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I used to subscribe to this idea as well, until a friend of mine told me this: "Have you thought of the fact that you're enabling people to be homeless, thereby

I used to subscribe to this idea as well, until a friend of mine told me this: "Have you thought of the fact that you're enabling people to be homeless, thereby making the problem worse rather than better?". This really struck me, since I agreed... I'd rather work on the causes than the symptoms.

bherms 14y ago
"If you can heal the symptom, but not affect the cause, it's quite a bit like tryin' to heal a gunshot wound with gauze." -- Phish, __Sand__ Had to plug my favorite group :)
- lazugod 14y ago
  I don't understand the comparison. What are you supposed to do to a gunshot wound other than prevent bleeding, which gauze would do?
  - bherms 14y ago
    It's talking about the reason for being shot in the first place... Gang violence, war, etc.
    - lazugod 14y ago
      Oh, that makes sense.
JeremyStein 14y ago
If their only other option is to pull themselves together and get a job, then I suppose that's true. It seems unlikely. Don't use this as an excuse to do nothing. Be smart, but be compassionate.