toldailytopic: What is the appropriate way to help the poor?

[some other dude]

pssst - Lighthouse...

aggie rides the short bus.

....and eemee would if he could figure out how to get on.

 

[One Eyed Jack]

Offer them a hand-up instead of a hand-out.

 

[some other dude]

Yep. :thumb:

What OEJ said.

 

[PureX]

Unlimited handouts, new shelters, only seems to create more homeless people.

What's the appropriate way a society could help the less fortunate?

If the man is homeless because he has no job, or can find no job that will pay enough for him to buy a home, then why not give him a decent job?

If the man is homeless because he is addicted to self-destructive behavior, then why not send him to an addiction recovery home where he can perhaps be rehabilitated?

If the man is homeless because he is mentally disabled. why not send him to a mental hospital where he can be properly treated, and helped to become functional to the degree that he is able.

If the man is homeless because he has suffered some mental or emotional trauma, then why not send him to a psychologist where he can get some help in dealing with this trauma so as to return to a functional life.

Unfortunately, though, many of these conditions can become so physically and psychologically entrenched that the homeless man will not accept our help, and will return to the streets as soon as he is free to do so. And he will likely die, there, as a result.

Should we force him into a shelter? Or does he have the right to destroy himself in the street, in front of everyone?

And who is going to pay for all these forms of help and rehabilitation?

Should all the members of our society be made to help support these forms of social aid even if some of them do not wish to?

These are tough questions. My personal opinion is that most of these questions will require that we find a balance between the various opposing solutions, if at all possible. We should offer help, and even insist on it up to a point. And we should all be willing to pay for it (or made to pay if we are not willing) but only up to a point. There must be some cut-off point where those who insist on refusing aid be allowed to go their way.

 

[some other dude]

Another epic tardfest courtesy of the Aggie and eemee show! :wave2: