Giggle.

In his bio he writes, "...and of course I went to Reed College."

*That was meant for an entirely different conversation. Damn tabbed windows.

Phil, what exactly is your idea of an alternative? If people don't have the means to provide for themselves, somebody else has to so shoppers don't have to deal with being accosted. That's what it's really all about. Fortunately, some people in this world actually do have a genuine sense of justice and compassion for those that have to struggle to for something so small as common decency from others.

What the city should also be reporting, is how much money it's saving via fewer emergency room admissions, etc, through the successful reduction of chronic homeless persons on the street as a result of this most recent effort to end homelessness.

If we took a fraction of the budget for the Iraq War, we could have a federal jobs program similar to the one in the 1930's. The new CCC could rebuild and repair the crumbling roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

Since we don't have such a Federal program, perhaps a State program to employ homeless people in ability-rated jobs that would help rebuild and beautify our State's Parks, buildings or roads could be instituted. Those on State welfare could be made to work at least part time for nonprofit organizations doing "volunteer" type work. Housing could be built that would provide basic shelter and food.

IMO, anyone under the age of 60 who refuses to work an easy job part time should be given a one-way bus ticket to another state and told not to return unless they wish to work.

I think there are many solutions to homelessness and unemployment if legislators would start seriously discussing the issue.

"...could be made to work..." Phil Jones

Made to work? Why would you want to make, as in coerce or force somebody to work? That's an almost guaranteed way to get the worst performance from somebody unless you're going to make the alternative something on the order of imprisonment, torture, or death. Up for that Phil?

Make safe, decent work, or in some cases, something slightly less than that an opportunity, a priveledge to be respected, and many people would be surprized to find just how many people would love to have such work.

Work's good. In the absence of abuse and exploitation, work gives those that have it, health and self esteem, even help towards a little happiness.

"Those on State welfare could be made to work at least part time for nonprofit organizations doing "volunteer" type work."

Not sure what you mean exactly by "State welfare." But what is commonly referred to as "welfare" is the TANF program - and recipients ARE already made to work 30 hours per week to receive it. With a monthly TANF grant of $420/month (Oregon's standard for a mother and a child), that works out to about $3.25/hour. Is that fair enough for you?

It's pretty difficult to find or keep a job when you're homeless. Getting people into stable housing is usually a crucial first step to getting those that are capable of working back on their feet.

I'm really sick and tired of the attitude that ALL homeless (or the poor) don't want to work - that they thrive on "sucking off the system." We really need to get past this blame-the-victim mentality. Sure, there are some scammers - just like in every walk of life - but all people who aren't well off aren't that way simply because of some character flaw.

all of this talk about homelessness and still there is no real discussion (at least from our business and political leaders) about wages and how they have failed to keep up with the cost of living. no real discussion about the outlandish price of housing. and certainly not enough hard talk about reigning in the greed that has tarnished and all but ruined the health insurance industry.

there is no reason why we cannot house everyone in need of housing. it's not done because of this "rugged individualism" mentality. it's not done because we think it's more important to fight in wars and dominate the world with our values of "democracy" and "freedom". it's not done because corporate profit has moved up on the value scale, above and beyond human decency and worth. it's not done because if you are mentally ill and homeless and do not have the money or insurance, you will be turned away at private hospitals and county mental health agencies (happens here in corvallis at least).

we really want to fix our social ails? we need to get out of our heads and egos for awhile. that's right--that means get in touch with our "touchy/feely" side....redefine our values and remember that we are all equally worthy of having our basic survival needs met irregardless of what is our income/bank account balance.

i forgot to include an article (published in february 2006) that discusses how the census bureau comes up with its poverty statistics. i forwarded it to freedomworks (i agree with you kari--they are slimeballs). afterall, they claim poverty stats are down and for the rest of the downtrodden, all they need to do is try harder! http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/2513/

and to the poster who said if you are under 60 and you refuse to work an easy (who, by the way, defines "easy"?) part-time job, you can leave the state. i have a better idea. how about if you support the policies that have eliminated living wage jobs, if you support the policies that have allowed the slow dismantling of the middle class, if you support the policies that have allowed the wealthiest to increase their wealth while the middle and lower incomes have seen a stagnation or decline in their real income and if you support the policies that have allowed corporate ceo's see their profits rise drastically while jobs are cut and workers salaries and benefits fall into the toilet, YOU can leave the state.

just kidding of course (about you leaving the state) but hopefully you see the point.

I know it's a little late in the string, but here is Street Roots take on the count.