Zone1 Beggars at the Intersection: How do you feel about them? What do you do?

[pknopp]

I don't think so. The Founding Fathers didn't pass the Bill of Rights to guarantee people the right to go out and ask for spare change.

In fact, in their day, bums would be sent to the local workhouse.

I doubt the amendment would have been ratified if the people thought they were glorifying this kind of behavior.

You can lead a horse to water................................

 

[BasicHumanUnit]

Or one could look at it as keeping your nephew in a job.

Unfortunately, your side looks at government funded free crack and heroin dispensaries that way too.
EVERY place your side prevails has turned into a violent human waste hell hole.
Your mother must be so proud.

 

[pknopp]

Unfortunately, your side looks at government funded free crack and heroin dispensaries that way too.

I wasn't aware they existed. I must be sheltered. Can you point them out to me?

 

[Polishprince]

In the past two years, I have noticed an epidemic of people begging at major intersections in my city. At a big four-way stop, you'll see them at all four medians. They're working in tandem. All have cardboard signs. All begging for help.

What do you do about it?

I generally give them free advice if I'm stuck at a red light where they are bumming.

I tell them to get Square Reader so they can accept credit and debit card donations as well. So many people nowadays don't have any change, much less spare change available. Getting with the times is what they need to do if they are going to succeed as a professional bum looking for people with spare change.

 

[Moonglow]

In the past two years, I have noticed an epidemic of people begging at major intersections in my city. At a big four-way stop, you'll see them at all four medians. They're working in tandem. All have cardboard signs. All begging for help.

What do you do about it?

My first impulse is anger. I'm angry that they're implicitly lying about how they'll use the money, probably going for drugs or booze. The other thing is my charity solicits in front of certain stores. We have to go through a lot of red tape to get permission and permits to solicit. From the business; from the state; from the strip mall owner. And it absolutely frosts me to see these beggars at those same strip mall exits panhandling for themselves...not for charity....to buy drugs and booze. They didn't ask permission from anyone. It angers me even more when dunderheads give them money.

Now as a Christian, I wrestle with this. I feel bad that I get angry. I've talked to two priests about this. Both said I shouldn't get angry. One said that rather than give them money, I should engage with them and offer to accompany them to a restaurant and have a meal with them. The other priest said I should be pleasant and treat them like a human being, though I don't have to give them anything. He said "How rotten must their lives be that they would stand out there, regardless of what they do with the money?" He had a point. People addicted to drug or alcohol are not happy or well people. Anger isn't the proper response.

One time I did as the first priest instructed. The very next day after I talked to him, I was sitting in the parking lot at Lowe's looking at my phone. A woman tapped on my window and asked for money for something to eat. I thought it was divine providence. So I offered to go into the Kroger's and get her some fruit and bread and such. But that wasn't what she had in mind. She wanted to eat at the Sonic across the way. So I said fine and let her order. She got a meal deal with fries and a drink. I bristled at what I considered a junk meal, but went with it. I paid $8.64. Trying to make conversation, I asked her name. She refused to tell me. We talked a little bit about her circumstance. Everyone in her life was a f*cking asshole by her account. At the end, she asked for money. I declined. She thanked me for the meal and went on her way .

Pope Francis when asked the question, said he would not only talk to a beggar kindly, he would give them money. He said "So what if the person wants to buy a glass of wine. Who among us doesn't have a guilty pleasure?" I don't see it that way. I see it as enabling an addiction. I was talking to a woman who works in the ABC stores. She said she'll see these guys who were out panhandling come in with stacks of bills to buy liquor. Homeless professionals advise people to NOT give beggars money, that you can give them vouchers for the local shelter. It is a fact that most homeless are not beggars, and most beggars are not homeless.

So how did I feel after my encounter with the woman at Lowe's? Ambivalent. I felt sort of good, but also sort of like a sucker. Probably more the latter. I definitely didn't like getting her a junk meal, but I guess that wasn't the point. I liked that she seemed appreciative, and may it did help her a little. But I decided I probably would do it again if given the same circumstance, at least not in the same way.

I have softened recently, when I considered the plight of a neighbor girl my daughter's age who fell into drugs. Nice family, good neighborhood. But she just went bad. Now they don't know where she lives. She has a child her parents have adopted and take care of. What if it was this neighbor girl whom I've know since she was six who I saw pandhandling on the street corner? I wouldn't be angry then. I would feel compassion and sorrow. I'd ask her if she needed anything or to be driven somewhere. But I wouldn't give her any money.

Any thoughts about this topic?

Jesus lived on donations during his ministry and would most likely not like your attitude towards those in need who ask.

 

[BasicHumanUnit]

I wasn't aware they existed. I must be sheltered. Can you point them out to me?

Of course you aren't. Keep watching CNN

Biden Administration To Provide Millions Worth Of Drug Paraphernalia To America’s Addicts​

https://amac.us/biden-administration-to-provide-millions-worth-of-drug-paraphernalia-to-americas-addicts/


Editorial | Giving addicts a safe drug supply will save lives in Waterloo Region

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Or one could look at it as keeping your nephew in a job.

Not off of singles.
Singles are sold primarily as promotional items at very low margins.
Singles - beer. Another story. There is 50% or more markup on single beers.
These folks also bought those.
In a liquor store they make their most money off of craft beer. Hands down.
Macro beers they make between 15% - 20%.
Micro beer they make 40% - 50%.
Just sayin.
But nevertheless, not my point. The thread asks where do you think the money goes - and i answered.

 

[Lisa558]

Maimonedes, in the Mishneh Torah, Hilkhot matanot aniyim, describes the highest level of Tzdaka as,

"Giving an interest-free loan to a person in need; forming a partnership with a person in need; giving a grant to a person in need; finding a job for a person in need, so long as that loan, grant, partnership, or job results in the person no longer living by relying upon others."

In other words, a hand, not a hand-out.

Giving a pittance either to someone on the street or to a "registered-charity" won't accomplish that.

Yes, that’s the highest level of charity. I once gave someone money to enroll is an online course that would help her get a better job.

But that doesn’t mean other forms of charity aren’t good, as well. I don’t believe in straight handouts to scam artists in the streets, but I do give to charities that are well-ranked by Charity Navigator.

 

[pknopp]

Of course you aren't. Keep watching CNN

Biden Administration To Provide Millions Worth Of Drug Paraphernalia To America’s Addicts​

https://amac.us/biden-administration-to-provide-millions-worth-of-drug-paraphernalia-to-americas-addicts/

The article states nothing about free crack or heroin. Maybe do better next time?

 

[Meriweather]

Jesus lived on donations during his ministry and would most likely not like your attitude towards those in need who ask.

Jesus was working. He noted the worker is worthy of his wage. What work are those standing at intersections doing?

 

[BasicHumanUnit]

The article states nothing about free crack or heroin. Maybe do better next time?

Right....
And CNN and MSNBC say nothing about the fact that Covid vaccines are killing millions.

But there is a silver lining......
You got the Vax and your boosters.....didn't you ?

 

[Polishprince]

Jesus was working. He noted the worker is worthy of his wage. What work are those standing at intersections doing?

In a number of major cities, the bums at the intersections will squeegee your windshield for the spare change.

 

[Moonglow]

Jesus was working. He noted the worker is worthy of his wage. What work are those standing at intersections doing?

Then pay them nothing and only listen to parts of what Jesus said.

 

[Moonglow]

Right....
And CNN and MSNBC say nothing about the fact that Covid vaccines are killig millions.

But there is a silver lining......
You got the Vax and your boosters.....didn't you ?

I didn't die

 

[pknopp]

Right....
And CNN and MSNBC say nothing about the fact that Covid vaccines are killing millions.

But there is a silver lining......
You got the Vax and your boosters.....didn't you ?

Nope. Another false accusation on your part. One more and you are out.

 

[BasicHumanUnit]

I didn't die

Yet.......

Good luck.
The long term effects of the rushed vax are still unknown. You are a Guinea Pig.

 

[Meriweather]

Then pay the nothing and only listen to parts of what Jesus said.

Perhaps listening to parts is better than twisting something into a statement Jesus did not say?

 

[BasicHumanUnit]

Nope. Another false accusation on your part. One more and you are out.

"You are brilliant".......

buh bye now

 

[Moonglow]

Yet.......

No one in my family died nor has anyone I know from COVID vax shotz. I know I will eventually die, we all do, duh.

 

[Polishprince]

Then pay them nothing and only listen to parts of what Jesus said.

Maybe I missed something in my 16 years of Christian education. Where in the bible did Jesus tell the people to go out to the intersections and ask people for spare change instead of working?