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nonightowl · Aug 06, 2023, 06:00 PM

I agree, Mar Dhea. The US has a poor safety net and is stretched even thinner now. The poor even live in hotter places, as poor neighborhoods have less shade in general and they can't afford a/c.

My thought is that both the government and private sector (with the deep pockets of companies like Amazon, whom I hate) have to team up and address not only a solution to the current homeless, BUT PREVENTION. They are completely turning a blind eye to stuff like rent increases, low wages, weak protections for tenants, not enough "affordable" housing (that word is different to different people, depending on who you ask).

I saw a sign on a post saying the US, like the mighty Roman empire, needs to fall and rebuild: The whole capitalistic system and unequal distribution of wealth. And the government seems to see the homeless as either drug addicts or mentally ill. It's not that simple! In this country, anybody can become homeless. What if someone loses their job, doesn't qualify for any kind of help (or the wait list is 8 years long), and has no family or friends to give a $hit???? We have income restrictions, age restrictions, etc. for any kind of "help". And they demand so much proof, assuming you're a fraud and trying to scam the system. The poor are assumed to be either stupid or dishonest.

I'm off on my rant, as I just feel so strongly about it like you do. That was kind of you to think of helping him, but also at the same time of your safety. He could have been dangerous, but not all homeless are dangerous. There are housed, dangerous people too......

If EVERYBODY earned enough to feed, clothe, house themselves and had medical coverage too, there would be no need for government benefits...which are hard to qualify for and cumbersome to apply to. And the mindset of "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" here HAS to go. In the US, if $hit happens, it's your fault. You made poor choices or judgments. Individual responsibility on everything. How often do you hear "What YOU can do". If your house burns down, it's your fault. If you get mugged, your fault. If you end up homeless, it's your fault. There are even people who work full-time that are homeless. A disgrace! Anyone working full-time should definitely be housed.

Like you I fear for this country, for years now. Like SplitImage I see homeless everywhere. They aren't just in camps that get the media attention.

I can run into someone in random places, like you did.

More and more so-called "housing" is going up around me, but they are luxury high rises that only the rich can afford. Often there are tents in front of this new construction or across the street. It's ironic, as if to make a statement.

It doesn't help that we criminalized homelessness for decades, and since it has been around that long, fixing it will be an uphill battle.

The US is no longer the dominant or SuperPower it was. Honestly it's embarrassing to be in this country now. Our allies and enemies are watching the decline as well. In my opinion, the decline started many years ago, and I wonder if we'd exist for another 20 years.

In sci-fi or dystopia, it's ALWAYS the US that falls. Not Russia, China, Canada, Sweden, Italy, Brazil, etc. (Just random countries I picked) I feel strongly about this so can't help my rants. I'll stop now.