Do you think the poor and elderly should starve and live in the streets?
147812
clinton had TANF reform, and helped to get people off of welfare.  \n\nVote Democrat!
300266
If that person has made a conscious decision to live on the streets then I dont think they would want any help.  However, Id say that nearly all homeless people do not want to live on the streets.  Many of them have mental illness and simply do not know how to get a job and run a house.  Some homeless people have been released from a prison or a mental hospital and have nowhere to go.  Homeless men especially have often gone through a divorce and have lost their house etc to their wives, sometimes they also lose their job/money due to the stress (or maybe this is what triggered the divorce?), and so they end up with nothing and on the streets.  Its also possible they have had alcohol/drug problems and lost their house because of this, although this is often a by-product of becoming homeless. Or they may have lost their jobs,or been unable to pay their rent and been evicted.  There are many reasons why an adult may become homeless, and I dont think many choose to, I can only guess that these ones maybe have a learning difficulty and believe that life may be easier just drifting here and there and not having to socialise.  As for people who dont want to be homeless you could help them by bringing them soup/warm food and drinks, or suggesting local shelters.  you could also volunteer with a soup kitchen program or donate to a 'homeless' charity.  Well done for querying about homelessness without judging-too many people just presume 'drugs' and this is not always the case.  All the best!
591849
not every country. some nations can't even afford to feed their own people. They should concentrate on earthly needs first.\n\nBut the ones that can afford it, sure.
818609
It ought to be mandatory to get food assistance in 3rd world countries where they are producing babies as fast as they starve to death, but it's not a bad idea here, especially if they are 3rd generation welfare recipients. I'm one of the working pooor who gets annoyed at people on food stamps driving better vehicles than I have, have their rent paid for, who whine about not getting more money and spitting out babies to get more benefits. Gee, I guess I'm developing an attitude :P
829391
EXACTLY! When I was younger I used to feel sorry for the people on the streets... I never gave them money but I did drive through a fast food place a couple of times and buy them food and go back and drop it off. Then I seen library park in Phoenix, AZ., and the food lines, etc! The only reason a person is homeless is because they choose to be! We have an overabundance of help programs and some states even have welfare for single men! I live in a city where there are an extreme amount of people getting SSI and Social Security and working (or hustling) under the table for cash and they live much better or at least have many more $$ flow through their hands each month than alot of people. I don't believe that drug addicts and alcoholics should be eligible for these benefits... In addition, I think the funniest thing I have seen is a huge man walking into the grocery store in the middle of the afternoon with his food stamps going to buy groceries.... instead of giving him food stamps and a check... make him get off his duff and work... then we won't have to pay for his stomach staple proceedure either! A friend of mine that is a millionaire went to our local Dr. that has been doing all of those proceedures and he wanted to have it done. He carries private blue cross and the Dr. would not even schedule him for a interview because he didn't have title 19.My friend told the Dr.s office that he has cash...... they said they couldn't take cash because in the case of complications it can run upwards of $100,000.00 again my friend said.... I have cash. They just told him they were sorry they couldn't help him.... however, I personally know 7 people that have had the surgery lately and another couple that are scheduled for it and they are all on welfare! Now if that ain't something! Now don't get me wrong... we do need programs that can assist.... but they need to know when enough is enough and their is a big difference between a hand up and a hand out!
795013
Some do. Here is my opinion though I was homeless when from the age of 17 till 19 thats two years it was because my father was abusive and I didnt want any part of it so I left I prefered to be on the street rather than live with someone who beat me everyday and yes there was the option for me to live in a group/foster home but when I tryed that people where just as abusive and so I chose the life of the streets. I did use my time wisely though I found a job and worked my butt off and did nothing but safe my money I didnt spend a penny unless I really really needed something. I save my money till I had enough to rent a studio. I never dreamed i'd have the luxarys I have today. I have a 2 bedroom townhouse with everything ive ever dreamed of and I am never hesitant to give out money to others in need, because i've been there and I volanteer my time to the local shelters as much as I can because I know how bad it is and I am just one of the lucky ones to get myself out've living on the street. I think more people need to help the homeless not just giving money or anything but you can donate your time to help those in need or something. I feel though that i've you dont try to at least take yourself out've poverty than I dont want to help you. I feel for the homeless children out there especially because I know just what its like and NO kid out there no matter what they've done or whats being done to them should not be out on the street. Gosh I could go on and on about this topic I give you a thumbs up for this topic.
321521
Absolutely...\n\npeople come here and just sponge of the welfare state and the NHS is in a bad enough state as it is....
560560
People who live off "the system."  Able bodied people should have to work for living just like anybody else.  I, as a tax payer, am sick of supporting people who need to get off their dead a** and get a job!
874560
Oh Bloody Hell yes. But what are we to do? For most of us the alternative is idler's benefits then we are slaves to poverty.  Some choice!
718271
No. I think if they are on welfare, there must be a reason why they are on it. If they are on the system, they should do whatever it takes to get out of it. I would really like to see my tax dollars being used for people who accualy need to be on welfare as oppose to ppl who take advantage of it.
730394
i think i understand your question a little.\nBeggers in any part of the country are hopeless and have no choice to make in their lives. It people who are generous who give enough money for organizations which can make a difference in people's lives. With people who do not care about the homeless and beggers, the world will never progress. Hopefully this answers your question. Take care\n\ntrisha
1165391
I think rent control ought to be law, It should be 1/4 of your pay a month. If your unemployed and collecting unemployment it should be 1/4 of that. If going to a lesser paying or more paying job it should be adjusted to that pay. Every body should have a right to live in a shelter dwelling. Than living on the streets. that will eliminate have of the homeless on the streets.
1085507
Hunger and poverty will always be around, but their burden can be lessened significantly.  While we cling to our faith that government will deliver us, provided that we let ourselves be taxed to death, no great dent can be put in the global issues of poverty and hunger.  \nWelfare and foreign aid do nothing but give harmful bureaucracies more and more power to abuse.  Such programs look good, but they create a system of force: govt steals from us, calling it compassion, making us victims who "gave at the tax office" and perpetuates a dependency on legalised theft.  That is not "social responsibility"!  This is a perversion of the concept of compassion, of charity, but as long as we trust religion and/or government to rescue us, there is no real help for the poor.  \n\nCompassion, NOT compulsion.  http://www.bureaucrash.com/
406120
some people who live in poverty choose not to do anything about it...like get a job or an education. and some is just laziness
913619
No.  Most of the homeless people where I live have a serious drug or alcohol problem.  I refuse to give someone money or help them get a job after I've seen them shoot up on the stairs of my building.  Many of them have tried to bully me out of money while I was AT WORK by claiming I was obviously rich since I had a job ($5/hr).  But I have no problem placing my leftover takeout meals on the sidewalk where they can find them (takes about 30 seconds since I'm in NYC) along with old clothing/shoes/blankets that I come across.  I've had people come up to me at my job 5 or 6 times in one day begging for money because I once gave them a quarter 2 years ago.  I will not establish a relationship with a dependent person in my own neighborhood.  They will never be satisfied and they will always ask for more.
431178
I would buy several truck loads of can goods and help stock up some food pantries for homeless people.\n 250,000 (they are relly in need after the winter months)\nThen I'd take another good amount and start a little program to help the elderly eat better. 200.000 (those that are stuck at home and can't get out in the winter..\n\nDonate 100,000. To the Shriners Hospitals\n\nTake the rest and start a seed fund to help Mothers and their children...that are homeless..\n\nAnd that is what I would do !
544727
i think that would be, "why are lazy people poor?" which is  a no-duh!