Homeless people are people too. Actually, that was a pretty bad opening. It's like dogs are humans too or murderers have rights too so we can't kill them. Pretty BS, yeah.
But the fact of the matter is the way our society regards homeless individuals is deplorable. Let me iterate that by society I mean the predominate perception and related actions. We seem to think that just because we drive our cars and live in four walled structures we are some sort of superior being when that could hardly be the case.
Most people think homeless people get what's coming to them. They deserve being poor and sick and destitute and hungry and thirsty. Does anyone? Especially innocent individuals? According to Veteran Affairs studies and my experiences in VA hospitals, a vast majority of those homeless were placed in that situation as a result of involvement in Vietnam (direct or indirect). When they or their parents returned from duty, there were no available opportunitiese, they were sick or had some incapacity. They had missed out on the most valuable, formative years.
And what can they do now? Nothing. Some are proactive, taking jobs selling flowers or newspapers or delivering items. Whatever it takes. They should be commended for trying. While I know some placed themselves in such a position by drinking or committing criminal acts, the vast majority were forced into their current situation. At least understand their plight, even if it doesn't result in meager contributions to their vitality.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Maybe. I live in a neighborhood where you can find a homeless man in every ten minutes. There is especially one dude who I admire because he's always going to the library--even though it's probably a bad way to judge a person by. Nevertheless, most of the homeless men lie and drink too much and are semi-crazy.
But that "craziness" is a symptom of the PTSD they acquired after their tour in 'Nam. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one of the most wracking psychological illnesses for not only a person but also a community to bear.
You know that not all homeless people fought in Vietnam, right...?
Yea, I'm aware of that. But I'm also aware that based on the studies I'm referencing, the vast majority of homeless people suffer from some war-RELATED consequence. Whether it be contracted through family relations in the war, or themselves, that combat situation forced a number of individuals into destitute conditions. These conditions in combination with a number of other external forces results in the terrible mental illnesses of many homeless people.
I like to live by "Catch a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he'll never go hungry again." And so yeah, I sympathize with those who are homeless who are proactive. I'd rather give someone money for doing something than nothing, err, or someone who has worked for it. I also believe everyone needs a second chance.