Criminalizing Homelessness Is A Bridge Too Far. What Are The Homeless To Do?

[TheMastersNemesis]

The rise in anti vagrancy laws which is what anti homeless laws really are all about is a harbinger of a heartless nation. When you cannot sleep in public or actually even sit down in a public park something is radically wrong with us. What the homeless to do when they have no bed or nor shelter. Everyone must sleep sometime somewhere.

These anti homeless laws and Denver, Colorado has some of the worse laws now are an embarrassment to a civil society. There are simply not enough shelter or affordable housing for the lowest income citizens. Our homeless people are essentially men and women and children without a country. They are economic refugees with no place to go. Nobody wants them around.

I spent four years working at a homeless shelter in the 1990's when at DOL. It was a very rewarding experience. And a lot of these people are not just drunkards or drugees. Alcoholism and drug use are also a result of losing all hope. Homelessness is epidemic and is a symptom of failed economics and a failure of our society in general.

Criminalizing homelessness with these "vagrancy" type laws is no different than if you criminalized being disabled. We have one party that would do that as well.

[chalmers]

1. The rich and powerful are inching their way to a final solution

people aren't outraged because it is being done incrementally.

[2naSalit]

2. Ding Ding Ding!!

Right you are!

[PowerToThePeople]

3. All of us are targets.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

[moondust]

6. How much longer until poverty is a crime?

Perhaps eventually punishable by death because incarceration is expensive and requires paying taxes. TAXES!!!

[SoLeftIAmRight]

4. The law, in its majestic equality - Anatole France - 1894 - old news

"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

[onethatcares]

5. after the floods in Missouri

how many will be added to the roles of the homeless and destitute? Where will those citizens go to find shelter?

I'm waiting to see what happens with that.

[AZ Progressive]

7. It's America's "winners and losers" mentality run amok

In America, thanks in part to its puritan roots, the puritan work ethic and super-capitalism, life is seen as a game of winners and losers. "Winners" in society are lauded and given lots of respect, while "losers" are looked down, ignored or kicked to the curb and seen as a bothersome nuisance. It's no wonder why Americans are such good liars and why men have to always portray a lot of confidence despite the reality. Noone dare wants to be seen as a "loser" even though many "winners" actually had to lose before winning. Thats why people who go through struggles in life only acknowledge them AFTER they have overcome them.

The homeless of course are seen as "losers" and thus deserving of their loss, and as a bothersome nuisance that would be preferred to sweep under the rug or taken away from sight. Not only that, they are also seen as weak and for many people, when they see someone as being weak, that stimulates their inner bully and America's culture encourages them to be aggressive.