asterism
Congress != Progress
Is that your reply to disabled veterans as well?
That depends on the situation. If they refuse to give up the needle then yes. I don't see the purpose of a vet showing me his VFW card and then telling me he needs some money for food - two blocks away from the VFW where he's always going to get a meal and even a few beers. I told that guy to get in the car and as we were driving I told him where i was taking him.
"Oh I don't like the food there."
Then there was the guy I met last week who said he'd been homeless for 3 years and flew here looking for work and couldn't find any. I asked him if he tried the many citrus plants because it's picking season and he said, "that's for the Mexicans." So this guy is capable enough to take a plane to Florida, supposedly desperate enough to panhandle but won't pick fruit? But I still felt he deserved a meal so I offered to walk with him across the street and buy him lunch. He had the same answer:
"I don't like the food there."
What do you think should be done in those situations?
Well first, I don't look at poor people and see losers who won't work. I see people JUST LIKE ME who have problems, and need and DESERVE my help.
Um, so do I which is why I offered to help. What I was not willing to do was give them money to feed the railroad tracks on their arms.
What are you doing to help?
Addiction is a terrible, difficult problem and I have no easy answers. I commend you for getting involved with these people face to face......but do you really think a vet would be an addict if he had never seen combat?
In many situations, yes. In some situations no, but they still have to make the effort. If they aren't willing to get treatment (or not willing to do it again) there is nothing I can do to help them.
The problems of these men and women are more complex, and they are just as deserving of help.
I agree which is why I continue to try and help. I think where we disagree is whether a government program is even capable of helping. I suspect you think it is and therefore should receive more funding. I don't. That said, the song references a textile mill that was closed. Do you really think a textile mill is going to help a drug addict?