Possessions as Social Capital

[dmc]

I work across the street from the largest men's shelter for the homeless in this region. Buses from the county drop off homeless here weekly. During nice weather they render the nearby city park unusable by anyone other than their groups. I am talking about a hundred people out milling around at any one time.

Vagrants or the homeless, whatever you want to call them--are threatening in large groups. They shout obscenities, fall into random fights in front of you where you are physically in danger, strew their stuff all over the area, and urinate and defecate wherever. There are killings in this 1 block area about every 2 years.

I am stunned by the naivete in thinking that providing charming cottages will solve this. But hey, go for it. Let's just buy each homeless person a Tumbleweed house, problem solved.

I would like to know for each person who has answered on this thread: when is the last time you were surround by 10+ homeless men? Not just one lone guy, but 10+? I am, daily, in that situation.

Glad I live in the county.

[dmc]

When does the victim mentality end Steve?

[Gardenarian]

I am sad that the OP's thoughtful comments devolved into an argument about who is responsible for homelessness.
The homeless have no status symbols and are clearly on the lowest rung of the social ladder, and look at the antipathy and revulsion they evoke - simply by existing.
This is judging by appearances again, just at a different level.
I feel I have more to say but I am lucky enough to have a job I have to go to.

[redfox]

When does the victim mentality end Steve?

What is the victim mentality?

[catherine]

I am sad that the OP's thoughtful comments devolved into an argument about who is responsible for homelessness.
The homeless have no status symbols and are clearly on the lowest rung of the social ladder, and look at the antipathy and revulsion they evoke - simply by existing.
This is judging by appearances again, just at a different level.
I feel I have more to say but I am lucky enough to have a job I have to go to.

It is amazing, isn't it, how often a thread started in any forum winds up being a Public Policy debate.

[pinkytoe]

It devolved partly because without our possessions, either mental or physical, we are seen as having no value.

[catherine]

It devolved partly because without our possessions, either mental or physical, we are seen as having no value.

Yes. All too true.

[dmc]

What is the victim mentality?

Look it up. Use whatever search engine you like.

[dmc]

It devolved partly because without our possessions, either mental or physical, we are seen as having no value.

Some people are just liabilities.

[catherine]

Some people are just liabilities.

Interesting that you used an accounting term.