It is astonishing to me how these tent cities or homeless camps are rising across America.  Many cities across America are responding with portable toilets, trash pickup, and social worker visits. 

• Nashville, Tenn (eviction notices to those living under a highway overpass were suspended by the Mayor);
• Tampa, Florida (county considering a proposal by Chatolic Charities to run an emergency tent city for more than 200 now homeless citizens);
• Ontaria, East of Los Angeles (provides guards and basic city services for a tent city on public land);
• Lacey, Wash (started a homeless camp in a parking lot);
• Sacramento, Cali (a task force was formed because homeless shelters are overflowing);
• New York City (officials last months hut down a tent city in East Harlem);
• Seattle, Wash (repeatedly boots people off public land where tent cities pop up);
• Champaign, Ill (tent communities are emerging and the city council has allowed them); and
• Many (many) other towns and cities across America.

Jennifer Levitz, Cities Tolerate Homeless Camps, WALL STREET JOURNAL, Aug. 10th, 2010, online.wsj.com/article/SB124994409537920819.html

Here, in Seattle, authorities attempt to prevent the popping up of tent cities

 Unlike Seattle, many tent cities are being authorized by the local authorities

 A tent city pops up and begins to grow in Sacramento, California

The authorities tearing down a tent city in St. Petersburg, FL

I anticipate a surge in violent attacks against the embattled homeless as their numbers surge.  It will be interesting to see how local communities respond to this "change" in America.  I know many communities are receiving federal grant money to respond to this homelessness/joblessness surge.  Many homes are also abandoned in the United States. 

• Have any of you seen a tent city or homeless camp rise near you?  
• Do you know how your town or city has responded to the surge in homelessness and unemployment?

Here is one simple solution.

Homeless Solution

Originally posted by Dekron

Here is one simple solution.

Homeless Solution

The problem has become so pervasive and profound that we could not possibly send all of our homeless to California.  In fact, I think I read somewhere that California is facing a 26 BILLION dollar deficit.  Good grief.  Typically cuts to the homeless are the very first to go.  

We have a crisis with expanding joblessness ("jobless recovery") and homelessness in the United States.  I anticipate associated problems from this to grow in proportion with the surge in homelessness and joblessness.

We should all show compassion for them; these are our neighbors, fellow citizens.

While your zeal is admirable and I do have compassion for them, it is not my responsibility to provide for them. While I may pass a buck or provide a meal, I will never give a large handout to a homeless individual. I will gladly give what I can to a shelter, but not to an individual.I would gladly give on my terms, but not forced by a tax.

Your ideals, however, dictate they should disperse or be tazed as they are breaking the law.

Originally posted by Dekron

While your zeal is admirable and I do have compassion for them, it is not my responsibility to provide for them. While I may pass a buck or provide a meal, I will never give a large handout to a homeless individual. I will gladly give what I can to a shelter, but not to an individual.I would gladly give on my terms, but not forced by a tax.

Your ideals, however, dictate they should disperse or be tazed as they are breaking the law.

 

When I saw your post count ("666"), I thought that was a sign to not respond.  Nevertheless, it gets the better of me.  

If it is not YOUR responsibility to provide for them, then whose is it?  Imagine if everyone shared this "philosophy" --really, I am guessing, inspired by your ideology-- then what kind of society would we live in?

It sounds like the "greed is good" Orwellian messages that strike me as horrendously absurd.

EDIT:  You know, Ayn Rand, the Russian emigre novelist/philisopher whom I alluded to in the Philosophy Topic, where you probably get your inspiration, influenced Alan Greenspan ("markets are self-regulating").  This is so silly today that I am IMPRESSED --indeed, impressed-- by how people adhere to it.

Originally posted by declaredemer

Originally posted by Dekron

While your zeal is admirable and I do have compassion for them, it is not my responsibility to provide for them. While I may pass a buck or provide a meal, I will never give a large handout to a homeless individual. I will gladly give what I can to a shelter, but not to an individual.I would gladly give on my terms, but not forced by a tax.

Your ideals, however, dictate they should disperse or be tazed as they are breaking the law.

 

 

When I saw your post count ("666"), I thought that was a sign to not respond.  Nevertheless, it gets the better of me.  

 

 

If it is not YOUR responsibility to provide for them, then whose is it?  Imagine if everyone shared this "philosophy" --really, I am guessing, inspired by your ideology-- then what kind of society would we live in?

 

 

It sounds like the "greed is good" Orwellian messages that strike me as horrendously absurd.

 

 

EDIT:  You know, Ayn Rand, the Russian emigre novelist/philisopher whom I alluded to in the Philosophy Topic, where you probably get your inspiration, influenced Alan Greenspan ("markets are self-regulating").  This is so silly today that I am IMPRESSED --indeed, impressed-- by how people adhere to it.

Did Orwell talk about "greed is good"? Ayn Rand came from a govenment similar to where we are headed. Government annointed individuals that are altruistic, knowing where to spend money for good and not to spend for bad, despite what the citizens think. It is easy to be altruistic with other peoples money.
 

I think you missed Dekron's whole point. If the government is going to take care of the homeless with my taxes then why give more and more. Some of us have our own families to worry about after taxes. I am from one of the highest unemployed counties in my state and we don't have these problems. Probably because we have a very religious Christian community. I know religion is a bad thing to most of these posters, so it is the wrong way to go about it. We should be looking to government...right?

Originally posted by Vemoi

Originally posted by declaredemer

Originally posted by Dekron

While your zeal is admirable and I do have compassion for them, it is not my responsibility to provide for them. While I may pass a buck or provide a meal, I will never give a large handout to a homeless individual. I will gladly give what I can to a shelter, but not to an individual.I would gladly give on my terms, but not forced by a tax.

Your ideals, however, dictate they should disperse or be tazed as they are breaking the law.

 

 

When I saw your post count ("666"), I thought that was a sign to not respond.  Nevertheless, it gets the better of me.  

 

 

If it is not YOUR responsibility to provide for them, then whose is it?  Imagine if everyone shared this "philosophy" --really, I am guessing, inspired by your ideology-- then what kind of society would we live in?

 

 

It sounds like the "greed is good" Orwellian messages that strike me as horrendously absurd.

 

 

EDIT:  You know, Ayn Rand, the Russian emigre novelist/philisopher whom I alluded to in the Philosophy Topic, where you probably get your inspiration, influenced Alan Greenspan ("markets are self-regulating").  This is so silly today that I am IMPRESSED --indeed, impressed-- by how people adhere to it.

Did Orwell talk about "greed is good"? Ayn Rand came from a govenment similar to where we are headed. Government annointed individuals that are altruistic, knowing where to spend money for good and not to spend for bad, despite what the citizens think. It is easy to be altruistic with other peoples money.
 

I think you missed Dekron's whole point. If the government is going to take care of the homeless with my taxes then why give more and more. Some of us have our own families to worry about after taxes. I am from one of the highest unemployed counties in my state and we don't have these problems. Probably because we have a very religious Christian community. I know religion is a bad thing to most of these posters, so it is the wrong way to go about it. We should be looking to government...right?

1. I think you are speculating without any sort of basis ("we do not have problems with the homeless because we have a very religious community").
2. What is with this anti-government thing?  You are the government.  You select your leaders.  You participate in jury trials.  You have every opportunity to petition your government.  You need to get involved more and express your views, not just make blanket statements. 
3. You are also paranoid, respectfully ("Ayn Rand came from a government similar to where we are headed").  It is like, all of a sudden, people think we are "socialists" because we want to fix our OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM that leaves MILLIONS under-insured or un-insured.  

It shocks me, utterly shocks me, to see people support subsidies to the health care industry and not disclaim "socialism" but faithfully say we are headed to "socialism" when we try to reduce costs, increase quality, and expand coverage. 

This is honestly looking pathetic to ME.  I know people have different perspectives and widely varying viewpoints, but anything to help people --under-insured, un-insured, homeless, jobless-- is now "socialism" and "taking" yet corporate subsidies are not.

It shocks me, utterly shocks me, to see people support subsidies to the health care industry and not disclaim "socialism" but faithfully say we are headed to "socialism" when we try to reduce costs How?, increase quality With what New Doctors to take care of the Millions of new people?, and expand coverage Again Where are the Doctors comeing from?. 

 This is honestly looking pathetic to ME.  I know people have different perspectives and widely varying viewpoints, but anything to help people --under-insured, un-insured, homeless, jobless-- is now "socialism" and "taking" yet subsidies are not.

There is a reason were a Republic. If you dont like the area your in Move. That was the plan layed down by the founding fathers.

But Instead of takeing care of yourself and your family people want the government to bail them out like Obama is bailing out the Big Buisness.

But thas ok. We will use things like under-insured, un-insured, homeless,  jobless. to take care of people who dont have the brains to live thier life on thier own. We wont teach people to be responcible and have a Backup account. We wont teach people to save for a rainy day. We will give them Sub-Prime loans and Credit cards with 30% intrest rates. We will tell them that they cant Buy their own health care but they really need that iPhone.

So Cry me a river Declaredemer.

Were Tired of takeing care of you and your friends.

The current healthcare reform only expands it. It doesn't reduce cost or provide better care. It has the adverse affect of taking private businesses and trusts out of healthcare. IMO Greed is good when its allowed to fail. Greenspan got it wrong because he rewarded greed and took out the consequence. The balancing element of greed is chance.

I like how cities are dealing with homeless camps except for Seatle. IMO its the City and Local governments problem. These people are down on their luck and they aren't going to get out of it for years. Atleast they are provided basic city services like sanitation, security, and employment assistance. Although living in a tent isn't ideal and can be degrading. It reduces the costs of living to the bare minimum. This allows them to hold out until this recession is over and hopefully a more sound economy is formed.

I doubt we will see a reduction in these tent cities until government gets more responsible and passes legislation to curb unemployment. That being a repel of minimum wage, a reduction in payroll taxes, a reduction in trade costs, failing Cap & Trade, failing the current healthcare reform, and failing the current tax hikes to key business revenues.

The most logical thing I have heard in this recession is that the US is no longer manufacturing and needs to create more sustainable manufacturing jobs in both the skilled and unskilled sectors. We need a resurgence of blue collar jobs.

Declared come to Canada... :) Seems like you'd fit in nicely.

You wouldn't believe how amusing this whole situation is from the sidelines.
Everyone in America thinks they are right... everyone thinks they speak for the majority.

We can have a beer and laugh if you end up nearby...

Originally posted by Cleffy

I doubt we will see a reduction in these tent cities until government gets more responsible and passes legislation to curb unemployment. That being a repel of minimum wage, a reduction in payroll taxes, a reduction in trade costs, failing Cap & Trade, failing the current healthcare reform, and failing the current tax hikes to key business revenues.

The most logical thing I have heard in this recession is that the US is no longer manufacturing and needs to create more sustainable manufacturing jobs in both the skilled and unskilled sectors. We need a resurgence of blue collar jobs.

We need a new New Deal to re-create a solid middle-class again, with all the social safety nets.  We have extreme income and social inequality in the United States.  The burden of everything is on fixed-income individuals who are swimming in debt.

I looked at the numbers.  I had to.  One-in-five Americans are ready for ready; these are nearly all civil servants.  Instead, we have "greed is good," Ayn Rand adherents running the Fed, and authorized tent cities (this is our safety net?). 

It is like we need to all be in unions:  job security, income security, safety nets, forced participation in politics, and so forth.

I think the unions have become a burdensome problem. I think they should be politically unaligned in that they cannot make direct campaign donations on behalf of those they represent. Its the unions themselves that have destroyed the US's manufacturing jobs by edging out unskilled labor and making the cost of skilled labor astronomical. I think unions have their place to counterbalance bad management, but they can grow too big. In which case the industry they represent should be allowed to collapse. Their greed after all made that industry fail and it sends a message to other unions.

Tent cities haven't really been that uncommon in the US until the late '70s when cities started to crack down on these settlements, and the US had an economic boom in the '80s.

As far as a new deal. I don't believe it would help this situation since its a credit problem not a capital problem. I think we need to recreate the lower class instead of having an elevator to the middle class. You need alot of low wage work to stop unemployment before you can think about creating a sector that profits from low wage work. If we did have a New Deal, the projects targeted would also have the same problems we face with the current stimulus. Its targeted as earmarks and calls for people with years of experience in a handful of fields. It would only help a small portion.

Originally posted by declaredemer

Originally posted by Cleffy

I doubt we will see a reduction in these tent cities until government gets more responsible and passes legislation to curb unemployment. That being a repel of minimum wage, a reduction in payroll taxes, a reduction in trade costs, failing Cap & Trade, failing the current healthcare reform, and failing the current tax hikes to key business revenues.

The most logical thing I have heard in this recession is that the US is no longer manufacturing and needs to create more sustainable manufacturing jobs in both the skilled and unskilled sectors. We need a resurgence of blue collar jobs.

 

We need a new New Deal to re-create a solid middle-class again No we Dont, with all the social safety nets.  We have extreme income and social inequality in the United States No we Dont.  The burden of everything is on fixed-income individuals who are swimming in debt. Whos Fault is that?

 

 

I looked at the numbers.  I had to.  One-in-five Americans are ready for ready; these are nearly all civil servants.  Instead, we have "greed is good," Ayn Rand adherents running the Fed, and authorized tent cities (this is our safety net?).  What are you talking about? I know its 2Am here but this makes no sence. If you looked up something linkie it.

 

 

It is like we need to all be in unions:  job security, income security, safety nets, forced participation in politics, and so forth. No we need LESS Unions. We need to let the system Cleanse the Filth and rebuild on their Bones. (Inposible now thanks to your Boy Obama and his bailouts of Corupt and Stupid Companys)

My god man. If you really want that Horable system Move to a Diffrent country.

Honestly a "New Deal"? There is a reason that stupid Idea Died once already.

Originally posted by Cleffy

 If we did have a New Deal, the projects targeted would also have the same problems we face with the current stimulus. Its targeted as earmarks and calls for people with years of experience in a handful of fields.

I disagree respectfully.  We need to re-create the institutions, programs, and policies that created the middle-class.  I have discussed previously institutions that mitigate the effects of income inequality.  We need to expand this.  The middle-class, naturally, is quite small.  When we have such wide income and wealth disparity, to be middle-class requires a lot more assets and income than people realize.  

We are seeing the emergence of tent cities precisely because the institutions that created and secured the middle-class have been weakened or destroyed.  We need even more of those institutions.  Health care is one such institution, and universal health care would reduce the costs on individuals and businesses. 

The opposition to a sound health care system comes from the industry (HIPA, PhRMA, AMA) and idelogues ("socialism"). 

Here is a NY TIMES video on a tent city in Redmond, Wash video.nytimes.com/video/2009/08/06/opinion/1247463860996/op-ed-scraping-by.html

These are YOUR neighbors.  And this could happen to YOU, although I know about the evils of "socialism" (aka "safety nets").  As one tent-city dweller said, more Americans will discover tent cities as their "wages decrease and costs increase."

I have been saying that for at least a few years now.  Good luck.

Tent city in Peshawar, Pakistan

 Swat Valley

Tent city in Reno, Nevada

Reno, Nevada

Originally posted by declaredemer

Originally posted by Cleffy

 If we did have a New Deal, the projects targeted would also have the same problems we face with the current stimulus. Its targeted as earmarks and calls for people with years of experience in a handful of fields.

 

I disagree respectfully.  We need to re-create the institutions, programs, and policies that created the middle-class.  I have discussed previously institutions that mitigate the effects of income inequality.  We need to expand this.  The middle-class, naturally, is quite small.  When we have such wide income and wealth disparity, to be middle-class requires a lot more assets and income than people realize.  

Amd How would you Do this? Unions will Prevent the Jobs from beeing formed here because they will Not be able to Compete with Forren Based Companys.

There is Nothing Wrong with Income Inequality. Its what makes people Strive to better them selves. Why would anyone work hard if there is No Reward? Your system has no rewards.

Capitilism is the One True Equilizer. Any man, Woman... Other.. Born in a capitalist system, or Moveing to one, can Obtain a Higher status than they had Before.

You May have created the Middleclass with Unions. But now your Chokeing it to death with them.

Linkie Linkie Why not look at Numbers for once? Your Union states are out of work and Money.

Originally posted by Ekibiogami

Capitilism is the One True Equilizer. Any man, Woman... Other.. Born in a capitalist system, or Moveing to one, can Obtain a Higher status than they had Before.

Who is telling you these things?  Did you know there is greater social mobility for YOU in so-called "socialist" European countries than in the United States? 

I see why you support the "greed is good" mantra . . . out of greed and in the theory you will get social mobility.  It is like an "invisible hand" or an "American dream."  

Imagination.  Fantasy.  

Originally posted by declaredemer

Here is a NY TIMES video on a tent city in Redmond, Wash video.nytimes.com/video/2009/08/06/opinion/1247463860996/op-ed-scraping-by.html

 

 

These are YOUR neighbors.  And this could happen to YOU, although I know about the evils of "socialism" (aka "safety nets").  As one tent-city dweller said, more Americans will discover tent cities as their "wages decrease and costs increase."

 

 

I have been saying that for at least a few years now.  Good luck.

Costs for most things havent Increased. The Demands from people Have.

Your system is a bandage on a Fracture.

The problem is people Buying a 4 Bedroom house when they only needed one. People getting 4-5 Credit cards. People running around Buying clothes at the Gap and Buying 5 Dollar Coffies. Haveing 2-3 cars in a family that only needs one. Everyone in the family haveing Cellphones, Cable Tv, and Hi Def TV's in every room.

Rember Katrina? When we gave all those poor people Cards with a few thousand Dollars to Buy food, and a Trailer or Apartment to live in while we waited for the government to fix their city? What did they do? They Bought 50 Inch Tv's in mass from Best buy. My friends installed Hundreds of them after the cards were handed out. 3 Friends and i think the total was 109 Beteween them. (I can check if you really want)

You still havent Told us how this Obama care in your New deal will lower anyones costs. anc Cap and Tax will only Hurt the middle class. Not the upper or the rich.

A New Deal sounds nice But when you stop and look at the system you want it Not only dosent add Up but it makes no sence.

Originally posted by declaredemer

Here is a NY TIMES video on a tent city in Redmond, Wash video.nytimes.com/video/2009/08/06/opinion/1247463860996/op-ed-scraping-by.html

 

 

These are YOUR neighbors.  And this could happen to YOU, although I know about the evils of "socialism" (aka "safety nets").  As one tent-city dweller said, more Americans will discover tent cities as their "wages decrease and costs increase."

 

 

I have been saying that for at least a few years now.  Good luck.

 

Tent city in Peshawar, Pakistan

 

 Swat Valley

 

Tent city in Reno, Nevada

 

Reno, Nevada

Did you even watch the video at the top of this post? 

The PROBLEM is your neighbor lost his job, his home and now lives in a tent city because of the lack of safety nets.  These are not people that bought four or five houses, or were irresponsible; these are people who had fallen on hard times.  I forgive you for your ignorance, believe it or not, but it is this self-righteousness that is just deplorable.  It is like beating-up the victim.  These are people who lost their jobs because their employer cannot access credit.  People who lost their homes because their bank will not modify their loan. 

These are Americans.

Repeat:  these are Americans.

One more time:  these are Americans.

Did you miss the point of the video?

How can you be so without compassion?  

You are not going to get "social mobility" because of your adherence to your ideology. 

Originally posted by declaredemer

 

Did you even watch the video at the top of this post? 

 

The PROBLEM is your neighbor lost his job, his home and now lives in a tent city because of the lack of safety nets.  These are not people that bought four or five houses, or were irresponsible; these are people who had fallen on hard times.  I forgive you for your ignorance, believe it or not, but it is this self-righteousness that is just deplorable.  It is like beating-up the victim.  These are people who lost their jobs because their employer cannot access credit.  People who lost their homes because their bank will not modify their loan. 

These are Americans.

Repeat:  these are Americans.

One more time:  these are Americans.

Did you miss the point of the video?

How can you be so without compassion?

 

You are not going to get "social mobility" because of your adherence to your ideology.
 

These ARE Americans Who were Iresoncable and lost it all.

NO ONE NEEDS SAFTYNETS!!!!!!!!!! Are you that Ignorant?(Placed here because you called me ignorant)

I have a 6 Month safty net of my own. I ate a LOT of Raman Noodle to get it. Why Don't they have one? Do you? Don't blame me for their Ignorance and lazieness.

I Don't need people to take care of me. I can do that just fine on my own.

The real Qusetion is Why do you see helpless people here? they are in AMERICA!!! We have 50 Freaking states, More Money than God and Hopefully Enough comon sence to Know that We cant Coddle everyone. If you run out of money then you did something wrong on YOUR end Not on Mine.

Prohaps people in these tent Citys will learn a lesson from this and save some money for a rainy day.

Honesty we could learn something from China here. There is No national health care system there. so its people are saveing for a rainy day. Prohaps these people will learn not be so wastefull in the future.

Edit: On that note NN Dec. Ill see you in the tomorow :)