Homeless youths out on the street wonder: 'Why is my life like this?'

The Des Moines Register ^ | 07/13/2003 | BILL REITER, Register Staff Writer

[newgeezer]

RODNEY WHITE/Protector: Matt Witt, a 19-year-old with a penchant for violence, rolls a cigarette with butts from bus kiosk ashtrays. He is always ready to come to the defense of his homeless friends. "We're a family," he says.

This girl, this woman of 20 years, had wanted better things. With a shining smile and hazel eyes filled with determination, she was not supposed to end up like this. Her child was not supposed to be born on the streets. Her life was not supposed to disintegrate in warehouses, abandoned buildings and shelter after shelter.

[A. Pole]

These children are the product of the modern socialist welfare state.

There are a few of people here who experienced homelessness as kids. Let them answer if this was the fault of welfare state.

[MonroeDNA]

Ferrari's have no AC.

;)

[Stick a Fork in Me - I am Done]

Tribes were only good for those who fit in to the particular tribal culture. Others were banished, sold or killed. Our tribal forfathers were not particularly warm but were most likely fuzzy.

[A. Pole]

Tribes were only good for those who fit in to the particular tribal culture. Others were banished, sold or killed. Our tribal forfathers were not particularly warm but were most likely fuzzy.

Tribes differed very much one from another. Some were warlike or peaceful, some were gentle or cruel, some were fair and hospitable others treacherous and hostile to strangers. So when you say "our" which one do you mean?

[Stick a Fork in Me - I am Done]

I was not homeless as a result of the welfare state. I no longer could live at home and that was a combination of what home was about and my own headstrong tendancies. I am so glad there was not welfare net back then for teenagers. I kept under police radar, and made a life for myself. I am not sure I wouldn't have taken the easier course if some street social worker had offerd me free houseing and food stamps and all the goodies of the welfare net. We get what we pay for.

[Stick a Fork in Me - I am Done]

I agree that they differed. Most of the successful tribes that led to civilizations were warlike and agressive and also able to have their memebers cooperate. A great book on this subject is Sick Societies.

[MonroeDNA]

"But "guardrails of society" were in the much earlier times."

Yes, they came and went. Today they are gone.

You seem up on herstory. What happened to societies when the guardrails were dropped? Not the first few years (like us in the '60's), but 100 years later?

It is easy to predict what is going to happen. I predict: what is happening.

[MonroeDNA]

You have Freepmail.

[Cacique]

That is indeed a great quote.

That quote is atributed to Frederick Douglas. "the Negro be not judged by the heights to which he is risen, but by the depths from which he has climbed."

Only reference to it I could find on the web is Here

[Cacique]

see 69 above

[Cacique]

PS. Fredrerick Douglas was a REPUBLICAN.

[Stick a Fork in Me - I am Done]

I received it and replied.

[cardinal4]

Im going home to hug my kids. What a depressing article..

[Cacique]

Your stories are truly inspiring. It reminds of the lessons my father drilled into me. He spent seven years in WWII (first in the Italian then the US army) wounded 14 times served in the Russian Front anf North Africa among others. Survived on weeds and at times no water. Survival was his creed. He did what he had to do to stay alive.

I can never imagine what he or you have been through. I have had hard times but nothing to compare. I always think that no matter how badly things get others are out there who have worse. The worst day of your life is always followed by a better day. It is that knowledge that keeps me one step ahead of depression when things don't go right.

[Cacique]

some inspiring posts for you to ponder.

[Stick a Fork in Me - I am Done]

Many people in this world live with courage to face unbelievable situations daily. We are most fortunate.

[Dianna]

Homelessness? Oh that's right! We've got a Republican in the White House.

Bookmarking for my son to read.

[LaraCroft]

I don't excuse her or any of the bad choices these kids made, but asking and hearing no from your family would be like no hope left. Sometimes you need one thing to hold on to.

Who knows why kids end up like this... lack of discipline, uncaring parents (there are plenty of those), mental abheration? God bless the few who go out of their way to help the homeless and needy, kids and adults.

[LaraCroft]

You forget the the number one killer of kids is... their parents. There are a whole boatload of parents that really aren't good people, and could really care less about their kids.

[Cacique]

As I have said on other threads. Conservatism is a movement, not a party. The Republican party is merely an instrument. It is our job to make our voices heard on such issues as illegal immigration (which lowers wages and takes jobs away from Americans), the exportation and outsourcing of jobs, the diminution of our sovereignty to the UN etc..

George W. Bush is a rich boy who has known and hung out with other rich boys all his life. He has no clue and never will what mainstream America is all about.

We can only counterbalance what his corporate advisers and RNC cronies tell him by hitting the streets and being more active in our local party politics. We need to get rid of the RINOS (county leaders) who are nothing but shills for the RNC and put put people in there that represent the wishes of the rank and file. That can only happen if you participate in the process.

I have seen socialism and military dictatorships first hand, that is where the democrats lead. I have no interest in going there, The RATS do not present an alternative. The Republicans are a slightly better alternative, but they will not solve the necessary problems and have vision unless we are heard. The ones that are heard are the ones that shout.