WOW, this thread really took off. Who knew my rant would strike such a cord.

I stopped at the same Walgreens tonight for some packaging tape (they have everything), and asked one of the girls I usually chat with about the guy. She's seen him claim to be a crippled vet, where she's seen him fake a limp, and come up to customers claiming liver cancer, lung cancer, brain tumors, and even Hepatitis.

She said when she's on her smoke break, he'll sometimes come up and smoke with her. He's told her that he'll collect a couple hundred dollars in under an hour, before the Sheriffs office get called to clear him out for harassing customers. She's seen him drive away from a gas station next door in a couple different cars. The thing she said he does that makes her mad is when she sees someone drive up and give him a sandwich, and as soon as they clear the intersection, he tosses it out, because he doesn't want someone to see him with food, or they may not give him any money to eat with. She was pretty surprised he came up to me, because he usually hits up British tourists, because they have tend to give more money because their currency is worth more here.

I can't wait to see him again, I want to see what he drives. If it's a BMW, I'm going to hit him up for change.

 

I agree with Bonnie.
QUOTE:Sorry if I offend anyone but I am sick and tired of bleeding heart liberal democrats that want anyone but me to have my money. End of quote

Get a job is my normal answer. They had a choice and made the wrong one. Oh well, it sucks to be them.

 

Beggers **** me off. When I was in college there used to be this 40 something dude that would hang out near the commons and he musta asked me for "...a quarter for a cup of coffee...." a thousand times while I was there and not once did I give it to him. The guy was clean wore a nice leather jacket and everything....I wanted to kill him after 5 years.

I never give these people money, there are very few on the street who legitimately cannot work. I usually give them a line from a song and say " F@$% you mother F@$%ER, I need liquor too..." Or I just ask them what they are gonna do for me. I know so many people that would give those "Will Work For Food" people something to do, but the damn bum would insist on eating/ payment first, start working and then leave the second no one was watching.

...I've worked for everything I've ever owned and for every accomplishment. Not once have I ever been just handed something, I had to earn it. Man this pisses me off!!

You did not overreact.

 

#1 I have some compassion for them, that's why I don't knock their teeth out when they ask me for money.

#2 Millions of people in this country work with less than a highschool education. It's free up until 12th grade...so once again, no excuse.

#3 If truly disabled, many of them should be able to get disability with a little effort....which they won't put forth.

#4 If they are on the street because of criminal records, mental illness, drugs, alcohol, or loss of a job, home, or loved one. Then why am I not homeless? I have been through all of this....had more than my fair share of problems and abuse of substances. As have most of my family. We all have homes and I do quite well.

#5 "or simply because nobody wants to hire them."....Well maybe If they would shower, take 20 bucks they panhandled to the salvation army and buy some decent clothes and a razor, they could get a job.

OHHH...and how's this. Technically I was "Homeless" for about 6 weeks. Slept in my car and the whole shebang. The difference was, I got up at 6 am to go to my classes....left straight from the last class to go to work at 4 or 5....go to sleep in the car and do it all over the next day until I graduated college (which I payed for). Then I moved to go get a job.....Granted, I was kinda homeless by choice because I wasn't gonna sign a lease to rent when I knew I wanted to move. Point is I never begged for money...

 

I have been know to buy a burger and drop it off but I never give them money. I work hard for my money and if they are rude or agressive I let them know it.