Quote:
Originally Posted by bvpcvm
WestCoast, I'd be curious to know your thought process behind this. What steps get you from "poor" to "lazy"?
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so, again, in simple terms:
1) this isn't a good use of port land. I think most people agree that our remaining industrial land should support industrial causes. Not sure anyone with any sense disagrees on that. Jobs with good wages are better than subsidized housing that costs $10,000/month in just rent....
2) To the social issue: when you give stuff away, it removes the incentive to work for something.
I realize this board is full of utopian dreamers (and I respect that on an architectural and development level).
The simple fact is that a significant portion of the homeless population does it by choice.
It's easy, you put out a box and people give you cash, your drugs are legal, or easily accessible, you get food stamps, or get free food at shelters and a free bed if it's too hot or cold.
It's not glamorous, but, in general, it's totally free.
The 'real' homeless and needy are marginalized by these lazy people. Those that decide living outside of social norms gives them some right to make a mess wherever they want... pitch a tent wherever they wish.... It's disgusting.
Does anyone think that if we forced these people to clean up, move out and limited their handouts, that they would keep hanging out here? No, and if every city took some hard line on it, we'd see these people figure it out and decide to take responsibility for themselves.
Those addicted to drugs, or with mental problems, need the full compassion of a city and society. But, that doesn't mean opening huge warehouses for people to stay for a night.
That kicks the can down the road. Just like letting them sleep wherever, do drugs wherever, beg on the streets wherever.....
Society is failing those less fortunate, no doubt... but not in the way most of you think.
Giving them more and more and more and more free stuff, more and more leniency, doesn't address the problem. Just makes one side happy and the other mad. And no progress is made to help our fellow members of society get it together and make a life for themselves.