Dumping The Homeless!
78Could This Be True?
Back in May of 2008 I ran across a blog written by Joel John Roberts. It seems Mr. Roberts is quite an advocate for the homeless not just in Los Angeles where he is from, but all over the world.
The blog made me ask myself, "could this really be true?" Turns out it is!
As the story goes, Mr. Roberts was being interviewed by a Hawaiian television station, in regards to the states concern over mainland cities flying their homeless people to Hawaii.
The logic being that it would be hard for them to return to their original cities with the expensive price of a ticket.
The Story Continues
Now I need to remind you that this story I read is from May 2008.
Seems a local Honolulu City Council member was pretty adamant about such a practice going on. They had interviewed several homeless people and many had told of how they were paid to relocate to Hawaii, and some actually came there with their own resources.
Mr. Roberts goes on to tell how this is not a local or regional issue, but many cities will offer rides to the homeless to other cities. He goes on to say how one city in Los Angeles county posted on their web-site where the feeding programs were and they happened to be conveniently located in another city! Homelessness is a national issue, Mr. Roberts say's; it is not surprising that these people are being transported across state lines, or in this case across the Pacific.
This just goes to show you that local governments are not willing to invest the resources to provide adequate housing to address the issue of homelessness.
More Thoughts
You have to wonder who are the local communities doing such a thing? Are they using the tax payers money to fly them off to Hawaii?
I would love nothing more then to expose the communities doing this. If they have that kind of money and resources, then why not put it towards more shelters and housing, rather than passing the buck to someone else and washing their hands of the situation.
What really hits home with me, is now more than ever people are jobless, homeless and penniless. What about our Veterans? This is probably the biggest slap in the face for me, being a veteran myself. It saddens me to see how these brave men an women are being treated.
With all the abandon buildings all over the US and the world, you can't tell me that local governments can't find the resources to occupy some of these buildings for our fellow citizens!
It's sad how they can come up with the money to fly them across the Pacific Ocean isn't it?
Most Recent Update
As of January 2009 Hawaii state officials have noticed a sharp increase in the amount of homeless people across the state. Hawaii's homeless service organizations are being maxed to the limit, due to the increase in demand for services.
So therefore to remedy the situation, Hawaii's government officials are considering a "Return Home Program" that will transport the homeless back to the state they came from. The program will provide any homeless person with an airlines ticket if they can not afford one. They are hoping that they will receive better services from their own communities rather than Hawaii's strained organizations.
So what is really going on here? These people are being bounced around like a quarter in a dryer! Is this program really intended to help the homeless get back into their own communities for help? Or are we just witnessing another state washing their hands of the problem and not making an attempt to solve the situation?
Shame on the communities who spent hard earned tax payer money to ship them out. And shame on Hawaii for wanting to ship them back, rather than funneling the money back into the infrastructure to possibly resolve the situation.
I don't know what the answer is, but I am pretty sick and tired of hearing how communities are so broke but yet some can come up with enough money to fly their homeless across the Pacific Ocean. It seems to me if they put as much effort into trying to resolve the homeless problem as they do with trying to see who they can dump their homeless on, it might just be better time spent.
In Closing
I will continue to research and monitor this story. I hope to write an update soon.
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Thanks hubby, hard to believe the way we treat each other isn't it? K.
Interesting subject I will try to keep up and see if you find out more info.
Thanks Tammy, I'll be on it! Kerry.
I guess if you do a good job in taking care of your homeless, the word will get out, and more homeless will come Sad to say, but it is the truth. So what is the answer, ignore them, and they will go away?
Keep on hubbing!
Shameful practices. How low can these so-called councillors go?
I'm sad reading this, but it's reality and it happen everywhere, like in my country. I'll wait your next information about this, thank you. Interesting hub!
@ eovery thanks, communities have to start some where. They think you can ignore it but it will be there to haunt you. Thanks K.
@ scarytaff hi, it is very shameful the way we treat these people, and the way governments feel they are resolving the problem
@ febriedethan, hi, it is a sad situation now more than ever. I will continue to monitor this story and hope you'll check back. thanks K.
sad part of life. You explained this so well.
Thank you poet, true very true! K.
hey Kerry, I agree with you 200 percent about the veterans flight too, it is just sad, very sad indeed,
Keep us informed, Thank you again K, Maita
Hi PDH, you're absolutely right it is a shame the way we treat all our homeless, but especially out vets. thanks K.
Very well presented hub. I think I have a solution for the problem but I would bet that the politicians will never let it happen.
The problem of homelessness is more than a community or state problem. Many homeless people travel great distances across the country every year and there are homeless people in every state, so this is a national problem. Why not create a FEDERAL program to handle the situation?
Since many of the homeless are veterans, who unfortunately when they returned home the world had changed and their jobs and former lives were gone, I think it would be poetic justice if part of the budget for this project came from military and weapons departments. For example, eliminate 1 year of missile production from our arsenal. (We already have a stockpile of missiles dating back to the Reagan era with more being built every year to the tune of 10 Billion dollars a year.) In 2013, we are scheduled to start spending $19 Billion a year on these programs.
I don't know about you but I take care of a family of 5 on less that $30,000 a year, including food and housing and the extras like Internet, cable, toys for the kids.
How about put that $10 Billion in a bank for a year and the interest alone would give you a good head start on funding.
If we really have to have the missiles, split it down the middle... 5 Billion for weapons, 5 Billion for homeless. It could still make a huge difference. That works out to $100 Million for each state! How many jobs, shelters and programs could be made for $100 Million?
Anyway, that's my thoughts. What do you think? Is it a viable plan? Yes, I think so. Will it ever happen? I doubt it. Too many greedy politicians trying to get every dime they can for their own states. But isn't it a grand plan?
Hey palmer, great comment, I can see you put allot of thought into this. I totally agree the money is there but not for the program you recommend. You know it and I know. It's a shame that our politicians can play political football with homeless peoples lives, veterans included. Maybe you should submit this plan to your state Senator and see what happens. Have to start some where right? Thanks again K.
What a very interesting article. I had no idea this was happening. My husband is a Vietnam Vet and I know many of the homeless are vets. That group of congressmen, their wives and their staff who spent all that money in traveling in Europe last year could have fed quite a few of the hungey instead. I imagine they can well afford to pay for their own travel. I know some homeless are on drugs, or alcoholics and don't want to work. Others might benefit from some training and a chance for a new life. Our priorities are skewed when it comes to how tax dollars are spent.
Hi KPartin, this is a nice reminder for all of us and for those up there "veterans should be the priority" for what they did for the country, they deserve a home, at the very least Thank you
@ Pam thank you so much for your comment. I am a vet too and it sickens me the way they are treated. Something has to be done is right. K.
@ Alexandria, how have you been? I agree with you totally, these people deserve more. Thanks K.
Disgusting. Thanks for a great post!
I loved Apolo 13 and From the Earth to the Moon as much as anyone. Watched the movie and the HBO series multiple times. But it seems pretty silly to have a "Space Program" when we have so many citizens without food and shelter, or healthcare. We doubtless have a shameful number of programs whose dollar equivalent...
it looks and sounds like what I heard as a child from my grandparents...patrnal were a bit better off than matrnal side..Tekee had to ride the rails to Texas to find work and at one point had a store (loosely expressed) with a billiard tabl in the back :)and my dad was his only cild...my Nanny would say every every time mom would get pregnant, john Jr you have just ruint that girl! ha... while grandaddy barden, the poorer of the two families, had 50 ares n N Ga, lost it, came to Atalanta and worked for the RR...leased land from the RR to grow crops to feed all 10 kids...moma was number 8
ive said it before...we need anothe FDR and we need to reenact the CCC among one of his many new deals that the rich people of his time actually allowed to be put into motion!
@ CM, I agree very disgusting. Thanks K.
@ Rmcrayne true Space Program is very interesting but I agree they could cut a little from all the programs you would think and come up with the money I think. Thanks K.
@ RN Thanks for stopping by and giving me a read. Very interesting comment. But I do agree the old CCC program was a winner....Thanks K.
This is absolutely unthinkable. I have to admit that I'm often annoyed by the endless number homeless people who boldly approach me and beg for money. However, shipping them off as if they were garbage is not the answer. Especially when you consider that many Americans are one or two pay-checks away from being homeless (in theory and actuality ). I've never heard of such a thing; thank you publishing this (I have to bookmark this article).
Hey Bryan, I sometimes get annoyed too, but you hit it on the head they are human, and so many are just a step away from possibly being homeless. Thanks glad you enjoyed it. K.
Where I live St.Petersburg Fl was voted 2ND most hostile in the state. There are homeless panhandlers on almost every corner. I work in a local retail store and know some of the homeless folks that shop there. Most of them are running a scam and really make it hard on the folks that want a hand up not a hand out. My heart and prayers are with all the legitimate homeless families and individuals out there.
Hi mod2vint, thank you for the comment. I agree there are allot of people that are only for the hand out. And it makes it tough on the legitimate ones for sure. K.
I'm thinking if I were homeless being in Hawaii would be the best place to be...in the winter time anyway. I believe in this country, if you really want a place to live like ordinary folk do, you could find one.
Most people are homeless because either they don't want to live like ordinary folk, or because they don't know how to.
Either way, they do deserve to have their needs met. Mostly they need couseling...long before they get to the streets...and education.
Many are sick or undernurished and feel so crappy that drugs and alcohol becomes their only solution.
Some have menal illness, others are impulsive and don't know how to or don't want to manage their money.
I can't remember meeting a homless person from where I live who wasn't a smoker, which is okay I suppose, but always they just throw their cigarette buts on the ground along with their other garbage.
I live in a wealthy area, and anyone who really wants help and is willing to suck it up and go along with the program will be housed within a year or two...and that's being generous on my part.
As long as we have a sick society, sick things will happen. As long as one guy makes 8.00 bucks an hour while another makes 8 million in bonuses, homelessness will be common.
I'm the first person to criticize the system, but personal responsibility is mandatory in order to survive.
Children should be the primary concern. I knew a woman who lived in her car with a severely retarded 8 year old in diapers, but everytime they gave them housing, the mother wasn't able to manage her money and would lose the place...finally the child was plased in a group home.
I keep blankets and umbrellas in my car and give them out to whoever needs them...money and Cigs too.
Good luck figuring this out.
Rubi
Well said Rubi, something has to happen and we have to start some where...but where?? Maybe when a person is getting $8 million in bonuses, there's something wrong with this picture?? Hello??? Thanks K.
This is shameless! Thanks for reporting it!
Hi Holle, It's kind of sad that's for sure. Thanks for stopping K.
Actually, I'd prefer that none of my tax dollars go to the homeless, and I'm not trying to be mean or uncaring in making that statement. I think that the reality is that homelessness, at least in most of the cases, is a self inflicted situation. There are numerous examples of homelessness as a result of mental health issues, and on the rare occassion, one where true financial hardship exists, and in those circumstances I have some sympathy.
As anything in life, you have to be willing and able to help yourself. If you're not willing or able then why should I have to pay for that?
There are plenty of religious groups and organizations who can feed, clothe, and shelter the homeless—and perhaps do even more for them like incentivize them to return themselves to productive society.
My biggest complaint- the prison inmates are treated better than the homeless are by a huge amount. I am also a defender of the homeless and I have plans for the future, which I'll be implementing. In America the problem may seem small compared to other places, but when there is 40 million homeless in a society of less than 400 Million, it tells me there is a problem. Besides that- the homeless on a nation-wide scale is in the millions but the beds available are only about 700,000. This is another problem I see. :) Great article. :)
Springboard, how you doing? Thanks for the comment. Although I have to say I think we and I mean the US people and government seem always very eager to send our tax dollars and aid to other countries on a whim, but seem to have a hard time getting it right here at home. When our veterans are on the streets and even our fellow Americans in Louisiana, after Katrina are still without aid and shelter, I have a real problem with that. Thanks K.
Hi Cags, great comment I agree, we do take care of the inmates better than the homeless. And the inmates families for that matter too. It's a shame. look forward to hearing what your plan is. K.
Will wonders never cease? I am totally surprised but thank you for thoroughly covering the subject.
Thanks Jen for the comment. Hard to believe this stuff happens, but it does. Thanks K.
As I read this article, my blood boils again for those with no shelter. I realize it's a complex problem and not an easy fix but from my research on the NASA Budget hub, it would appear there is some extra funding we could pull from their budget - or maybe just start housing some of those without homes at the NASA golf club that seems so near and dear to NASA's heart.
There's always at least two sides to every story but unfortunately the more we allow local, state and federal government agencies to "explain their side" the more the bottom line issue gets side-tracked. People need safe shelter - period. Good hub K!
Thanks Rope, I agree, now that Obama is doing away with NASA, in favor of contractors, they should have some extra bucks! K.
Absolutely apalling, but true. I see this situation all the time in my profession. Can't tell you how many times I'm called to the local E.R.'s to assess a mentally ill patient who, in fact, is merely trying to find a warm place to stay. The shelteres will accomodate them, but if they have a positive drug screen, they cannot be accepted (understandable). We've seen drifters come through our city, not meet criteria for mental health hospitalization, then be released to nowhere. It's sad, but true. Especially if the shelters are full. I've never seen a hospital provide bus fare to another town, but I have seen them provide cab fare to a shelter. Glad you wrote about this controversial subject.
So sad really that people can reach such a level of personal degradation. Makes you sad.
Thanks for the great comment dono. It is very controversial, and will probably continue to be until a solution is found. Thanks K.
Hi fester, yes it is a very sad situation, that needs resolution.....K.
I did not know this was happening in Hawaii good grief help that people don't send them back, where are many of them going to go then? That is what is wrong with our government including state-to-state they are always passing the buck and it is always someone else's problem! :)
Hi AE thanks for stopping by. You got that right, people seem to just want to pass the buck. Wait until you read my next hub on this....stay tuned. Thanks K.
Thank you for exposing this dispicable practice ... sending our homeless to Hawaii ... this is soooo dishonorable! There are no homeless where I live but I have a heart of compassion .. especially for our vets.. our heros! Ghost Whisperer wrote a hub about Unchained Grace's Ministry to Help the Vets and Homeless. She's got some attention going there and I for one could spare a lousey dollar. I hope others will join her effort to help unchained graces efforts to get every homeless vet. off the streets and treated with dignity... Here's her Hub. http://hubpages.com/hub/Dear-world-I-cried-out-for this
This is a nation wide problem! I just left Las Vegas and the news lies! lies! lies! You wouldn't believe the 'tent cities' set up all around the back roads of the casinos. Families-children-hardworking people who paid their rent of $1500 or more each month-owners were in forclosure with the banks-took the rental people's money and a day later-they got a note on their door to get out-bank is taking over the home! BAM! Most are homeless! Had nothing to do with them not paying the rent-it had all to do with lies from the owner of the homes-and the banks not giving a HOOT that they have just put a good family out on the streets!
These people lost everything! Even their belongings! They had no savings to move them into storage-nor any money for first/last/security deposit which is hefty for any family living paycheck to paycheck! I am sooooooooo sick of seeing all of this in the United States and the news NOT DOING THERE JOB IN reporting the TRUTH nor HELPING!
The lines for social services in Las Vegas are out the door, and they would need a new road to keep the line! Most show up in the morning and are turned away by end time, without being seen..that is how long the lines are!
May God help us all! Keep pumping the news of HOMELESSNESS out there for people to see the REAL STORY! Anyone who thinks that they can not be homeless at any time--are fooling themselves!
(Thanks Mekenzi for helping Unchained Grace's ministries! You are so full of love!!)
Thanks for the comment Mekenzie. The homeless situation is a hot topic not to mention a sad one. We need more people to become involved such as yourself. Especially for our Vets! Thanks you and think positive. K.
GW77 Thank you for stopping by and posting the great comment. I agree the media and news stations do not do a good job of reporting the homeless situation. It's becoming an epidemic with the way the economy as taken a down turn. Your article on the Unchained Graces ministries was wonderful, we need to do more of this writing to force the issue on the community leaders to come up with a solution to this sad problem. Thanks again K.
Enjoyed the Hub. I use to work for homeless addicts.
Homelessness is such an issue today. Its such a difficult issue to solve on so many levels.
There are stories about homeless people who are thrown in jail and slapped a fine for 'soliciting' outside of public/private buildings. (Esp. in New York where the mayor just passed new laws to "clean up the streets")
Sad and informative hub K.
Wow, I didn't know that was going on!...that's crazy!...you're right, cities should be allocating the money in finding a solution rather than purchasing airline tickets. Hmm, on the flip-side, I wonder if there are people who are taking advantage of the 'ticket' situation. 'Acting' as though they are homeless and getting a free ticket to Hawaii...sure they would have to find a way back, but it wouldn't surprise me...It would be money that's already being wasted on people who are scamming in the process. Hmmm..
Wow talk about avoiding the problem! It's kind of like a story I read years ago about garbage floating on a barge off the coast. No one wanted it dumped in their community so it sat, out in the ocean on a barge. Clearly these people aren't garbage but they seem to be just as unwanted.
i'm glad to have stumbled upon this discussion. nearly everyday i see some other human asking for help on the streets of my hometown. i never know for sure why that person has ended up where they are, i only know that they are another person in need of help. i have witnessed so many people walk by other humans as if the need is invisible. this is a problem. we, as a people of america, i believe, are taught that it is ok to ignore the needs of those less fortunate if the need looks a certain way. if it appears that the person is not trying hard enough to help themselves. it is ok to be concerned only with our own family's well being. homelessness is a state of crisis. we would not ignore crisis in the lives of our own loved ones.
i spent time with a elderly homeless man who called himself "amtrak". i was young and working in a pizza parlor part time to support my career in theater. amtrak clearly had social issues. he quickly believed he was in love with me (probably because i actually paid him attention) and would disappear for days on end, leaving me to "worry". when he was around i would meet him after my shift at work with a meal i'd put together of food left overfrom the restaurant. we would share the meal and he would share his stories. i never knew for sure how much he was embellishing, but i gave him allowances because he was my friend and he was human. our friendship lasted for over a year. he gave me a valentine's day card during that time which i took to heart as a real obstacle for him to acquire and a kind gesture befitting friends. i offered to "help" him but he prefered to make his own way, in his own rhythm. though i worried for him i respected his decision, because he was a human and my elder! i only wish that we could all look, collectively, upon those humans less fortunate than ourselves in our own communities as still fellow humans. help out where we can, and never ignore. when we allow ourselves to deny another the grace of ackowledgement we lose a bit of our own heart.
that's the individual scale, in my opinion. i have sat down, since that first meeting, with many homeless people to offer the most precious gift i feel i have, my time and attention and concern. and acknowledgment. you are another worthy human is the message.
on the scale of government resources and monies available, of course the possibility is real. the priority must become to help the fellow human no matter his circumstance or our judgements. we have an incredible bounty available. we can each choose where to direct it.
hey figment, thanks for your comment...K
Hi yena, thank you for stopping by. You are correct it's a huge issue to resolve, but is the statement "cleaning up the streets", meaning relocate our homeless to other states and wash our hands about it? You're right again very sad. K
drej, thanks for your comment. Yeah it's going on and all too often and in way to many states and cities. Before you know it I think the ones Mayor Bloomberg shipped out will have come full circle!
Hi Mulberry, great comparison, I remember that story too. You almost feel these people are being treated like garbage sometimes. Just set them out by the curb and a Greyhound will pick them up! K.
iasme, wow great comment. You sure have experienced it first hand. And you are doing your part for sure. We need more people like you to become more involved. Thanks again K.
You've given me a lot to think about here........... and think I will!
Thank you for taking the time to make us aware of this; it is appreciated!
Kaie, hello again. It's my pleasure to make you and others think. Thanks for your comments as always. K.
How sad that instead of helping the homeless, they want to get rid of them. Where I live there was a group of people who took food to the homeless and the police told them to stop or be arrested. I don't understand this except maybe they want the UNDESIRABLE to die. They beg for money to feed the starving people in other countries but refuse to take care of their own.
Great hub and something I didn't know. Thank you for the information.
Hi Deb, it is sad. Whats really sad is people doing such a kind gesture and risking being arrested for it, unbelievable!
I don't understand either, why we are so eager to jump to the aide of other countries, and yet can't seem to take care of our own the way we should. Thanks K.
very interesting hub.
Aware thanks for the comment and stopping by. Also thanks for following. Take care. K.
Hi K Partin, First of all I want to thank you for serving our country, it is sad that in many ways, communities and even officials have turned their backs on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve their country. I think it's a shame how the homeless are being treated. Not every homeless person is an alcoholic or bum, many are victims of the economic trends that have given many the short end of the stick. Unfortunately, I see things only getting worse. Great hub and I'm glad to see you are making an effort to raise social consciousness.
IW thank you for the kind comment and stopping by. You're not alone in your response. It truly is a bad situation that I'm afraid will get worse before it gets better. take care. K.
Its so easy to simply look at a problem and say, wow, that sucks. How about taking a look, finding the root of the problem and fixing it? No where in this blog speaks of the true problems underlying the houseless situations these normal people are facing. Many working two jobs still unable to make rent. Yet people are still so quick to place the Lazy Bum stereotype on something they do not fully understand. The real issue is unaffordable housing, mixed with a poor economic, sustainable strategy. Along with greedy businessmen/women who are out there just to make a buck. But with all things, big problems must be taken step by step with all available knowledge, followed by action.
YNI thanks for your input. I have been doing an on going series on the homeless and think I have stated that the homeless are not just bums, but veterans and people affected by the economy. I have also written about one mans effort in Vancouver to attempt to try and bring shelter to many homeless. This is a situation that is on going and becoming worse everyday. There is no quick solution but every little bit of help that come along, I will be there writing about it and getting it out there the best I can. We all need to be aware of this, and do our part as small as it may be. Thanks again K.
Unfortunately the reasons people become homeless are varied and complex and there are no simple solutions.
I ran away from foster care when I was a teenager and because of my experiences living on the streets, I'm very involved with organizations, charities, and foundations that help homeless families, vets, kids in trouble, etc. so I know how tragic and widespread the problem really is.
Although many street people do voluntarily migrate to warmer climates in the winter months,I have heard of this practice of "dumping" homeless people in other states.
Thanks for bringing this issue to light in your hub.
Hi Disturbia, welcome. Thanks for your comment and I applaud you for your experience and giving back. We need more people like you and to get the story out there. I hope your life is more fulfilled now. Kerry
San Francisco did this to the homeless when Diane Feinstein was mayor. I don't know where she sent them. There are some shelters in the city but as usual, it's not enough. I think SF got a really bad rap for what Feinstein did so now they're a little better about taking care of our less fortunate brethren. I wrote a hub about the homeless in the San Francisco Bay Area which you may like to look at. Thanks for bringing this subject out.
Excellent hub!
Thanks MX, You have to wonder where these people are. It's a shame alright. I'm going to check your hub out now. Thanks again K.
Thank you for bring this terrible situation to the attention of others. My brother flew to Hawaii on business, and beyond the tourist side of Hawaii, he said the housing situation there is absolutely horrible! So why would anyone send homeless people to a state where the housing is already streached to the limit! Makes no sense at all! My bother said three generation native Hawaian families live out of doors! The whole mess is simply unacceptable! Again, thank you!
Hi Cathi, Thanks for your comment. I can't make any sense of it either. It's like let's pass the buck and see where they land. Passing these people around is not the answer and going to resolve a thing. Thanks I will continue to write about this until there is a solution, which sadly will be a long time I'm afraid. K.
just had another connecting experience with a "desolate" human. the more i connect with all people, the more i witness their life force, same as my own. i shared a good, soul-warming laugh with a man asking for help as i was stopped at a red light in my little vehicle. my friend, in the passenger seat, had her feet propped on the dashboard after a fall during our hike. she was muddy and injured looking. here he comes, all smiles, ready to give us his input. "those are some dirty feet. you trying to show them off?" we laughed together and offered him some of the almonds we were snacking on. he mused over whether he trusted that the almonds were clean enough to eat. we laughed toghether again, while my friend tried to assure this man that she had used her clean hand to serve him. great stuff. we're all on the same ride. it's ok to greet each other without bias. it's important actually.
Thanks you iasme, you're right we should look at people for who they are PEOPLE! I'm sure your almonds were appreciated. Thanks K.
How sad, how angering! I am going to your update hub now.
Great topic! When I lived in Nashville,TN, I was told that them & Atlanta basically, ever so often, would load their homeless people on a bus & ship them back & forth ever so often....Don't know if this is true! However, I wouldn't doubt it...
@ frogy Hi again thank you for taking the time to read these unfortunate stories. It is very angering indeed. K.
@ Michael, Hello how are you? Unfortunately this is happening all over the US and others countries as well. We need to bring it to the fore front and deal with it. Thanks K.
I agree K! Wished we could form a global strategy for protecting our own....People!
Michael, you hit it right on the head..."our own people" Charity begins at home! Thanks. K.
Well said
Hey Chicago, hope to see you again soon. Thanks K.
K, thank you for the attention you draw toward this great need. I would like to link this hub and the one on homeless vets to a hub I am working on. If that is okay with you.
Hi sam, I would be honored if you linked these hubs to yours. Anything to get the story out there is greatly appreciated. Let me know if I can do anything else. look forward to the hub you're working on. Thanks K.
dear K.
you are really a good person with a great thought for the homeless. i think if there are so many people like you, then there will be peace on earth.
may you touch more people's heart with your amazing articles.
thanks 4 sharing.
Hi celine, thank you for your wonderful comment, I think there are a lot of caring people out there but we have to reach more. And reach a government to show more passion. Thank you K.
It is waaay cheaper to buy someone a one way ticket to Hawaii then to pay for their food, shelter, rehabilitation,etc... it seems quite obvious to me (monetarily) why a state would ship their homeless off.... Shame on them... I have no problem supporting Hawaii shipping them back rather than having their taxpayers take care of them....
My father for the laast ten years or so, went out and did 20 inspections of homes goingi nto foreclosures per day, times 300 days a year, In one city, 6,000 left homeless, times ten years, 60,000 total. Where do you suppose a lot of these women, children and men went. Little of that includes the vets who do to Post traumatic stress syndrome, or horrible disfiguring from Iraq and Afghanistan I.E.D.'s
Would you hire a man with half his face burned off, or with no legs or arms?? or even with a prosthetic, when you could hire a whole and healthy man?? Our country is riddled with such folks, while tea partiers spend a thousand dollars a speech to listen to Sarah Palin expound on how awful it is that Obama is giving many of these same folks aid, in health care reform and other ways. we are a shallow society, full of don't take a penny of what's mine folks,
who have and refuse to part with even a smidgen of it.
They hire the illegal immigrants that they don't want the government paying health care for.It sickens me, but it is an old problem. I know of several Vietnam vets who died in the streets....even with the help I could give them. It takes a nation to fix this....not the abomanation we have had but perhaps an Obama nation is a start. The trouble is we have to many Springboards in this country and not enough of us jumping on them to do their share.And we have too many tea baggers calling them bums when most of them are real people who are down on their luck. Great hub ~~~MFB III
Yes jd, way cheaper, I'm sure that's why they do it rather than trying to help solve the situation, just pass the buck right?
MFB, what a great comment I totally agree. it does take a nation to help correct this. Let's hope and pray the Obama nation will start. It's obvious the teabaggers won't. Thank you. K.
I do so wish I could say that I am surprised by the abhorrent behavior of those who would simply ship destitute people away instead of helping them, but I cannot.
What gets me is the idea that someone would have to approach the homeless person and make this offer. How do you walk up to another human being and tell them you want to pay them to make them go be homeless someplace else?
We have such a long way to go as a "civilization." K, thank you for a passionate, beautifully written, and incredibly important Hub!
Hi GS and thank you again for stopping by. Yes most not all communities would rather sweep the homeless under the carpet rather than try to come to a resolution. I think all the money spent on air fare and bus tickets could be put to better use. They should be walking up to the homeless and asking..how can I help. K.
One other sad thing, is that some cities will not even acknowledge that they have the homeless among them. Several years ago, the mayor of my city said there were no homeless people here. Just the day before he said that I was downtown and saw several homeless people.
It's great to keep this issue in front of everyone. Thanks.
Hi mq, a lot of cities will not admit it, or they just ship them out to another city and wash their hands of the situation. Just pass the buck the old story. Thanks. K.
Sad as it is riduculous. We throw people away like so much trash, who should we blame? Great thought provoking hubs, Keep on Hubbing. Blake4d
It is a sad situation Blake and the stories are far too many.....thanks for your support. K.
@MFB: yea, what are these tea baggers really up to? and why is this nation deciding that obama isn't doing the job? (poll ratings?) doesn't he have a huge mess to clean up? doesn't that take time? isn't that why we elected him? because he has the tools to do it! let the man work. health care reform that takes the privilege away from the mega corporations and gives it back to the everyone. (though make sure that the government subsidized healthcare isn't too invasive, or skip the penalty charge). that's what we need. stop spending on a war going nowhere. admit that we need to find a different path. bold, brave moves. but, this president is up against some serious players. those who would, as you said, "have and refuse to part with even a smidgen of it". bless him in his honest efforts and i know i'll be voting for him again next election if he's not too pissed off to run. (honestly, i would be. let's hope he's a bigger person than me...)
@ K: not trying to stray from your subject, just noticing a trend of narrow minded politics. not going to evolve us as a nation. democracy means "by the people", all of them, that is.
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hubby7 2 years ago
Interesting article. The homeless are people too. It reminds me so much of nobody wanting their backyard used as a toxic waste dump or land fill. Again, interesting article.