I Bet These Folks Have More than One Jacket
Our friend and crazed libertarian, the Wayward Boy Scout, writes today about a story so disturbing that it makes me want to punch someone in the head*.
I have used my considerable math skills to discern that, if these folks are actually making only $300 a day and let's say they're only going out begging five days a week, fifty weeks a year, they're still pulling in $300,000**.
On the one hand, this really pisses me off. On the other hand, I stand in awe of their chutzpah.
I'd mention this to the recalcitrant brother--that he might make better money carting the youngest nephew around Atlanta begging for change--but I'm afraid of what would happen if he approached the Wayward Boy Scout. Some kind of armed confrontation, I'm sure.
*It's either the story of the after-effects of a house full of toxic burning plastic fumes.
**Can that be right? Damn my poor math skills. Hopefully an engineer will come along and correct me.
posted by Aunt B at 1/11/2006 04:28:00 PM
7 Comments:
(300)x(5)x(50)=$75,000
Remember, that is tax free.
I swear to god it's shit like this that makes me very afraid that I am in charge of my own checkbook.
On the assumption that these people are just able-bodied con artists who would rather beg than work at Wal-Mart, so what?
Hey, I'm with your conclusion 100% percent, Exador:
My only hope is that the article will out these deadbeats and they will have to get actual jobs.
In short, Amen.
Right here on Chicago's North Side, there are at least three distinct panhandlers I can think of offhand. These people always look clean and healthy, and they always work the same spots. I can recall dozens of others in the same vein, as well. I've never given one of them so much as a gum-encrusted penny. As I see it, they're suckers. Standing out in all kinds of weather to make money sounds like work. If they really want to make decent shekels for doing nothing, I suggest municipal employment; Medicare notwithstanding, the health plan is better.
Seriously, though, I find it hard to get morally indignant about this. As we've covered already, the solution is simple: don't give. There are far worse dishonesties-- including some prolifically fatal ones-- that have taken place on Oregonian soil, not to mention in the entire US. Why should we let a few well-heeled beggars get our goat after that?
Prof and CS,
That's one of the many things that make these deadbeats scum; because people who honestly do need help because they are genuinely "just down on their luck", or they really do need the money to "get shelter for their child", or "get a bus ticket back home" will not get it because no one can tell the difference.
They are the worst kind of scum because they use their kids in a Dickensian scam.
What lesson are the kids learning from this upbringing?
Do any of you think it is okay for actually down-on-their-luck people to beg?
Can't answer for these guys. Me personally? No. It's not okay.
1. Salvation Army
2. Just about any church or synagogue.
3. Hospitals, Fire Stations and Police stations.
4. Homeless shelters
I've worked through many of these organisations. If you really need it, any one of them will see that you get much more than a dollar. Even our own Homeless Guy tells everyone to never give to panhandlers.
Granted, there's less of a "rush" when you give to one of those organisations instead of handing the money to the guy on the street. But in all honesty, chances are that you are more likely to help someone in ACTUAL need when you give to a charitable organisation.
Athens, GA had a good idea.
Becasue the downtown area is lousy with wealthy bleeding heart liberal, it has drawn the homeless like a siren song.
Their solution was to install parking meters, I think they painted them pink, around the worst areas. The pink parking meters were designated for giving to the homeless. The money was collected for local homeless shelters. It's a great idea because the trustafarian guilt can be soothed, and all the money goes where it should.
I got a response from the patriarch of the bum family. I shall share it with you.
If you in general realized that we
are being systematically defamated
by an inordinate number of "little
Eichmann's" you would probably be remetaprogrammed by our rhetoric about our experience quickly.We are more than willing to field
questions via my E-mail at
sublimatti@yahoo.com
SAY RA SAY RA SAY RA
Jason
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