Thoughts on the Homeless

When you're in New York City, or any large city for that matter, there's one thing you can't help but notice: the homeless people. It's a terrible problem that these folks have been hit so hard by poverty, that they must live on the streets among the filth.

Some of the homeless walk around panhandling for spare change, a buck, or some food. Some will come straight out and ask for money so they can buy some booze or drugs. These folks will never get any money from me because I can't condone them not doing anything for money. I always say to myself, "Why don't they just go out and get a job?" They can do something... anything. Why not go be a busboy at a restaurant? Or a trashman? Or work for the transit authority. Granted you need a residence and the ability to clean yourself up before you'll get any job, but it's the principle that I'm trying to convey.

On the other hand, if I'm entertained by the music that a homeless person is playing on the sidewalk or on the subway platform, I'll throw them a buck for their talents and efforts. On the other hand, when a homeless man told BBC, KDowd, and I the meaning of the constantly changing numbers above the Circuit City in Union Square, this was also deserving of $1. Besides, I had been wondering about those numbers for over 2 years now. By the way, the numbers are a clock -- ask me and I'll expain if you know what I'm referencing.

Anyway, the point of the story is that I have a possible solution for the homeless: sign them up for the Army. If they are just roaming the streets, why not put them to work in our nation's armed forces? As long as they pass a mental health test to prove that they aren't a psychiatric liability, why not get them into basic training, and teach them to be constructive? For all we know, it could teach them some skills that would be worthwhile after they served, and would help the nation gain some more bodies during these crazy conflicts that the US gets themselves involved in. Wouldn't you feel better about having some homeless guys over in Iraq as opposed to people you know? OK, maybe that's a controversial question, since these guys may not be the best and the brightest, but they wouldn't be sent anywhere until they can prove that they can be responsible and trustworthy.

Alright, so maybe this isn't the best argument I've ever come up with, but the fact of the matter is that being in the service would be a heck of a lot more productive for the nation's homeless as opposed to roaming around [insert large metropolitan area] asking every passerby for spare change. Boot Camp will get them off of the street and whip them into shape.

Everyone send a letter to your local Congressman.