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If he uses any private or public facities he is what is commonly called a freeloader. Even the internet at the libary cost taxpayers and often he has to have a valid residence in many places to enter and use the facilities.
Definition of freeloader from Webster College Dictionary:
*A person who habitually imposes on others for free food, lodging, etc.*
Suelo does not impose anything on anyone. He doesn't expect any person to provide him any kind of support.
He takes only when he is offered, which happens occasionally. That's not a freeloader. Freeloaders are those who count on other people's food, dwelling, etc., on daily basis. That's not what Suelo is doing.
As for his using library, he doesn't do that for his own benefit. His website/blog benefits other people. Afterall, if the library was not available to him, then he would live without library.
Many people have a hard time to view this guy without prejudice. I guess, because they would feel bad if there was nothing wrong with him.
It's also interesting to see, that rarely someone is complimenting his attempt to live according the scriptures, as much as he can.
We all know, that his lifestyle has a challenges, no one would like to face. Nevertheles some of us keep pointing finger at him. Too much evil around...
if hes of age to work ,able to work and just chooses not to and contributes nothing in taxes to SUPPORT the cause or infrastructure in the area he resides in and calls home then by my own definition hes a FREELOADER...
I wouldn't want to live like that. I see way to many here in Portland that live a similiar life. They are called the homeless and hobo's and the many freeloaders that plague this town. No thanks. I'd rather collect my pension work part time and pay taxes. I'd much rather have a roof over my head and money to buy food at Safeway than live like that man does.
I pay taxes in Los Angeles County, where I live. So if I go to my local library, I have already paid my pro-rata share. But when I have traveled by car out of state I have often checked my email at public libraries in states where I pay no taxes (since I do not own a lap-top). Am I a freeloader in that case? If you want to be an extremist with the definition, then I suppose I am.
What about hitch-hikers? The driver has paid for the car and is paying for the gas. The person he picks up is not contributing. But that driver was going along that path anyway! His extra cost (or marginal cost) to pick up the hitch-hiker is zero, for all practical purposes. If you say that the slightly heavier car now uses slightly more gas that is technically correct, but the difference is so miniscule that the argument becomes an absurdity. If the hitch-hiker convinces the driver to go out of his way for the convencience of the hitch-hiker, then I would concede he is a moocher. But if the driver takes the initiative to offer to go out of his way because he wishes to do a favor, does that make the hitch-hiker a moocher? I say no, because the favor is freely offered.
If I take something usable or edible out of a trash can or dumpster and I use it or eat it, am I a moocher? No, because that item had already been discarded and would have only gone into the landfill.
The individual who is the subject of this thread does not accept food stamps or other government dole. He uses what is freely given or discarded. He tries to refuse any gifts of money because he doesn't believe in money, but if someone insists he accepts it in order not to cause the offerer to feel bad. Then he proceeds to give that money away or to leave it in some random location. (I've been reading his blog).
This is certainly not the behavior of what most of us consider freeloaders. I have a female cousin who is a life-long moocher, and believe me, she resembles our subject's behavior not at all. You have to push your definition to extremes to call him a freeloader, as when I used a library computer in another state. I have prided myself all my life on being able to provide for myself; I am about as un-freeloading a person as you can imagine (if you will pardon the awkward phrasing), yet I used the library computers. I think some common sense is in order here.
I pay taxes in Los Angeles County, where I live. So if I go to my local library, I have already paid my pro-rata share. But when I have traveled by car out of state I have often checked my email at public libraries in states where I pay no taxes (since I do not own a lap-top). Am I a freeloader in that case? If you want to be an extremist with the definition, then I suppose I am.
What about hitch-hikers? The driver has paid for the car and is paying for the gas. The person he picks up is not contributing. But that driver was going along that path anyway! His extra cost (or marginal cost) to pick up the hitch-hiker is zero, for all practical purposes. If you say that the slightly heavier car now uses slightly more gas that is technically correct, but the difference is so miniscule that the argument becomes an absurdity. If the hitch-hiker convinces the driver to go out of his way for the convencience of the hitch-hiker, then I would concede he is a moocher. But if the driver takes the initiative to offer to go out of his way because he wishes to do a favor, does that make the hitch-hiker a moocher? I say no, because the favor is freely offered.
If I take something usable or edible out of a trash can or dumpster and I use it or eat it, am I a moocher? No, because that item had already been discarded and would have only gone into the landfill.
The individual who is the subject of this thread does not accept food stamps or other government dole. He uses what is freely given or discarded. He tries to refuse any gifts of money because he doesn't believe in money, but if someone insists he accepts it in order not to cause the offerer to feel bad. Then he proceeds to give that money away or to leave it in some random location. (I've been reading his blog).
This is certainly not the behavior of what most of us consider freeloaders. I have a female cousin who is a life-long moocher, and believe me, she resembles our subject's behavior not at all. You have to push your definition to extremes to call him a freeloader, as when I used a library computer in another state. I have prided myself all my life on being able to provide for myself; I am about as un-freeloading a person as you can imagine (if you will pardon the awkward phrasing), yet I used the library computers. I think some common sense is in order here.
In all the time I've been reading your posts, I've never been really surprised till now. Somehow I wouldn't have expected you to take this point of view. it is a fresh and unique perspective on an interesting debate (what is a freeloader, and is this gentleman one of them)
To me, freeloaders are those who take from society what they would normally take if they were earning their own living. There are plenty of examples. I have to think about what everyone is posting here, it is a very interesting subject.
Is it clear that he has never worked and does not collect disability, or take any help at all like food stamps?
Last edited by RiverBird; 02-22-2011 at 07:08 AM..
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Let's talk about freeloading and mooching.
