Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
jordanvisco.com
Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
1–10 of 42 posts
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#2I really like the article because it frames the situation well and looks at both sides of the coin. There are a good deal of people that look on the unfortunate with disdain, as if a large majority of them choose to live a life of poverty. That they are just so lazy that they care more to fulfill their lazy desire than to feed their stomach.
Reality is never so cut and dry, from schizophrenia to getting on drugs as a child, to mentally escape the realities of their situation, few poor actually choose their lot in life. The problem with giving to beggar is not that it reinforces the behavior it is that it generally so insignificant that it does little to help them pull out of their situation. Let's face it $10, $20 even $300 bucks is not going to help change that persons life. They are so stuck in a pattern of habitual poverty that it takes more than money to help them correct their course. They have to unlearn being poor, because poor is not a marketable skill. Some are even too far gone for that, either through mental deficiencies, or habitual behavior some may never be able to be rehabilitated.
But one thing is certain, not given them a couple of bucks, is not doing them any favors. Even if 10 of them use it for booze and drugs, that 11th one that you give to and feeds her kids for the night is worth every penny that the others use to chemically escape their realities. I can't say that if I where in a similar situation that I would not drink and drug myself out of it. Which goes to show, that not even they want to be in their situation. Anybody that critically analyzes the situation would come to a similar conclusion.
Putting it all of the poor is just a way to walk away and feel good about ones choice of doing so. There really is more honor in just admitting that they can't be bothered to provide for the poor. They earned their money and have every right to use it how they see fit, but those that hide behind justification and villeinization are particularly contemptuous, because the attitude is infectious and poisons the mind of others that may have given.
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#3I consider the social insurance in Germany the price for keeping beggars off the street (among other things).
Just saying that the suggestion in the article is already somewhat implemented in places.
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#4I really like the article because it frames the situation well and looks at both sides of the coin. There are a good deal of people that look on the unfortunate with disdain, as if a large majority of them choose to live a life of poverty. That they are just so lazy that they care more to fulfill their lazy desire than to feed their stomach. Reality is never so cut and dry, from schizophrenia to getting on drugs as a…
Even if 10 of them use it for booze and drugs, that 11th one that you give to and feeds her kids for the night is worth every penny that the others use to chemically escape their realities.
To be honest, I think it's worth those pennies for helping the first 10 as well. To steal a quote from Sports Night:
Isaac: Danny, every morning I leave an acre and a half of the most beautiful property in New Canaan, get on a train and come to work in a fifty-four story glass high rise. In between I step over bodies to get here - 20, 30, 50 of 'em a day. So, as I'm stepping over them I reach into my pocket and give them whatever I've got.
Dan: You're not afraid they're gonna spend it on booze?
Isaac: I'm hoping they're going to spend it on booze. Look, Dan, these people, most of 'em, it's not like they're one hot meal away from turning it around. For most of 'em the clock's pretty much run out. You'll be home soon enough. What's wrong with giving them a little novacaine to get 'em through the night?
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#5I consider the social insurance in Germany the price for keeping beggars off the street (among other things). Just saying that the suggestion in the article is already somewhat implemented in places.
On my last trip to Germany (1998, ~2 weeks in each of Nuremburg, Berlin, and Freiburg with a host family), there was no shortage of beggars on the street.
You're not getting your Geld's worth, if you know what I meine.
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#6The truth of the matter is that witholding kindness is rarely going to cause that person to hit rock bottom because there will often be another person that will be kind. Given that fact, this tactic is appears ineffective. So what is the most beneficial action in the situation?
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#7I really like the article because it frames the situation well and looks at both sides of the coin. There are a good deal of people that look on the unfortunate with disdain, as if a large majority of them choose to live a life of poverty. That they are just so lazy that they care more to fulfill their lazy desire than to feed their stomach. Reality is never so cut and dry, from schizophrenia to getting on drugs as a…
Even if 10 of them use it for booze and drugs, that 11th one that you give to and feeds her kids for the night is worth every penny that the others use to chemically escape their realities. To be honest, I think it's worth those pennies for helping the first 10 as well. To steal a quote from Sports Night : Isaac: Danny, every morning I leave an acre and a half of the most beautiful property in New Canaan, get on a tr…
In this day and age even if you are afraid they're going to spend the money on booze you can buy them a gift card to a nearby restaurant...
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#8This related article in which the reporter gave out prepaid charge cards to beggars on the street helped change my ideas about the people who are panhandling.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/854018--how-panhandl...
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#9I really like the article because it frames the situation well and looks at both sides of the coin. There are a good deal of people that look on the unfortunate with disdain, as if a large majority of them choose to live a life of poverty. That they are just so lazy that they care more to fulfill their lazy desire than to feed their stomach. Reality is never so cut and dry, from schizophrenia to getting on drugs as a…
Thanks for the insights KLS. Whatever the solution I just wish we could all get on the same page about it.
Whether we all give to everyone or we all give to no one, or maybe well all do more than just giving I think if we could all be consistent in our behavior as a society that would really help out. I think the randomness of some people helping sometimes really hurts the situation.
Re: Why I'm considering giving to beggars.
#10I consider the social insurance in Germany the price for keeping beggars off the street (among other things). Just saying that the suggestion in the article is already somewhat implemented in places.
On my last trip to Germany (1998, ~2 weeks in each of Nuremburg, Berlin, and Freiburg with a host family), there was no shortage of beggars on the street. You're not getting your Geld 's worth, if you know what I meine .
I know, it isn't really working :-) But I think most beggars are probably mentally deranged, so that they are incapable of receiving the benefits.
Also there are now proposals to pay a base income to everyone, without fuss, but it is doubtful if it will ever be implemented. And nobody knows what would be the effect.