What do you all think of panhandlers? In my community, the number of panhandlers has grown exponentially from the time I was a *** until now. Seems like there is someone on every street median asking for spare change. I don't ever give them money, nor do I feel that anyone should. Occasionally, I'll give them a cigarette or a single serving package of Advil, they always seem to be upset that I'm not giving them money. The other day I was at a stop light on my way home, and there were 4 people panhandling, one per median at the intersection. I thought panhandling was a crime? I've gotten pulled over and ticketed for having a slight tint on my front windows, in front of panhandlers, and I really think that I was punished for the "lesser" offense.
I find their signs to be particularly appalling, claiming that they have families that they need to feed, or that they are "down on their luck," etc... I just see it as a lack of motivation and personal responsibility. May sound callous, I suppose, but I really don't care about how people perceive my attitudes towards vagrancy. I saw a guy the other day with a sign claiming he was a Vietnam Vet, and he couldn't have been more than 40 years old, and by my math, that's impossible. I've seen people with "Just got laid off," signs stand on the same street corner for up to 9 months... It just bugs me I guess. Its *******; where they position themselves on/near the roadways it is dangerous; and the more that people give them money it creates less incentive for that individual to actually try to get a job and participate actively in society instead of leaching off of it.
Some of these people probably make a very good amount of money doing this year round, they don't pay taxes, it just annoys me. Here's a story about a Colorado man that makes up to $25/hr. panhandling: Premium Link Upgrade
What is your take on vagrancy and begging/panhandling? Am I being too over the top about this? Or are there people who feel the same as I do on this?
I find their signs to be particularly appalling, claiming that they have families that they need to feed, or that they are "down on their luck," etc... I just see it as a lack of motivation and personal responsibility. May sound callous, I suppose, but I really don't care about how people perceive my attitudes towards vagrancy. I saw a guy the other day with a sign claiming he was a Vietnam Vet, and he couldn't have been more than 40 years old, and by my math, that's impossible. I've seen people with "Just got laid off," signs stand on the same street corner for up to 9 months... It just bugs me I guess. Its *******; where they position themselves on/near the roadways it is dangerous; and the more that people give them money it creates less incentive for that individual to actually try to get a job and participate actively in society instead of leaching off of it.
Some of these people probably make a very good amount of money doing this year round, they don't pay taxes, it just annoys me. Here's a story about a Colorado man that makes up to $25/hr. panhandling: Premium Link Upgrade
What is your take on vagrancy and begging/panhandling? Am I being too over the top about this? Or are there people who feel the same as I do on this?
