Comments on The poor and the destitute - there through their own choice?

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*rolls eyes* yes, I've also heard of an amazing number of people who are in reality very well off.

However, in China, they actually have crime organizations who kidnap children and maim them so as to use them for beggars. It's gotten so that I feel awful whenever I see children on the street with no limbs and begging in the cold. I feel awful not helping, but I also can't help but think that they must be one of the poor children thus used and I must not "help" the crime organizations.

posted by Akyterine on December 6, 2005 at 9:05 PM | link to this | reply

I lived in Jakarta during 1996-97. There were so many poor ...and so many

poor exploited...children and handicapped especially. It was better to take rice in zip lock bags to give. If I gave money, it was not solicited, and it was given discretely... and only if I was able to slip away quickly.

Are the poor poor by choice? I think many in developed countries are...I think the majority of the world's truly destitute live in undeveloped and underdeveloped countries where they are are repressed and kept poor by greedy, evil dictators who outright steal aid money and/or sell food and medicine meant for their people on the black market...and keep the money/profits for themslves in Swiss bank accounts. Surely there is a special place in Hell for this dispicable lot!

I think the poor will always be with us...but I don't have the answers...

posted by muser on December 5, 2005 at 8:51 PM | link to this | reply

Lapis, sounds like an interesting concept...never heard of it!

posted by Ariala on December 4, 2005 at 2:29 PM | link to this | reply

Tapsel-T

Indeed - it's become very 'unfashionable' these days in the UK to give money to anyone asking for money. Rather, either escort them to the nearest coffee-shop for a tea and a sandwich, or give them something to eat.

I guess this at least deals to a degree with the potential problem of con-beggars - as Ariala mentions. And of course with the famous problem of our money going only to fuel a drink or drug habit, doing absolutely nothing really to help them - if anything consolidating their position there.

Ariala - space duly reserved! May I suggest we transport back in time a couple of decades - where there was a pitch by London's Euston station, for selling the Big Issue (an innovation by someone called John Bird to give homeless people a way of earning money - by contributing to and publishing their 'own' magazine - obviously subsidised privately, and through advertising) - and the net income from this one pitch used to be £500 a day!! They soon cottoned on, and the company ensured that no one person got to spend too long on that pitch!

posted by LapisLazuli on December 4, 2005 at 2:10 PM | link to this | reply

LapizLazuli, I think this is all very interesting and it is the reason that when I give, I give to a reliable charitable agency instead of to people on the streets.

posted by TAPS. on December 4, 2005 at 9:18 AM | link to this | reply

Lapis, as will I, make room for one more on that corner.

posted by Ariala on December 4, 2005 at 8:56 AM | link to this | reply

Well indeed! Hmmmm - I think I'll quit my job tomorrow...!

posted by LapisLazuli on December 4, 2005 at 8:54 AM | link to this | reply

Lapis, I don't have the answers to this problem, but realize there are a

lot of con artists posing as poor people on the street.  Not too long ago in my town they followed such a person and he lived in an upscale neighborhood and in a beautiful house.  Can you believe it?

posted by Ariala on December 4, 2005 at 8:42 AM | link to this | reply