NY New Homeless ("cell phones, free acupuncture,yoga classes and massage therapy".)

NY Post ^ | September 14, 2003 | PHILIP RECCHIA

[yankeedame]

September 14, 2003 -- THEY have cell phones. They've got e-mail. They shop free at Old Navy, McDonald's and Virgin record stores. They have free access to acupuncture treatments, yoga classes and massage therapy.

Welcome to the coddled lifestyles of New York's new "homeless" - young kids who, besides getting pampered by charities, rake in hundreds of dollars a week begging on the street.

[googling monkey]

Can you hear me now? How about some change for some Boone's or Ripple..

(I usually give them $1.00 McDonalds gift certificates just for the looks on their faces)

[Clemenza]

I see these a--holes all the time on St. Mark's Place. They have never gotten a dime from me. They make more money then I do at my crummy retail job.

[Clemenza]

Here in Houston, an AM radio dj, hosts a picnic for homeless. He has a seminar on how much better it is to live in San Diego. After that he buys anyone of them a one way ticket to California--free. Last year he sent 7 to San Diego.

Send him to New York, pronto!

[not_apathetic_anymore]

There IS a plethora of homeless here. I live in the 'burbs and periodically see a stationwagon with 5 or 6 people in it dropping one of these folks off at certain interections.

They're always dressed in clean - not raggedy - clothes and they seem to travel together and make the rounds. For instance, if there is one at the end of the freeway exit ramp there will be one down the street 6 blocks at the exit from a particular mall. Then you won't see them for a month....then you'll see them back at those same locations.

[Steely Glint]

Beggars need to be imprisoned.

If someone is legitimately incapable of working, there is Social Security.

If someone is capable of working and begs, they need to be put in prison for a while to learn better.

[Republicus2001]

ya know I heard Alaska is now giving out $950/month for the homeless and if you can prove you're an addict they'll provide free pot and a bong - it's for the Children doncha know - (heh, starting rumor, psst! - pass it along)

[bc2]

frickin' gutterpunks... I always see these kids around Rochester. Damn, you rat bastards! Take a shower, get a job, and get on with life!

This, coming from a 23 year old punk myself!

[Republicus2001]

there is a famous begger in L.A. whose sign reads: "Why lie? I want a beer!"

[Republicus2001]

heh - I understand there is free government pot in Alaska...

[bk1000]

'she's been trying to get a job as a janitor all summer, but no one would even talk to her'

What's pierced? How many tatoos?

[alisasny]

I can't stand when they grub for smokes. I never give in.

[googling monkey]

That why I like the upper Midwest, the weather tends to weed out the lazy types..although that Houston radio guy has a great idea!

[firebrand]

I used to give money out. I think I stopped when one guy told me he almost had enough for a CD player.

[firebrand]

There's a guy in NYC who lets you insult him for $2.

[googling monkey]

Sometimes these kids who make $600 a day panhandling go to three star hotels to spend the night..unbeliveable!

[veronica]

...Can you hear me now?

[xrp]

Keep in mind, however, panhandling results in VOLUNTARY donations, not forced, like taxes.

I'm not saying these beggars are great or anything like that, but the people who do give money to the beggars do so voluntarily.

If my taxes were lower, I could afford to donate more to charities of my choosing. Right now, I only donate to a diabetes organization, Disabled American Veterans and a leukemia organization.

[Loyalist]

This is only the beginning of socialism in this country. Will get worse.

In a socialist state such as the old USSR or China, these slackers would be considered criminal parasites and sent to forced labour camps, where they'd be literally worked to death.

Only in a free market economy with a social safety net could these slackers have such a comfortable free ride.

[xrp]

Welcome to the coddled lifestyles of New York's new "homeless" - young kids who, besides getting pampered by charities, rake in hundreds of dollars a week begging on the street.

Please explain to me what part of charity and personal donation (to panhandlers) is socialism. Thanks!