel, I let him move into a spare bedroom of my home. I never asked them to pay me any rent, or help with the utilities or groceries... all I asked was that they work to get on their feet. Later I helped them buy a car... well, actually I bought the car and let him work off what it cost over a couple of months.
In the end I discovered he was stealing from me, causing trouble with other employees, they nearly wrecked the spare room, never helped clean the rest of the house... they got another dog and brought it into my home without asking, and then, when I confronted them about it, he threatened me in a drunk rage. Needless to say he was fired and kicked out that same night. Since they'd stayed here more than two weeks, technically... and because of a very stupid law... he could have forced me to let him stay up to 30 days more while I would have to go through an eviction process. Fortunately my Irish temper can be a lil intimidating... that comes in handy sometimes and they decided it'd be best if they just left. But it wasn't the threats, the stealing, or the damages to my home that bothered me most. What really upset me was when they packed to leave he was sure to get his beer and the dog food for the pitbull... but later when I went to clean up the kitchen I found two cases of babyfood they'd left behind, plus half the baby bottles... just sitting there in plain sight. I think if he'd come back that night I'd have shot them both... it might have been worth it... at least then maybe some decent people could adopt that baby and give it a better life... as it is... it really upsets me to think about it even know. That lil baby girl is the biggest victim of all, the biggest innocent... and she doesn't stand a chance. And because of people like that I'll never offer anyone that much help again... which is sad really, because that may mean that one day someone who really needs it won't get it.
The biggest problem I have with the welfare system in America... are all the people who abuse it. They drain it of the very resources... and compassion... others who genuinely need it should get, but perhaps won't. You are very right, anyone can lose their job and become homeless, as I well know. Some will try to get up again, to do something with themselves... just as you did, and as I have done, and as others have done. But then there are those who walk around acting as if they're entitled to a free ride from society, to be able to take whatever they want... and I just have no tolerance for such people.
Anyway, I have company arriving, a beautiful day outside to enjoy along with what's left of my weekend. So this will probably be my last post on the topic. Thanks for an interesting thread Level... kinda gave me a chance to vent about some things that have been on my mind lately.
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Padriag
A stern discipline pervades all nature, which is a little cruel so that it may be very kind - Edmund Spencer
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RE: The Homeless Book Club - 
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