The Lost Art; A Compasionate Society  

Hi Lillie,
Your post made for such soulful and touching thoughts that for a moment I wavered from my position of never helping beggars except for very very old and infirm.
The picture you paint is true to everywhere in the world and so are the people and their reasons. Even then, I do believe that most people take begging as an easy way out of working their butt off to earn a little cash. And just as money begets money, so does begging beget begging. The one time you are giving one cent to one outstretched hand, you are spoiling that person (and society) for good. The moment that person understands that a livelihood can be made on the streets, that person will never try to pick up a skill or do a decent job. It is true that circumstances force people to come out to the streets leaving behind their honour but it is equally true that there are many agencies and self-help groups who help people who want to help themselves.

I am not sure how to respond to this and the first response to your discussion. There are no simple answers. I agree with you both - to some extent. It is true we are a society that tends to over-look each other. And we will probably remain that way. I think the reality of it all is that we cannot change other people. I think that is where the frustration (which can move into apathy) lies.
It is not up to us to change other people...we can only change ourselves. We cannot change what they decide to do or what they decide to say. We cannot change our society...the ONLY thing WE can do is change ourselves.
We can look at our reactions and our biases. We can decide if those are right/wrong. We can work with the needy through different agencies and help "those who want to be helped." We can give them what we can. We can make a difference. BUT we cannot change them (anyone). We do not know or could even begin to understand their circumstances. Why do we insist in thinking our way is the best way? Why do we insist in thinking THEY should _____ (fill in the blank)? Why do we insist in thinking we know what they should do?
Instead of looking at ourselves and seeing what we can become...what we need to change and better within ourselves to make the difference -- we look to our neighbors, our family, our friends, co-workers, the guy on the ground, or the beggar on the bus...we look at them and decide they are in the wrong and they should change. It is a lot easier.
It is a lot easier to complain that they are not "earning their way"...they are not "earning their keep"...they are not contributing to our society. It is a lot easier to wait for our local help agencies and government (police, welfare, etc) to try and "force" them to change (putting them in jail to sober them up, or making them attend a church service in order to stay at a shelter, etc.) It is a lot easier to wait for society to change.
This of course, is only my opinion.
I truly feel we can only make changes within ourselves. If we want to make a difference, we must be willing to change or to move within ourselves. We have to be willing to BE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. We cannot control or change -- anyone else. We CAN be an influence. We CAN make a difference. We CAN provide assistance...but ultimately it is up to them to change...just as it is up to us to change.
I hope I have not offended anyone. I hope that this makes some sense. It is just my response to a passionately written start of this discussion. Compassion IS out there...or rather IN there! WE must BE the compassion.

Thanks Lillie for starting this discussion. You write beautifully.