quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

Here in the US, I've yet to come accross a homeless guy that's all skin and bones.

They all have been either normal or over weight having shoes, pants, a shirt, cap, and jacket to stay warm. They find that free food at the homeless shelter and working 10 hours a day sticking out there hand or holding a sign gives them a life that they are satisified with.

quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

One day I was drving in a parking lot by a McDonalds and I saw this guy who looked like a concentration camp victim picking through the trash... I went inside and bought him a burger. The ones starving are usually the mentally ill who do not panhandle, but instead wander around in their own private pain. I have a brother that was in this situation, and it is criminal that we could do nothing to help him because of legislation that Raygun signed to keep the state from having to pay for people like him to receive care. Today my brother is much better, married, and working a job.

The thing is fangsfeet, you obviously did not read this thread before voicing your opinion, because if you had you would have seen it is the working poor that are hungry in this country, not panhandlers.

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.

quote:

ORIGINAL: popeye1250

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.

And this is due in large part to this "Global Economy" and these "free-trade" deals like Nafta, Cafta and Gatt.

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.

quote:

ORIGINAL: NorthernGent

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.

Well, you have to hand it to this post. It's bang on.

I understand people want to help others out where they can.

However, handouts are to the homeless what a bowl of rice is to the starving in Africa. Both groups need incentive and opportunity which in turn needs public and political will to redress the balance in society. If you want a fair society then elect the politicians who can deliver. Otherwise, forget it as you'll always be fighting the inevitable.

As said, I understand that a meal and clothing is far better than nothing and in many ways people are caught between a rock and a hard place. However, I feel this is one area where it is cruel to be kind and what we need is serious pressure on our Governments (and our wider society) to get a grip on the state of homelessness in both of our countries.