I just don't get homeless people. I have never really been around that many since I am from Lubbock. We had like 3, and they mainly hung out by "The Strip". I remember a one-legged guy, and a lady that I'm pretty sure was just a prostitute, but that is the extent of Lubbock's homeless population. So you could imagine my astonishment when I moved to Austin. They are EVERYWHERE! It doesn't matter if it's the nice part of town, North, South, or shit-hole... you better believe there's gonna be a homeless person on each corner of that intersection! I wonder if they have specified corners to sit at? Are some corners more profitable than others? Do they have bum-fights to settle their corner-quarrels? It's a sub-culture here, crazy!
I do not feel bad for them. Call me crazy, but I have seen that Barbara Walters Special about homeless people. They make a killin out there! I always remember that one guy who collected something like $500 in one day, and then walked around the corner to get into his luxury car. It's a joke! How do you know if someone is legitimately homeless or not? The truth is, I could really care less who is or isn't homeless, I still do not feel bad for them. In the 8 hours they spent sitting on their ass collecting other people's income, they could have walked their "hungry" ass right down to McDonald's and applied for a job. Easy as that! If they really wanted a better life, they could get it. Begging is the LAZY way, not the right way. (same category as low-life drug dealers) (no offense to respectable drug dealers)
When I first moved here, I was riding with a friend one day, and he decided to give a dollar to a begger. I was not a fan! I immediately expressed my opinion on the matter, and we agreed to disagree. I guess people down here are more okay with it than others, but I am not included in that group.
***If you are a grenade-launcher-begger, and your sign says hungry.... take your fat ass home!!! (no pun-intended)
***If your sign is funny or witty, GREAT effort! I still do not feel bad for you, but if you give me a chuckle on my way to work, you might just get a dollar! eg: "You may live in a $200,000 home... but I live under a $2 million bridge!"
***The new "Bottled Water For Sale" idea is great! I love seeing those guys on a Sunday morning drive-of-shame! You get $2!!!
***I understand that with the financial crisis our Nation is in, there are an abundance of respectable people without jobs. I have seen some of these people on the corners, with signs about their kids and homes at risk, etc. BUT!!! Let me assure you sir, your kids would much rather you come home and say that you went to 4 unsuccessful interviews today than come home and tell you that all of their friends on the bus saw their Dad beggin for money on the corner. Trust me!
Posts
