The Weekly Rant with Gary Patella

Thoughts and ideas on various grievances that are relevant to everyday life.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

On Panhandling

There is a disturbing activity that often takes place in most cities. This activity can be seen on street corners, in subways, and sometimes outside of food establishments. I am referring to panhandling. Beggars provide zero service to society and have a negative impact on a large number of people that they encounter. Asking for donations is simply rude.

Many will think that I'm being cold-hearted. Perhaps this is true. But it is not without justification. We must analyze the steps that take place in order for a person to become homeless. Becoming homeless involves losing a job, never getting a new job (and ample time is granted for this with unemployment), alienating all of one's family members, and alienating all of one's friends. The combination of these four things means that anyone homeless must either be insane or a lazy worthless piece of shit. And the insane ones are rather easy to spot. Where does that place the rest?

Some claim that anyone can become homeless through a house fire or some similar tragedy. But is that actually true? If your entire house burned down, would your boss say "I heard that you lost your home in a tragedy, so pack up all of your things. You're fired!" I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be the case. Anyone that isn't worthless would have somewhere to stay until an apartment is found. Being homeless involves an entire series of bad decisions on that person's part. Not one bad decision, not two, not even five, but an entire series of bad decisions. And as this person goes through this downward spiral he or she never bothers to do anything about it.

Panhandlers have become a major problem, and the new tactics are disturbing. Those that loiter in an ATM vestibule certainly cause discomfort. A person must now withdraw cash right in front of a beggar. Similar guilt tactics are used when a bum opens the door for all patrons at a restaurant. I also hate when I'm sitting down eating and someone places a crappy two-cent keychain on the table. The keychain has a note telling me to buy it for a few dollars. I never do.

My main point is that beggars are a major annoyance that should be stopped. Panhandling is already illegal, yet there seems to be no enforcement. Almost every day I am bothered by someone reeking of urine that shakes a cup of change in my face or sings a terrible song. And they always like to throw out some religious slogan like "God bless everyone on this train. I'll pray for all of you." Well thanks stinky, but even if a deity did exist, I don't think he's been paying too much attention to you.

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