What in the hell is a vagabond? That sounds like a mix between denture glue and Vagasil, I hope you aren't mixing them. Ouch! Really, did you have to choose that name?
Homeless people are homeless for reasons that never end. There is no answer, some homeless people are homeless by choice. They have money, they have the ability, they just don't. Some people want to get out, but just can't.
Vagabond is an appropriate synonym for a hobo/homeless person, at least in the United States.
I know that many are mentally challenged in one way or another, so holding a steady job for many of them is not an option. They are not sick enough to be placed into state run care facilities like a homicidal maniac might be, but they are clearly a common source of crime, especially theft. Some might also have drug problems, or have just found that downward spiral in the toilet of society. There are certainly a myriad of reasons why someone would live in the streets. I think really the only thing a government can do is to "throw money" at the problem. Allocate more funding for psychiatric facilities and job training for those who are capable. Affordable government subsidized housing would also have to me a must. But it's hard to convince people to get behind such legislation considering the overwhelming costs.
It is myh Capitalist right to help out homeless people. You make Capitalism sound like such a vile and disgusting system. Yet the most free nations in the world practice it and have very low numbers of homeless people.
I think really the only thing a government can do is to "throw money" at the problem. Allocate more funding for psychiatric facilities and job training for those who are capable. Affordable government subsidized housing would also have to me a must. But it's hard to convince people to get behind such legislation considering the overwhelming costs.
We could "throw money" if we could save the 40 billion dollars going to Iraq every month. And, capitalism is not vile.
I suppose that because I grew up in Texas I have a different view on homeless people. A lot of them are a trick down there. There is actually a company that hires people to stand on the side of the road and beg for money. I only feel bad for a small percentage of homeless people in America. Those that are possibly mentally ill, etc.
Most, I do not feel sorry for. Being a bum is a choice a lot of them make. I see this on shows like Intervention and specials on homeless people. They prefer to live on the streets and beg. Hell, I even saw where this millionaire gave away all of his money because he wanted to live on the streets as a bum. He said: "It is so much less responsibility."
Well, I just moved from the richest county in North America, but minutes away from there is the slums of DC. It is out there, and sometimes it can be pretty hard to watch if you aren't used to it.
People in that condition are usually the affect of their doing. Look at MC Hammer, Michael Vick, etc. Even the rich can become bankrupt just like that. Bad financial plans and uses of money lead to all of your money being gone.
To help against this is another story. We give to charity and it does help, but not as much as you may think.
@Ash, that's a pretty interesting story you got there. I would never want that kind of life, but it's his choice.....
well I would say living minutes from chicago helped me realize hobos are real and will be there until the end of time but they need to get a job and help the economy
@tehblackknight, they can't just go out and get a job. Would you hire a random hobo off the street? I wouldn't. I would hire someone that has experience, has at least some sort of education, (preferably high school level) and someone with a clean record.
Hobos usually don't have experience in alot of things, but if they have any, then it isn't that much. Also, if hobos had a high school education, they wouldn't be on the streets anyway. And to be honest, I think hobos do tend to steal what they can, and I bet some have had a run-in with the cops once or twice.
There are homeless where I live. most of them are mental, and it strikes me. The economy is THIS bad that we can't care for the mentally sick people that need care?
thepyro, it really is a fickle thing. We have medicaid for those people but it is never simple for them. Without a home for case managers to come visit them there is no helping them. It is sad. That is where I have a soft spot for the homeless.
I thought Vagabond was a wanderer or just a traveler. Because that's what I want to do in my life, just wander and travel. But yeah, I feel bad for some bums but then again I think 'Hey, they chose to live in the box and getting looked down on people' so I don't. And I've made some friends with some really cool bums I've met in random places. Most of them are pretty normal and are up for a conversation.
