4 ms·
The left doesn't want to differentiate between the categories of homeless people because it doesn't fit the narrative. Writers would like us to believe that th
by manv1 4y ago
The left doesn't want to differentiate between the categories of homeless people because it doesn't fit the narrative.
Writers would like us to believe that the vast majority of homeless are people down on their luck, who are working jobs and just need a break.
Unfortunately, most homeless (at least on the West Coast where I live) are mentally ill, drug addicts, lifestyle homeless, or a combination of those. They don't fit into modern society, and don't particularly want to. They say they want to, but when push comes to shove they'd rather not be subject to "rules."
There are always people who don't want to be part of society. Today they've become more media savvy and are saying what the left wants to hear. As far as I can tell no local reporter has ever tried to cross-reference a homeless person's story, or pressed a homeless person on why they don't use the multitude of resources available to them.
OTOH, I don't blame them. Why get a job and be part of the system when you can just hang out, steal shit, and smoke up? It's a modern hunter/gatherer life.
- aidenn0 4y agoI don't have up-to-date numbers, but last I checked it was something like 1/4 to 1/3 of homeless qualify as "chronically homeless." The majority of the homeless are not in the 3 categories you mention. Those who are just "down on their luck" are much more likely to be living out of a car, or in a shelter as opposed to living on the street. They are also much less likely to be panhandling. So it can be simultaneously true that most homeless are "just down on their luck" and that most homeless you encounter are not.
- version_five 4y agoI agree with some aspects of your comment, but I don't expect any material portion of the homeless are part of some kind of homeless lobby. People who don't want to be part of society don't want to be part of society and are not going to spend time on Twitter complaining about policy. And people with mental health problems are dealing with those. It's the usual well-off hobbiest crowd that probably represents themselves as representing a diverse group, and does all the complaining.
- cjwilliams 4y agoYour comment may be correct when talking about the visible homeless. Yes there is a new class of lawless junkies damaging the urban fabric of the west coast. But there are many more homeless that are not visible and not criminals. These people are just less fortunate in social connections and skills and they need help. That said addicts who have chosen a life of boosting and getting high need institutional correction. Unfortunately the right wants to pretend all the homeless are junkies and the left that all are single moms who are underpaid and cant afford rent