Some people are suggesting we need to be compassionate toward those in society that have to deal with the problems associated with homelessness. While that is t

Some people are suggesting we need to be compassionate toward those in society that have to deal with the problems associated with homelessness. While that is true I think it is better to focus on being compassionate towards the homeless. There is an interesting question I have heard: who is more free, a person who lives in a society with minimal laws but has substance abuse issues and is not really in control of themselves or a person who lives in a society with more restrictive laws but is in control and not dealing with addiction. I generally agree with the second one, but opponents of laws like this one are in the first camp. I think the skewed understanding of freedom is the root of the dissent on this law. It is not compassionate to allow people who have impaired facilities due to mental illness and/or substance abuse live life as a homeless person. Many people with those issues are unable to solve their problems on their own. Letting them continue on this destructive path will not allow them to have freedom. Freedom is not just being able to do X, but being able to choose to do X. We can help treat people with these type problems and let them have true freedom. Both the individual and society will be better even if we remove their "freedom" to be homeless.