Homeless and Destitute.

getting the gov out of our lives so we can keep more of the fruit of our labor, people would be much more charitable.

It was parked on the street in our town. I ran my quick errand and went back to find it gone. I now wish I had immediately gone back, or at the very least wrote down the phone number!
I didn't need the wood, but would have gladly paid for it to be delivered to one of the elderly in the community on a fixed income. And I would have given extra money for groceries--this person obviously believed in working for a living.

achievement award as someone who OPPOSES government welfare and wants to lift the burden of big government off the backs of people so they can more easily engage in private CHARITY.

That should answer your question right there.

I think one needs to ask themselves before coming to a conclusion:

Do I think it is proper to point a gun at someone and take their money to accomplish this idea?

If the answer to that is, "NO!" then you have your answer to government involvement.

"Government cannot give, that which it first does not take."

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force. Like fire - a dangerous servant and a fearful master." Geo. Washington.

The only tool government has is a gun.

So would you use a gun to feed, shelter, or clothe people?

No?

Then don't have government do it.

Do it yourself.

People who think government "needs" to do something, are themselves too lazy to do something, or else don't want to be "bothered" to do it, or learn enough about why it might need to be done.

Also, some people can't fathom that it isn't their place to presume someone else needs "their help."

To be sure, no one wants to see someone starving, or cold so...

bring them food.

bring them blankets.

Offer them a ride to a shelter.

Volunteer at the shelter.

But the moment you mention government, you just threatened to point a gun at ME, and steal from ME, to do what you want.

Now tell me, how is THAT appropriate?

the sad conclusion is that most of them are self defeating. The ones we were able to help really just used our resources as a foothold until they were able to make it on their own. You knew within a few days which was which.

to follow the emotions rather than reason. The child waits for Santa Claus, the parent knows that he must work and save money to provide the gifts.

Every person is tempted to shun reality and join the "hope" parade, it is so much easier. This is why we're at war right now and printing money like madmen, but just as in economic matters, there will be a correction...it can be sooner and less violent or later and catastrophic. If even our own are being swayed by the emotions, it will be the latter. As others have said, take matters into your own hands if you feel charity doesn't serve them. Just make sure the money you hand over doesn't run straight to the liquor store which can be the case all too often.

Meant to comment on a different post...sorry

(shameful bump) accident....

The churches pulled back on these efforts. Not many are set up to help strangers. Also they have poor among themselves and they are busy helping the people you don't see on the street. That is the advantage of belonging to a faith community.

Next, Because government did there job so poorly in giving benifts to people who never should have received them. They have taken the $ from those who truly have need today. Another law of unintended consequences.

Now as for those people you see. You cannot help them all. Try to spot the ones who are not crack heads, or self imposed poor. Take a few to an all you can eat buffet, pay the tab, and leave them to eat for 3 hours straight.

I never give money, I always buy food, or items and distribute.

Merry xmas

If you want to arrange it
This world you can change it
If we could somehow make this
Christmas thing last

By helping a neighbor
Or even a stranger
And to know who needs help
You need only just ask

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA0vPtboZIw&feature=related

If we become self sufficient, we can then teach others to be. If you set up an aquaponics system to feed your family, you will be able to help others set up systems. You will get more baby fish and seeds than you can use. When you freely give away that which you do not need it is not charity, it is "potlatch." When enough of us begin to have that type of mindset, it will be Jubilee.
Empty warehouses every where, and homeless people locked out of them. Love is the answer, but people are so afraid of being taken advantage of... If you are freely giving what you do not need, how are you taken advantage of? Someone "undeserving" may benefit from your kindness, but that is not a reflection on you.

There is an easy way to find out for yourself.Go to a couple of thrift stores and buy about 20 blankets,Take these out and hand them to the needy on the street,Then ask yourself how you feel!You may experience one of the most incredible feelings you have ever felt.In this you will find your answer.

Take a stand ---

you know you can do it - it is in your heart.

There is nothing wrong with choosing to be charitable, but do not confuse charity with government welfare which is simply theft. Real charity means giving of yourself, real charity does not mean giving away some else's money, the product of their efforts. "Public" charity is forced charity, theft, slavery. "Public" charity is not a virtue, but a vice.

for........Liberty!

The average person assumes the Govt is taking care of such matters. "The People"-based societal structures such as charities and churches have atrophied and more-or-less disappeared as the welfare state has ballooned into the behemoth it is today.

As far as the question of whether we have a moral responsibility to aid our fellow human-beings when they are in desperate straits? I think the answer is absolutely "yes" and don't see how it benefits anyone individually or any society as a whole to embrace social darwinism.

once or twice was buy them a hot sandwhich, cup of soup or cocoa....what good does it do to give money to a person that has nowhere to put what they could possibly buy with it....

If we follow the Dr.s' orders. He stood on the stage in front of a national audience and spoke the truth. We all know it. We need to "change what we believe the role of government should be. If we think the government should take care of us from cradle to grave...police the world..etc. "

Congressmen Paul didn't talk about turning people out in the street. He talked about drawing down empire, taking care of responsibility and re-educating people to the proper role of government.

For speaking the truth he was ridiculed. We know the truth we just don't want to accept it. It won't be easy, I think Dr. Paul would be the first to admit that. He should know, he's been working toward that vision for a long, long time. But it can't be impossible, if it's impossible we are doomed.

and what if no family to fall back on? The gov't influences charity and one's ability to give. Taking away non-profit status from churches? How would that work out for homeless? Just keep giving to charities and food banks.

As much as 40% of homeless suffer from a mental illness. It could be even higher. A large percentage also deal with substance abuse. Not all suffer from mental illness or substance abuse but many do.

This is a huge factor in trying to get people off the street.

now I help them.. and feeding pigeons almost every day too...