Austin - Panhandlers on every corner. (unemployment, to buy, living)

[passionatearts]

It would help, too, if people would stop encouraging panhandlers. It seems like every time I'm at a stoplight and see a panhandler, there's at least one person who actually gives the panhandler money. If people want to really help the homeless, donate to an organization like ARCH or Caritas.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by passionatearts

It would help, too, if people would stop encouraging panhandlers. It seems like every time I'm at a stoplight and see a panhandler, there's at least one person who actually gives the panhandler money. If people want to really help the homeless, donate to an organization like ARCH or Caritas.

True. I never give money. A couple of Christmas seasons, I've carried ziplocs with food in them around to hand out, and one memorable occasion took a cheeseburger to someone who had it on their sign, and on another took a cup of hot chocolate to someone (and gave her a couple of tips on finding employment, which she was seeking), but never money. It's possible to be human and compassionate without being enabling.

[panhandler]

so there some of y'all that would rather see me dead than walking past your car I'm not asking for your money.
I'm asking for help and food how bout you starve for a week and tell me you wouldn't do the same.

[Trainwreck20]

Nah, I would go to a food line somewhere, or get food stamps.

[panhandler]

and as for the Arch, I'm a recovering drug addict do I rally need to go any were near that place?
No I like being a sober me and plan to keep it that way. which mean I don't need the temptations.

[panhandler]

for an abod mail food stamps only last 3 months before they cut you of and the food you get at a pantry dissent last that long and for some of us getting to a feeding means having to take a bus.

[ericsami]

Man, so many here only like constitutional rights when it serves them.

99.9% of These folks have never bothered anybody. 99.9% of just have sign and walk by your car.

in fact in my neighborhood (Mcneil&183) There are a bunch there. I have walked by them at late night multitudes of times they have never ever bothered me and if they ask me for money they are always satisfied with I don't have anything on me.

I can see why businesses downtown don't like these fellows sleeping at their doorway. but really how are they hurting us by standing at the corner of Street.

Is it ideal? no.

But as society are we really committed to dedicate a host of resources to retrains these folks and enter them into back into society? Hello no.

so let's at least make sure we don't make life extra difficult on them.

[radiolibre99]

I don't think anything beats LA as far as homeless (there are tent cities that spring up at night in the major sectors), but I was shocked to see many in small city austin.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

True. I never give money. A couple of Christmas seasons, I've carried ziplocs with food in them around to hand out, and one memorable occasion took a cheeseburger to someone who had it on their sign, and on another took a cup of hot chocolate to someone (and gave her a couple of tips on finding employment, which she was seeking), but never money. It's possible to be human and compassionate without being enabling.

Enabling my fanny. I give them money regardless on what they're going to spend it on. I'm not one to judge. This economy is harsh as hell and people could get stuck into a cycle of poverty that no amount of pull yourself up by your bootstrap attitude can get you out of. If people with jobs are struggling what makes you think people without them aren't in the darkest deepest holes, especially if they have or developed mental problems.

Poverty and homelessness is a structural issue not a matter of personal gumption. That old timey "common sense" attitude toward the problem does not really matter anymore.

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by panhandler

so there some of y'all that would rather see me dead than walking past your car I'm not asking for your money.
I'm asking for help and food how bout you starve for a week and tell me you wouldn't do the same.

Originally Posted by panhandler

and as for the Arch, I'm a recovering drug addict do I rally need to go any were near that place?
No I like being a sober me and plan to keep it that way. which mean I don't need the temptations.

Originally Posted by panhandler

for an abod mail food stamps only last 3 months before they cut you of and the food you get at a pantry dissent last that long and for some of us getting to a feeding means having to take a bus.

Well it seems that you know how to use the internet....

I'd be going to google and typing in "entry level jobs in Austin TX"