Designs to drive away the homeless

Either you have no friends or you're lying.

This might be the most ridiculous thing ever posted on the internet. Plenty of people seem very nice...until they aren't. My cousin's wife was sweet and kind...until she coldly and methodically destroyed his life for leverage in a divorce. People thought Ted Bundy was a pretty nice guy.

Yeah, sure...pull the other one, it plays the accordion.

 

Never? You could probably write a book on how to do that. I and others I know have never had 100% of relationships last.

There are plenty of wolves in sheep's clothing. My ex is one of them. Users and abusers are very good at hiding in plain site. Look at how many times a tragedy happens and neighbors and/or co-workers say "But, s/he seemed so nice. Quiet." etc. There simply is no way to know who will go off the rails.

I have met countless people that did all the right things and had their lives put in a tailspin through no fault of their own. I would help anyone in need but I could not feed and house someone indefinitely. I don't know too many that can (or would).

 

You're talking about everyone having a responsibility to have social insurance.
That's an intriguing idea. But I think you are being entirely unrealistic.
The type of thing you are talking about sounds more like something that might have been found in a rural area in the 1930s among a Christian community.

There are many parts of the country where that notion you are describing would be completely foreign.
I mean, it would be seen as unreasonable to rely on friends for economic help. The strength of "community" and social ties are simply not that strong (in today's society, in most places).

 

I've had no friends (made in adulthood) turn out to be defective losers, no. I've been married to the same person for nearly 30 years (first marriage for both of us). I'm discerning in who I allow into my life. If you can't even get the basics right (stable, clean living, responsible, honourable, etc), then clearly you're not going to offer anything useful beyond that. And you in turn, won't benefit from my stable, clean living, responsible etc friendship.

Why did your cousin marry someone who was that flakey ('sweet' doesn't cut it)? Why did your cousin's marriage get so bad?

We've fed and housed family/friends quite a few times. Sad that you think it's an unusual thing to do, to help loved ones.

 

1) Well yes, exactly. We all DO have that responsibility .. but some people choose to avoid it.

2) It's entirely realistic, and many many people practice it - all over the world. If any given individual declares it 'too hard', that's not at all the same thing as the idea being unrealistic. That's simply the individual's personal preference.

3) Sure. It's found in all sorts of places, times, peoples, cultures, and nations. It's SURVIVAL, after all.

4) It's not about relying on friends ... it's about relying on FAMILY (and they relying on us). We would only rely on friends if we had no family, or had a crappy family. If we find ourselves in that situation, it's on us to establish and maintain strong friendships with people who will act as proxy family for us, and us for them. It's two way. We first have to be worthy of help, in either case .. and we have to be sound and stable enough to provide responsibly for our loved ones in their times of need. That's the social responsibility we all have.

5) If people choose not to maintain strong ties, then complain if/when they're left out in the cold, it's our duty to ignore them. Toddlers have a right to whine about the consequences of their own freely made choices, but adults don't.

 

1) My adult formed friendships are long-lasting. All friends are stable and decent people, irregardless of how different we might be on philosophical points. No one's getting divorced, or is still renting in middle age, or has failed their kids, etc. All would house and feed my family if genuine need presented itself. Ditto in reverse. And I actually have a solid family also .. all of us willing to do for each other in duress.

2) No there aren't. Wolves always smell like wolves, no matter how good the sheep suit. Good character is very easy to ascertain .. just look at the person's history and behaviour.

3) Peoples lives go into tailspins through no fault of our own, sure. But it's what we did for all the years before that moment, that determines whether we'll survive it or not. The point of lifelong self-discipline and responsibility, is precisely so that we can weather the storms.

4) I don't understand that attitude, at all. Housing a family in need is easy, as long as they're sound and responsible people. They contribute (from their welfare payments) towards the cost of utilities and meals, and work around the house like trojans - doing as much as they can to limit their impact. It's only an unsupportable expense and burden if the people in question are selfish @$$holes - and why on earth would you help such people?

 

I simply do not believe you. Yes, it's that simple.

 

I must say you are the first person I've ever encountered that has made 100% right decisions for your whole life.

 

More likely: he is so full of it that it is bubbling out his ears.

 

Who said I made 100% right decisions all my life? I've never claimed that .. not once. I've made PLENTY.

The specifics under discussion are BARE MINIMUMS, not special and fancy. They're basic animal survival skills. Your dog has them. Your dog knows to protect the pack, work for the pack, don't be lazy, and don't behave badly 'independently'. It's kinda tragic that you think this stuff is so 'extra' that you can't believe it's real.

 

Cool. You do you, and I'll keep doing me.

Guess what 'being me' involves today? I'm about to go and organise housing for a relative in need. How's that for coincidence.

 

Then you implied it and I never said "this stuff is 'extra'".

 

That you actually disbelieve people live this way, tells me you consider it very extra.

 

I made no comment about disbelief.

 

No conclusive and decisive remedies are ever applied to the issue of homeless people because in a profit-based capitalist society there is no profit in helping the homeless.

 

Someone said 'I don't believe you', or words to that effect. Apologies if it wasn't you.

 

LOL .. that's not the reason, at all.

It's because we refuse to address the CAUSE.

 

Apology accepted. Thank you.

 

Yeah, sure...and I'm the king of Siam.

 

Well, to be 100 percent fair, Jarlaxle, you are in Sweden, and we all know the state of the society there.

If crank's concept would only be remotely plausible in America, it would be completely alien and seen as absurd in your society.

(This should be fairly immediately apparent to anyone who is familiar with both traditional conservative areas of the US and the unique particular differences in your society. Maybe I just keep myself far more up to date on the sociology of different places in the world than most people? I am just saying, maybe we all should not be completely dismissive; at least a part of this could stem from cultural incongruity)

 

I think a big part of it is the standard American diet (corporate diet), it's only gonna get worse as time goes on, this was a failed experiment

this is causing mental issues in society imo, where people can not cope

 

What? No, I'm not in Sweden.

 

Wasn't too difficult, in the end. Some fast action and few hundred dollars changing hands, and it's all taken care of. Extended family is pitching in with physical labour and donated furnishing etc. It's never impossible. You should try it, next time one of yours needs help

 

why raising the min wage is so important, so many living paycheck to paycheck just on basic living expenses

but I agree with you, nice to have family with money to chip in and help when needed

 

Well, if family took care of their own .. and people lived within their means, none of that would matter.

Meantime, we had to pitch in a total of $300, and it was between about 12 people. The price of a nice cafe lunch, and it's a one off. If your family can't even do that they're worse than useless. They're a liability.