Homeless alone • Hacker News Board

Re: Homeless alone

#221

Post by toomuchtodo » Sat, May 07, 2016, 2:58 AM UTC

jessaustin wrote: post #214

toomuchtodo wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kudos. I like your style. I paid $42K in federal taxes last year, I'd pay more to get universal healthcare and real social safety nets here.

If you'd pay more taxes, would you also simply donate more toward such efforts? If not, would you donate under some Kickstarter-like scheme in which pledges of donation were only enforced in the event that some threshold were met? Congratulations on your income!

> If you'd pay more taxes, would you also simply donate more toward such efforts?

I currently am, but to Watsi.org. It gives me a bigger bang per dollar compared to the amount of middlemen in the US healthcare model.

I've thought about several ways to drive down the healthcare in the US, and it seems the only sure fire method is for politicians to get into office who believe in single payer. To that end, I use my wealth to max out my contributions to campaigns and PACs (if applicable) of candidates who support that goal.

> Congratulations on your income!

No need for that at all. I only mention it because, so often, I hear people say, "I'm tired of taxes! Less taxes! You already tax me enough!". To which I say, "Its complicated". I mention it because there are people out there (like myself) who do not mind paying taxes.

With my tax dollars, I buy civilization. I would like to buy more civilization for my fellow humans, but I need their help as well, otherwise my efforts are wasted into the ether by themselves.

We are all in this together.

Re: Homeless alone

#222

Post by kangar00 » Sat, May 07, 2016, 2:59 AM UTC

capote wrote: post #216

mgkimsal wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know Neil well, but he did speak twice at my conference several years ago (2010 and 2012). In 2012, he was walking with a cane, and had had a stroke between those two times I met him. Still in good spirits, but was definitely a little physically slower. I'm pretty sure there's more to the back story that led up to this, and I've encouraged him to write more about this at some point when he's more stable. If I…

I always have to wonder why people don't work at least minimum wage jobs, to solve the base problems like hunger. I apologize if I'm missing something or if I seem really ignorant. Actually, I realize I am totally ignorant in this respect. I've never worked a job outside of programming, so I don't know—is it very difficult for some people to get 'normal' jobs? Is it mostly people with some kind of issue or disability…

Of the homeless I've gotten to know, some shared with me that they were schizophrenic and the other had family but was estranged from them. Others were just down on their luck.

If they have kids and are a single parent, it makes it much tougher to just get a job.

Others have access to the resources, but they don't feel they could do the jobs they know about.

I think the majority of truly homeless need someone to really talk with about things, and many will never on their own be able to overcome their homelessness. If those with billions wanted to help, they would provide these people with analysts, medical attention, and perhaps nursing. I doubt they would want to live in a mental institution, but some really should have that level of attention to help avoid problems with alcoholism, drugs, etc. that are a way of escaping.

Still others are privileged. They could easily go back to their family or friends to get help, but they don't. I have very little sympathy for these people when they suck resources away from the homeless that really need it and make it seem like others that really are in need are there by choice. I wish these people would go live in their parents' basements where they belong.

Others aren't really homeless. Some that hold the cardboard signs may have apartments, homes, etc. I know one person where I used to work that I was told would leave her job, go to the corner and beg, then go home. It was an extra source of income.

Even with all of the people that aren't truly homeless or may not even be poor begging, it is still the right thing to help them if you can. You can put together a care bag with snacks, bathing supplies, etc. and give it to them instead of money. You can buy them food. You might not be able to afford to help them all, but even if you just help one every once in a while, if enough people do that, things would be much better. You can't stop homelessness by ignoring it, and there is such a disparity between most of us on HN and those living on the street, that as long as you know you're not funding a drug or alcohol habit, you're helping.

Re: Homeless alone

#223

Post by the_ancient » Sat, May 07, 2016, 3:05 AM UTC

dragonwriter wrote: post #81

refurb wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What? No. You go on welfare. And get free healthcare through Medicaid. As much as people outside the US like to think it's some sort of heartless society, the US has a substantial safety net setup.

> You go on welfare. If you have children, you may qualify for whatever your states implementation of Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) is -- which has a work requirement. If not, your jurisdiction may have a "General Assistance" program, but these tend to be very small benefits, and often restricted in how long someone deemed "employable", whether or not they actually can find employment, can be on them (…

Allow me to quote one of our Founding Fathers

"I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer."

-- Benjamin Franklin

Re: Homeless alone

#224

Post by the_ancient » Sat, May 07, 2016, 3:07 AM UTC

toomuchtodo wrote: post #158

refurb wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Uh.... no. Read my original post. Medicaid is available to low income individuals. In fact, it was expanded (in most states) up to ~175% of the federal poverty level. You can get it even when you have a job!

Have you tried to get Medicaid in a state? Because I have for a family member (Indiana). There's a waitlist, and even on it, your monthly out of pocket costs are very high (the person in question had zero income , and was still required to cough up $400-$1000 for prescriptions and copays, with no income!).

>>Have you tried to get Medicaid in a state? Because I have for a family member (Indiana). There's a waitlist,

Wait are you not for Universal Healthcare... WTF do you think Universal Healthcare will be.... Medicaid for everyone that is what...

Re: Homeless alone

#225

Post by tstrimple » Sat, May 07, 2016, 3:17 AM UTC

the_ancient wrote: post #220

toomuchtodo wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kudos. I like your style. I paid $42K in federal taxes last year, I'd pay more to get universal healthcare and real social safety nets here.

I find it shocking that anyone wants to trust the American Government with their health.. That seems to be extremely idiotic given the record the American Government has when dealing with Health Care, pick either Medicaid, Medicare or the VA system.... You want that on a National "Universal" Scale... are you a sadist or something? Most of the current problems with Health care costs in this nation are directly attribu…

That's because your information on Medicare is wrong. I and many others would be happy with Medicare for everyone. It's well run and more efficient than private insurance. Expanding Medicare to everyone would give it even more bargaining power and price controls.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-column-miller-medicare-idU...

Re: Homeless alone

#226

Post by toomuchtodo » Sat, May 07, 2016, 3:23 AM UTC

the_ancient wrote: post #224

toomuchtodo wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you tried to get Medicaid in a state? Because I have for a family member (Indiana). There's a waitlist, and even on it, your monthly out of pocket costs are very high (the person in question had zero income , and was still required to cough up $400-$1000 for prescriptions and copays, with no income!).

>>Have you tried to get Medicaid in a state? Because I have for a family member (Indiana). There's a waitlist, Wait are you not for Universal Healthcare... WTF do you think Universal Healthcare will be.... Medicaid for everyone that is what...

Hey there! Can you provide proof? Because every other first world country achieves better care at lower costs than the US with universal healthcare.

Re: Homeless alone

#227

Post by Riseed » Sat, May 07, 2016, 4:08 AM UTC

capote wrote: post #216

mgkimsal wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know Neil well, but he did speak twice at my conference several years ago (2010 and 2012). In 2012, he was walking with a cane, and had had a stroke between those two times I met him. Still in good spirits, but was definitely a little physically slower. I'm pretty sure there's more to the back story that led up to this, and I've encouraged him to write more about this at some point when he's more stable. If I…

I always have to wonder why people don't work at least minimum wage jobs, to solve the base problems like hunger. I apologize if I'm missing something or if I seem really ignorant. Actually, I realize I am totally ignorant in this respect. I've never worked a job outside of programming, so I don't know—is it very difficult for some people to get 'normal' jobs? Is it mostly people with some kind of issue or disability…

Something the other replies didn't mention is that some (many?) homeless people wouldn't be hired for minimum wage jobs because they'd be considered overqualified. [0]

There's always the option to leave education and employment off of your resume, but during the interview how do you explain even a four-year gap without mentioning "I was doing a Ph.D in particle physics" or "I designed marketing materials for Goodyear"?

[0] For example, a "Emmy-award-winning, New York Times bestselling author and Harvard grad cannot land a job as a greeter at The Container Store." http://www.scarymommy.com/club-mid/the-illusion-of-control-o...

Re: Homeless alone

#228

Post by cordialpanda » Sat, May 07, 2016, 4:19 AM UTC

chinathrow wrote: post #104

e40 wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A cautionary tale of what this can lead to: My brother's startup wasn't bring in much money and there was always the near promise it would. He went through all his savings and retirement funds and went close to $100k into CC debt. This was a swing of +$1m to -$70k. Yes, he had a problem (unacknowledged, btw) that was more dire than yours. Just be aware that this stuff can get out of control, if you let it. After gett…

The AirBnB founders also maxed out multiple credit cards. https://medium.com/cs183c-blitzscaling-class-collection/scal... "Joe and I both had ~$30K in credit card debt and this is what we were using to fund the company."

Exceptions, not the rule IMO. Also stated (maybe further down) the solution had a protracted sales cycle leading to long turnaround.

CC debt is probably a poor indicator of the quality of an idea.

Re: Homeless alone

#229

Post by PhasmaFelis » Sat, May 07, 2016, 4:38 AM UTC

Riseed wrote: post #227

capote wrote: post #216

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always have to wonder why people don't work at least minimum wage jobs, to solve the base problems like hunger. I apologize if I'm missing something or if I seem really ignorant. Actually, I realize I am totally ignorant in this respect. I've never worked a job outside of programming, so I don't know—is it very difficult for some people to get 'normal' jobs? Is it mostly people with some kind of issue or disability…

Something the other replies didn't mention is that some (many?) homeless people wouldn't be hired for minimum wage jobs because they'd be considered overqualified. [0] There's always the option to leave education and employment off of your resume, but during the interview how do you explain even a four-year gap without mentioning "I was doing a Ph.D in particle physics" or "I designed marketing materials for Goodyear…

To expand on this: low-end employers want people who (it appears) don't have any better options. If someone seems like they could find a better job at some point in the future, then they're less likely to put up with the kind of treatment that minimum-wage earners usually get. They might quit, or they might cause trouble and have to be fired. Better to go with someone who knows that they can't do any better.

Re: Homeless alone

#230

Post by abalashov » Sat, May 07, 2016, 4:41 AM UTC

khedoros wrote: post #192

abalashov wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In my case, it wasn't very long. I had a tendency to stay up till 4-5 AM working on my side project, and would tend to get in 1-2 hours late. I was fired after two months of this. It wasn't the only reason I was fired, of course; there were some other reasons, ultimately coming down to political-cultural clashes. But it was by far the lowest-hanging pretext. I seldom made it in before 10:30 - 11 AM.

I had a schedule like that for a few years. It helped that my manager tended to get in even after I did, most days.

I got away with it with those of my ex-employers that were technical companies or had an engineering-driven culture. The last one - from which I was fired - was more the opposite of that.