Posted on 07/13/2007 10:26:59 AM PDT by SubGeniusX
Carolyn
> He must have some mental issues.
Maybe not...
> What makes an able-bodied man go homeless.
I’ve met plenty of homeless folk who actually enjoy the lifestyle. As one explained to me:
“I have more freedom and liberty than you do. I have no debts, I have no mortgage, no family to feed, no lawns to mow, no boss, no income tax to pay because I don’t have any income! I don’t give a stuff what Helen Clark and her government think, say, or do. I never get stuck in rush-hour traffic. If it is a fine day out, I can enjoy the sunshine as much as I like, anywhere I like. If it is raining outside, I got several nice comfortable places set up all around the city...”
(Our Patrol had encountered this man — “Jim” — living under a bridge. He had knocked together a lean-to out of old Real Estate signs and Election hoardings, and had McGyvered a broken office chair and mattress together to sleep on. The far end of his lean-to was open, giving him a pleasant view across the river to where the ducks usually congregate. (his pets, perhaps? Or maybe the occasional lunch? Dunno).
“...If I’m hungry I can find something to eat 24x7 and it won’t cost me a cent! Can *you* do that???”
I had to admit, I couldn’t: every word of what he’d said was true. It was just from an unusual perspective. There was nothing mentally disturbed about this man. And he looked very able-bodied and “fit” in an extra lean sinew sort-of-way.
> How long before the IRS inquires into his earnings?
Never. He’s a Canadian living in Toronto.
Easier for him to say that in New Zealand. Canada is a bit colder in the winter.
> Canada is a bit colder in the winter.
I know a bit about Canada (born and raised in Vancouver).
I hope he's recycling aluminum cans. They are worth some money.
jerk, read the title of the article. and the line about paying rent is in the past tense.
Give this man a business.
alberta is a plenty expensive place to live.
Makes you wonder what the mines pay.
Of course, you’d likely need a large percentage of that $14 per hour just to pay for an apartment in Edomonton or Fort Mac, assuming you can find one.
One of the causes of homelessness, by the way, is city zoning regulations that have pretty much driven the rooming house out of existence. For a single person of limited means living in the city, these used to be an important source of low-cost housing. Sure, most people might prefer to have a space all of their own, although then again a rooming house might be good for the socializing and shared food preparation facilities.
Rubbish - I’ve seen highways that have signs saying they’ve been adopted by so and so all over Ontario, Quebec, NB and NS. Well, actually, I’m not sure I’ve seen them in Quebec, but the others, yes.
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