Panhandling for Dummies

@celticeagle (157593)
Boise, Idaho
August 14, 2010 3:42am CST
City of Boise is asking people to give to homeless organizations and not to the panhandlers we see around town. They usually set outside the parking lots of the grocery stores and have signs up either asking for money or a job. I have often wondered why these people, who are by large majority vets, dorn't go to the Department of Labor and get a job like everyone else does. Maybe that sounds alitte harsh but are we kidding ourselves. These 'vets' are dirty and look like they are either drunk or have a hangover and yet they expect people to stop and give them money or take them to their homes and give them jobs? I don't think so. I am glad to see my city is doing something and putting out the word. What do you think? http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2010/08/05/boise-launches-pilot-program-to-discourage-giving-to-panhandlers
1 person likes this
5 responses
@jands1 (835)
• United States
14 Aug 10
New Orleans, LA USA was a haven for panhandlers. Residents quickly learned if someone claimed to be a Veteran then to ask to see their Veterans Card. Every panhandler that claimed to be a Veteran and asked me for money, without fail, never had a Veterans Card and was not a Veteran. They were all frauds. This is across the board for all cities/towns in the USA. All persons claiming Veteran Status should be able to, without fail, provide a Veterans Card. Do not fall for this scam!!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Aug 10
That is a good rule to go by. I am so relieved that my city is finally doing something. It is so senseless I think.
@jands1 (835)
• United States
14 Aug 10
Exactly. For one to claim to be a Veteran to a total stranger, proof is required. Anyone who is really a needy Veteran will have a Veterans Card. This enables them to get medical help via the VA Hospitals. It has a wavy USA flag with bold letters on the top stating Department of Veteran Affairs. Below that is a picture of the person. Below the picture is anything distinguishing such as former POW or Purple Heart Medal. Then it will have their name. Just so everyone knows what the front side looks like if every presented with such a card. Most USA states have laws into effect providing severe criminal penalty for anyone falsely claiming to be a Veteran. These laws are there to protect Veterans. For example Alaska signed theirs into law in the spring of 2004. And the federal government will hastily step in if someone fraudulently claims to be an officer, especially if they claim to be a Veteran Officer.
• United States
14 Aug 10
My father is a Veteran and he does not have a Veterans card he does however have a full time job and would never dream of stooping that low no matter how hard up he is. He would go to a church before panhandeling. I guess some of our Vets still have pride. The people that are saying they are Vets when in fact they are not are the lowest of the low. Claiming to be something your not for monetary gain is a low thing to do. Really sounds like criminal impersonation to me but what do I know. I have a job and go there every day like my dad taught me. So if you see a Vet out there panhandeling chances are they are not really Vets just some scum bag using it to make us feel bad and give them money.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
14 Aug 10
hi celticeagle Why if they are vets are they not going to the Va to get finacial aid and jobs? If they are v ets who were honorably discharged then they should have some funds coming any way.The city dads of Boise should jump on the Va for not coming to the rescue of these vets with job and with retirement payments if they are legally discharged.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
18 Aug 10
When my husband was leaving the military, a vet advocate came to talk to them. He said that the VA will not tell you anything unless you ask. So you will not know what programs, monies, training is available unless you ask and you know what questions to ask. The VA will not provide anything that they aren't asked for. They will NOT tell you what you need to know automatically. So he rehursed with them how to ask and what to ask. He also outlined all the programs. Anyone who missed that meeting didn't know any of that. 1/3 of the men missed it because they were on duty. My husband meets people who do not know they qualify for things all the time. There are also technicalities. One vet's home had burned down so he didn't have his discharge papers. His information hadn't been entered into any computers. They told him to go to whatever regional center. He's paralized from the neck down with no way to get there. Then there is proving his condition was service related since it got worse afterward. The problems go on and on with the system. My husband's Dad had his discharge papers and it was a good thing, many Korean Vet's records were distroyed during a disaster. In other words, it's a mess.
• United States
15 Aug 10
You think that Boise, Idaho has a problem, try coming to California. Los Angeles and San Diego have it bad. The homeless population is so high around here, and there are a lot of homeless shelters and food banks and none of that seems to be enough. Then, there are those people who act like they are homeless, and then you find out that they aren't. They are just doing it to make a buck because they don't want to work. Now, as for vets, I know that there are a lot of homeless around and I do know about the organizations out there that will help them out. California actually has quite a few organizations to help out homeless veterans.
@GardenGerty (157047)
• United States
15 Aug 10
I do not think pan handling is an answer, but I do not know of that many jobs out there for people. I also think, and have been told, that for some people this is a lifestyle choice, because it lets them be more in control and not have to deal with the stresses of a job and society. I do not know for sure. I do not give money to panhandlers, though.
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
16 Aug 10
I don't either. That may be true.
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
14 Aug 10
I have seen many people such as you speak of on the streets and in parking lots holding signs saying they will work for food or other such things. I have given some of them money. I hate to say it but I kind of pick and choose according to the feelings I have when I see them. Some of them I seem to know or have a feeling that this is all they do. You are right I do not want to bring any of these strangers to my home. They know this too, at least most of them do anyway. So all they do is sit or stand out side for several hours basically begging for money. How can they do this? I mean I always said if someone really wants to work they will find a job. I still feel this way.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Aug 10
I feel the same way. I try to devert my eyes and really have a problem with looking at them square on. I mean I am terribly embarrased for them. I even saw a guy out begging one day that had nice clothes on. That irritated me big time! I never had a problem finding a job and I think these people are just down right lazy and thinks we owe them because they are vets!!
• United States
15 Aug 10
It's so hard for some people and I've fallen on hard times before myself, but I have never gone out and begged for anything in my life. Many of the people out there begging for money have never seen a day of war or fighting on foreign soil. The ones that are vets they have their problems and issues to deal with because of the war. The vets do have options through the government to have housing and food and all the things needed. They do not have to be out there begging for money or food. I do realize that some of them actually many of them are not able to be social people and not not good around others, but they still do not need to be in the streets. The people there are there because they want to be. I have no idea what would happen in anyone's life to make them want to live like that but I know they have other options.