Millions of homeless in US while billions sent to Israel

[Third_Eye]

Millions of homeless in U.S, while Zionists send Billions to Israel
Living without a roof

By: Mia Legault

Millions in the U.S. face homelessness every year

A recent study found that Los Angeles has more people sleeping in the streets than any other U.S. city. According to statistics recently released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, more than 40,000 people sleep on the city’s streets every night.

Across Los Angeles County—a territory that includes well over 10 million people—there are at least 73,000 homeless people on any given night. The report found that of the 73,000 people, 10,000 are minors, 24,505 suffer from mental illness, 8,453 are military veterans and nearly 7,200 are victims of domestic abuse.

This bleak report is in no way isolated to Los Angeles.

In 2005, the San Francisco Homeless Count found that almost 7,000 people call the streets and parks of San Francisco "home" every night. Almost 2,700 people are members of families with homeless children.

A report by Housing First for Families and First Five said, "Children that are homeless are at risk for many short and long term problems, developmental delays, mental health problems (especially depression and anxiety, compounded by exposure to trauma and violence) academic failures, hunger and poor nutrition."

Instead of addressing the root issue of homelessness, San Francisco authorities have simply made it illegal to be homeless. In turn, the corporate media has excitedly reported how the city is "cracking down" on the homelessness phenomenon, as if it were a product of bad lifestyle choices, not extreme poverty.

Over the last decade hundreds of thousands of citations have been given out for such heinous crimes as sleeping and sitting. In the early morning, police go through Golden Gate Park harassing and evicting dozens of people who find shelter under the trees. On average, the citation carries a $76 fine.

The average rent in San Francisco for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,800. The average service sector worker makes approximately $10 per hour, roughly $1,495 a month. An entire monthly public assistance check amounts to $723 for a family of three.

No longer able to afford rents at market rate, many have turned to subsidized housing for help. There are now over 29,000 people in San Francisco on the wait list for public housing; the average wait is two years.

And California’s large urban centers are just the tip of the iceberg. Cities from New York to Dallas to Miami have significant homeless populations.

In all, between 2.3 and 3.5 million people are homeless in the United States, the richest country in the world. This translates to approximately 1 percent of the U.S. population.

While many social service advocates raise the issue of homelessness, others see the fight for housing and a decent standard of living as part of a greater fight against the ravages of capitalism.

The real root of the social problem of homelessness lies in the capitalist system—an economic and social system that produces for profits alone, not to meet people’s needs.

While millions of families, veterans, and people lack the basic necessity of shelter, the U.S. government spends $5,000 a second on the illegal occupation of Iraq.

[Third_Eye]

People have an "out of sight out of mind" approach to this epidemic. So long as we don't have to be bothered by them asking for change or see them, it isn't an issue. Their solution is to make being homeless illegal, then they will either get arrested or have to go into hiding as to not be caught having nothing. So long as they are out of the view of the public, that is all that seems to matter. Its rediculous. Rather than helping these people, we would rather just not see them. They do not vote, so they do not matter to politicians. People treat homelessness likes its a joke. It just seems out of place, living in the richest society in world history where everyone over indulges, there is more than enough food and land to share with everyone, and yet people go hungry and freeze to death on a park bench or in an alley. Its bullshit. I know this article is talking about California's situation, but here in Utah we have an estimated 10% of our population that lives in poverty. That is actually the 2nd lowest rate in the nation, which shows just how big of a problem it is nationally. I realize poverty doesn't equal homeless, but its connected. For once I would like to see a politician who is running for a top office to come out and speak on these issues. Ralph Nader is the only one I have seen that cared. I keep reading in the paper how local shelters are in trouble and in danger of closing due to lack of donations or they are trying to be forced out by city developers so that businesses can come in. Maybe I am just an idealist, but I believe the people who need help the most should receive it

[adrena_line]

We need someone to actually MODERATE the OMF...to eliminate bullshit retarded comments like what's posted above

:2cents:

[InnerjetiK]

no jokes allowed here?

[Third_Eye]

We need someone to actually MODERATE the OMF...to eliminate bullshit retarded comments like what's posted above

:2cents:


This just isn't a serious issue to most people. I am rarely serious, so I cannot really fault people for making jokes. Its just sad to me


I try making threads on this board, myspace bulletins, emails, text messages etc. to everyone I know to try and get them to take a few minutes out of their day to make a donation to a shelter or food bank, and no one ever does it. I tell people to do that instead of getting me birthday or christmas presents, and they just laugh. People just do not care

[Sweetness]

Too bad you cant make money by opening a homeless shelter... That would be a good place to open one

Thats scary to think that that many people have mental illnesses too.. Makes me happy I dont live there

[Paperweight]

I agree with third eye. Its a shame that the government will support a war but wont support its own people. Almost as bad as the governments willingness to pay to incarcerate its people, but wont pay for them to get an education.

[Third_Eye]

Too bad you cant make money by opening a homeless shelter... That would be a good place to open one

Thats scary to think that that many people have mental illnesses too.. Makes me happy I dont live there

You do not need to be afraid of people just because they have a mental illnes. I work with in a group home for the disabled as my 2nd job, I am always around people with mental illness. You would be surprised how many there are. We take the residents to dances and bbq's and bowling leagues, and there are usually a couple hundred handicapped adults that come from around this area (weber/davis county). That is just the number of mentally handicapped that reside in local group homes in northern utah, that doesn't come close to the figure after you include the ones that live with family or on their own or are unable to attend the events for one reason or another. There are much more in the valley. Its similar to the homeless problem, "out of sight out of mind". Just because you do not see it, you think it doesn't exist or that it is rare. The number of people with autism, for example, has reached epidemic heights and will only continue to increase. The public should be put on alert to stay away from foods containing high doses of mercury, but that will probably never happen. Sorry, rambling.

We need to stop looking at people that are different and treating them like they are below us. We should embrace the homeless and the mentally ill, and try to help them as best we can. Not fear or shun or disregard. Less judgment and selfishness, more compassion.

[Miss Mustang]

Ok my head hurts way to much to read the whole thing but.....

They had a special set up where they would help out homeless people if they joined the service (which would happen if they joined any ways so its lame). The gov got in a lot of trouble for doing this and it was a huge disaster. I would think that being in service wouldnt be as bad as being homeless but meh... thats just me

[Third_Eye]

Ok my head hurts way to much to read the whole thing but.....

They had a special set up where they would help out homeless people if they joined the service (which would happen if they joined any ways so its lame). The gov got in a lot of trouble for doing this and it was a huge disaster. I would think that being in service wouldnt be as bad as being homeless but meh... thats just me


Exploiting and taking advantage of those who need the most help. Sounds about par for the course

[adrena_line]

A lot of people look at the homeless as if they're just lazy, filthy drunks that threw away their lives. Why should they help people like that? It's true that a lot ARE like that...but not all. American society believes in the Golden Door of Opportunity...that capitalist notion of working hard to get where you are. Those that fail at succeeding only fail because of their own poor choices, not the system holding them down.

Too bad it's not really like that.

[Third_Eye]

A lot of people look at the homeless as if they're just lazy, filthy drunks that threw away their lives. Why should they help people like that? It's true that a lot ARE like that...but not all. American society believes in the Golden Door of Opportunity...that capitalist notion of working hard to get where you are. Those that fail at succeeding only fail because of their own poor choices, not the system holding them down.

Too bad it's not really like that.

That is the unfortunate perception. People do not understand that many of them are veterans who could not properly adapt to civilian life after serving in a war. Many more have developmental disabilities and are not able to live a "normal" life with assistance. Some have just had a really bad string of luck. Each case is unique in some way or another, yet everyone just groups them together and views them as a nuisance that isn't worth helping.

It kills me that people claim this to be a christian society. I am not a believer in any kind of religion, but from my understanding of the text "Christ" would be ashamed of how we treat the less fortunate.

[Boombaka]

Just to touch on the Israel part of this thread... I wrote an op-ed on Israel/Palestine a while back for the Signpost when I was at Weber State. Check it:



Stop Funding Apartheid
If President Bush is serious about his claims to be fighting a "War on Terror," then he must realize that the main motivation for anti-Americanism and terrorism in the Middle East stems from the U.S. support of the illegal occupation of Palestine.

Currently, Israel receives 30 percent of the total U.S. foreign aid budget although Israel accounts for only 0.1 percent of the total world population. It is also worth noting that this massive amount of funding is going directly to a nation that has broken 10 times more UN resolutions than Iraq. Israel is guilty of breaking more than 60 UN Security Council resolutions.

The U.S.-backed military occupation of Palestine is in direct violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and constitutes as a crime against humanity. The colonialist forces have systematically murdered innocent Palestinians, bulldozed their homes and occupied and controlled every inch of valuable land and resources in Palestine. The U.S. has been implicit in these acts of terrorism. A perfect example can be seen in the use of U.S. helicopters, bulldozers and tanks in the massacres which occurred April 2002 in a refugee camp in Jenin. Amnesty International found that Israeli troops killed innocent civilians, tortured prisoners, bulldozed houses and blockaded any humanitarian aid in Jenin and Nablus, leaving women and children to bleed to death in the streets. Acts of terrorism, such as these, have been feeding the cycle of violence throughout the world.

The recent "disengagement" of the Gaza Strip was no more than another land grab by the Zionists, who effectively gave up unwanted land while, actually, expanding illegal settlements in the West Bank by four percent. The U.S. needs to realize that bombing Arabs into submission is an ineffective way to achieve security. It does not serve the interest of the U.S. people to have its government bought out by the Israel Lobby, or the radical Christian right. What does serve U.S. security interest is to support a Palestinian state that returns to UN Resolution 242 borders, and promises equal access to resources and trade. Israel must remove its settlements and pull back its wall, which infringes on Palestinian land, and take its boot heel off of the throats of the Palestinian people's necks.

In the words of Israeli academic Lev Grinberg: "I want to ask: Who will arrest Sharon, the person directly responsible for the orders to kill Palestinians? When is he going to be defined as a terrorist too? How long will the world ignore the Palestinian cry that all they want is freedom and independence? When will it stop neglecting the fact that the goal of the Israeli government is not security, but the continued occupation and subjugation of the Palestinian people?"

[KC Meat]

You do not need to be afraid of people just because they have a mental illnes.You may not need to, but people typically fear or avoid what they don't understand...I'll admit I'm freaked out by most people with mental illnesses, and it's for the same reason children freak me out: I dunno what to say or how to act toward them...I have a hard enough time trying to have a conversation with somebody w/o a mental illness that I don't know...I'm aware that people say you don't treat them any differently, but when you aren't used to being around them, it IS different in your mind...it's still no excuse not to help though...if you're the type of person who really doesn't want to physically be there helping, donating money is just as good, as those who do want to help need the money in order to assist those in need...I keep trying to donate food when they drop the bags off at our house, but we always forget to put it on the porch (we'll have it by the door and forget the one day they are out)...

[Third_Eye]

You may not need to, but people typically fear or avoid what they don't understand...I'll admit I'm freaked out by most people with mental illnesses, and it's for the same reason children freak me out: I dunno what to say or how to act toward them...I have a hard enough time trying to have a conversation with somebody w/o a mental illness that I don't know...I'm aware that people say you don't treat them any differently, but when you aren't used to being around them, it IS different in your mind...it's still no excuse not to help though...if you're the type of person who really doesn't want to physically be there helping, donating money is just as good, as those who do want to help need the money in order to assist those in need...I keep trying to donate food when they drop the bags off at our house, but we always forget to put it on the porch (we'll have it by the door and forget the one day they are out)...

If that happens just drop it off at a shelter

[KC Meat]

...and where are all of the shelters located?...are they all downtown?

[Third_Eye]

...and where are all of the shelters located?...are they all downtown?


http://www.utahraves.com/showthread.php?t=4605

[KC Meat]

Oh...yea...downtown...I'm gonna have to try and remember to pack the food in my car, so I can stop by when I'm downtown for something...

[Miss Mustang]

Just to touch on the Israel part of this thread... I wrote an op-ed on Israel/Palestine a while back for the Signpost when I was at Weber State. Check it:So I havent been following this issue much I have had to much going on in my own life. So what is the justification for supporting this particular conflict and with so much money. What would we get out of it?



And I am not afraid of just about any one. I grew up with my father who had some massive mental issues, I dont get intimidated. I am not stupid & realize people can physically hurt me but such is life. I can always heal.

I give money to homeless people all the time if I have it. A few months ago a homeless kid who was 16 was stuck at Denny's down town. I gave him a ride to the shelter, and gave him 5$. He was a sweet kid, didnt ask for any money just a ride a few blocks away.

I constantly get rid of food, clothes, and shoes some I have never even warn..... or just a few times. I dont need that many clothes to survive.

[Third_Eye]

Oh...yea...downtown...I'm gonna have to try and remember to pack the food in my car, so I can stop by when I'm downtown for something...

That is a good way to do it, so long as it isnt anything that will go bad like Milk.

[KC Meat]

That is a good way to do it, so long as it isnt anything that will go bad like Milk.Oh, really?...damn...I thought homeless people didn't give a shit if it was expired/bad...y'know, cuz they eat out of garbage cans and what not...;) hahaha...it's canned goods...

[Third_Eye]

Oh, really?...damn...I thought homeless people didn't give a shit if it was expired/bad...y'know, cuz they eat out of garbage cans and what not...;) hahaha...it's canned goods...


Cool. Its amazing how many people think its ok to donate expired items, the food bank throws away several tons of donated food a year because it had passed expiration before being donated

[KC Meat]

If somebody were to decide between donating food or donating money, which works best for the place? Does going and buying a shit ton of canned goods with that money and then donating work better than giving them the money? Do they purchase their own goods at a lower price than we can typically buy it for them?...just a question of curiousity...

[Third_Eye]

If somebody were to decide between donating food or donating money, which works best for the place? Does going and buying a shit ton of canned goods with that money and then donating work better than giving them the money? Do they purchase their own goods at a lower price than we can typically buy it for them?...just a question of curiousity...


I would think that donating the food is easiest for them, though I would call the shelter in advance and see exactly what it is that they need at the time. I have done both, not really sure which is the most beneficial

[KC Meat]

Hmmm...I was just curious, b/c it seems like they'd be able to take the money they get and make bargains with local places that have an oversupply or simply want to cut the shelter a deal...that they'd be able to buy more with money than people can prior to donating it...but I could be completely wrong...all the money they get could go mainly toward upkeep, while all the food comes directly from donations...

[Boombaka]

So I havent been following this issue much I have had to much going on in my own life. So what is the justification for supporting this particular conflict and with so much money. What would we get out of it?
We are getting nothing out of it. We, as in we the public. Politicians are getting rich and re-elected out of it. Like most politics it all comes down to lobbying, and AIPAC is one of the most powerful lobby groups in DC. HERE (http://www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n06/mear01_.html) is a must read article about AIPAC and US support of Israels illegal occupation of Palestine. Walt and Mearsheimer, the authors, just wrote a full book based off the article. Its really excellent, I have met them several times and my girlfriend worked with them in publishing the first version of the article in the US.