Just curious what everyone thinks we should do about the homeless/indigent/addict population in the US?

I am not a very compassionate person, and don't want politics to play into this discussion. I had to stop along I20 tonight for a hotel, and I literally had 7 people come up and ask me for cash????? And about 4 of them were pissed at me when I didn't give them anything....WTF????

Am I just an insensitive Ahole, or do we as a society enable this behavior?? I can assure you, I will never give anyone begging a dime, but maybe I am in the wrong??? I think 6 of the 7, but it may have only been 5 had a dog????? Why in the hell would you have a dog if you cant take care of yourself????

God save us!!

You're not the problem. It's the people who enable this kind of behavior that are the problem.

Just like almost any other scam, it's a numbers game. A certain percentage of the population is going to fall for it, so everyone they come across gets hit up. If fewer people fell for it, it wouldn't be as profitable and they would go get a job to make a living.

Living under a bridge is profitable? It's partly systemic, upbringing, mental illness, and addiction. There's no one reason for a person to experience homelessness. Giving money to them does not help though, it enables. The whole you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink applies here.

I'll say this:

Working alongside of I-10 the busiest roadway in 'Merica and that we're in the temperate South we get a lot of homeless/transient/hobos admitted (this is where I thank y'all for paying their bills). Sent more than one to a paupers grave with no one standing over them saying goodbye. Many of these folks have organic mental illnesses. I see a bunch of these folks that are schizoid and a bunch with serious drug issues.

Some just don't want to work .

Standing on a busy corner with a cardboard sign can pay very well. I like to trust my gut on cases where I encounter beggars. I've been blessed so I'm not a total hardass when I encounter these folks but I will say this ... in today's economy of record employment there are tons of honorable ways to make money. If you can stand on a street corner with a cardboard sign for 8 hours you can work somewhere.

I don't give them money. Anyone who actually wants help can get help. Nobody starves to death in the U.S. As others have stated I think the vast majority of it is mental illness or drug addiction.

Beggars and the homeless were mentioned in the Bible. I do not think the world will ever solve this problem.
I had a Dr.'s appointment last week at Baylor Scott & White . A guy approached me on the sidewalk and said his daughter had been in the hospital for 31 days. He was out of money and was hungry. I declined his request and he said no one would help him out and that people were mean.

It's all part of the scheme. They'll do the same thing outside gas stations. They'll even carry a gas can around. "Just need a few bucks to get home to see grandma before she passes."

I'm with you on trusting my gut. I've given money to them many times. I've ignored plenty also.

There are people with mental issues that need help but won't ask or get any. Then there are the ones that are crooks and just trying to get a free ride. Really hard to tell the difference these days.

PS. I did see a lady smoking a cig begging for $$. I said to myself. if she can afford to smoke she doesn't need my $$.

wow
you cats are hardcore

they take in dogs that are homeless also
y'all ever donate to the Humane Society?

i like to approach them & give them $
it is what it is

Dang I agree.
But I usually pass on a few bucks to them. I know it won't keep them off the street but maybe they will enjoy life a coup!e of moments.

I got asked for money in Irvine Ca by a young lady outside a Walgreens, she was smoking a cig and had a $12 pack of cigs laying next to her on the sidewalk. I asked her how she could afford the smokes, she said "leave me alone"

Nothing, not a penny, let them starve.

They should be rounded up and turned into Law Enforcement Officers.....They would be "HoboCops"

Instead of money I recently offered a guy a granola bar and he acted offended. Eye opening.