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This attitude and it’s logical conclusions are why America has this problem. Compared to most European countries there’s an utter lack of compassion for people

This attitude and it’s logical conclusions are why America has this problem. Compared to most European countries there’s an utter lack of compassion for people less fortunate. Yes, a small part of homelessness is caused by drug issues (far more drug problems are the consequences of homelessness) but you only have to look at the absence of a proper welfare state, health system, and other essential safety nets, to see why things are so bad. You want to live in a society without massive social problems, you have to pay a decent amount of tax to support the services that sustain a good society.

zarkov99 5y ago
I believe you are misinformed. There is plenty of compassion, specially in the cities discussed in the book, that is not the issue at all, nor is lack of spending at all. Please read the book, or listen to any of the podcasts the author recently did, the Joe Rogan one is good summary. Please, I do not mean to be condescending, just listen or read with an open mind. This is not about compassion vs accountability or left vs right, this is about solving a problem that is destroying American cities.
- randomsearch 5y ago
  > I believe you are misinformed I've travelled all over America and Europe. The difference between attitudes to homeless people and welfare spending is vast. I've heard so many Americans describe homeless people as "bums". > nor is lack of spending at all. The small government and lack of a welfare and healthcare system are the principle criticism aimed at the US by Europeans. It's such a shame, as there are many things I admire about America but I wouldn't want to live in such an inequitable country without these now well-established essential components of a civilised society. Having said that: > just listen or read with an open mind. As you wrote so reasonably, I will examine this material afresh, to see if it presents any convincing counter-arguments. The cold hard facts of US tax and government spending etc. will be hard to overcome, but I will be patient. > this is about solving a problem that is destroying American cities. This is certainly something we agree on, it is so tragic to see, it feels like another sign of America's downfall - a decline that has consequences for every western nation. For our part, in the UK we are headed down the American path: slashing public spending, which has led to the closure of many of our homeless hostels, eradicating the welfare safety net so that many people live on the street for lack of housing, etc. The result has been soaring homelessness in our cities on a level I had not seen outside of America until the last decade.
  - zarkov99 5y ago
    Thank you for having an open mind. The book and the author discusses Europe, specifically Holland and Portugal, two countries were I have lived, and that have successfully addressed the issue - and the issue is addiction. The main difference between those two countries and the US is not the level of spending, it is the way the money is spent and the firmness with which the addicts are guided to a solution.

zarkov99 5y ago

I believe you are misinformed. There is plenty of compassion, specially in the cities discussed in the book, that is not the issue at all, nor is lack of spending at all. Please read the book, or listen to any of the podcasts the author recently did, the Joe Rogan one is good summary. Please, I do not mean to be condescending, just listen or read with an open mind. This is not about compassion vs accountability or left vs right, this is about solving a problem that is destroying American cities.

randomsearch 5y ago
> I believe you are misinformed I've travelled all over America and Europe. The difference between attitudes to homeless people and welfare spending is vast. I've heard so many Americans describe homeless people as "bums". > nor is lack of spending at all. The small government and lack of a welfare and healthcare system are the principle criticism aimed at the US by Europeans. It's such a shame, as there are many things I admire about America but I wouldn't want to live in such an inequitable country without these now well-established essential components of a civilised society. Having said that: > just listen or read with an open mind. As you wrote so reasonably, I will examine this material afresh, to see if it presents any convincing counter-arguments. The cold hard facts of US tax and government spending etc. will be hard to overcome, but I will be patient. > this is about solving a problem that is destroying American cities. This is certainly something we agree on, it is so tragic to see, it feels like another sign of America's downfall - a decline that has consequences for every western nation. For our part, in the UK we are headed down the American path: slashing public spending, which has led to the closure of many of our homeless hostels, eradicating the welfare safety net so that many people live on the street for lack of housing, etc. The result has been soaring homelessness in our cities on a level I had not seen outside of America until the last decade.
- zarkov99 5y ago
  Thank you for having an open mind. The book and the author discusses Europe, specifically Holland and Portugal, two countries were I have lived, and that have successfully addressed the issue - and the issue is addiction. The main difference between those two countries and the US is not the level of spending, it is the way the money is spent and the firmness with which the addicts are guided to a solution.