So, I begin this post with a few very wise words from an unlikely source:
We’re in one of the richest countries in the world, but the minimum wage is lower than it was thirty five years ago. There are homeless people everywhere. People love to judge homeless guys. Like if you give them money they’re just going to waste it. Well, he lives in a box, what do you want him to do? Save it up and buy a wall unit? Take a little run to the store for a throw rug and a CD rack? He’s homeless. I walked behind this guy the other day. A homeless guy asked him for money. He looks right at the homeless guy and says; “Why don’t you go get a job, you bum?” People always say that to homeless guys, like it’s so easy. This homeless guy was wearing his underwear outside his pants. Outside his pants. I’m guessing his resume ain’t all up to date. I’m predicting some problems during the interview process. I’m pretty sure even McDonald’s has an “underwear goes inside the pants” policy. Not that they enforce it very strictly, but technically I’m sure it’s on the books. — from Underwear Goes Inside the Pants by Lazyboy
Sure, the lyrics are from an angry rap composition from a white male with a smoker’s voice, but he makes a few very excellent points. The truth is, with many more companies finding the profit by outsourcing their labor, many Americans will have to face this idea of poverty and/or homelessness in the future.
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless:
Not only have wages stagnated or declined over the last two decades, but also job stability and job security have deteriorated. The share of workers in “long 
term jobs” (those lasting at least 10 years) fell sharply between 1979 and 1996, with the worst deterioration taking place since the end of the 1980s (qtd. in National Coalition for the Homeless). Another measure of job stability, involuntary job loss, has increased in recent years. Displaced workers face difficulty finding new employment; when they do find work, their new jobs pay, on average, about 13% less than the jobs they lost. And more than one-fourth of those who had health insurance on their old jobs don’t have it at their new ones (qtd. in National Coalition for the Homeless).
A little more frightening than you thought it was, right? So why is it that we’re so worried about globalizating our nation? Sure, sure. It’s important to stay up to date with what other countries are doing, but human life and health shouldn’t be less important than a global race to see who has the most awesome technology. C’mon, America. Where are your priorities?
RESOURCES
“Employment and Homelessness.” The National Coalitition for the Homeless. May 2007. 01 October 2007 <http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/employment.html>.
Lazyboy. “Underwear Goes Inside the Pants.” Lazyboy TV. Asylum, 2004.
I really liked your example and quote from the rap artist. Not all sources have to come from politicians or scientists, etc. I also liked your choice for the image. It really added to the effect of your blog entry. Good Job!
-Melissa H.
By: mmmlissa on October 2, 2007
at 11:08 am
I like and appreciate the concern about the health and poverty of many citizens in the U.S. that are living on the streets. While a good many out there with the signs trying to get a few bucks are truly homeless for unfortunate reasons, how do we act locally to help those without putting booz money in the hands of others? Do we sort them out or make a single program for all? I’m all for helping others, but some people just don’t want to be helped nor want to help themselves.
By: sarahjen on October 3, 2007
at 10:02 pm
There are so many ways to help. A lot of homeless people really want to work – but they have no clothes to apply for jobs, no phone number for a prospective employer to call them back at.
It doesn’t always require money…take a warm blanket in the car and give it to someone who is homeless…cold bottles of water on hot days.
A few days ago, I went into an IHOP and there was this really old man sitting on a bench outside, obviously homeless. I bought an extra meal and sent it out to him.
Yes, we need more programs and better facilities…but it all starts with us…the individual. Thanks for this article – we need more people speaking out.
By: nicolen on October 9, 2007
at 12:44 pm
Someone else pointed out that how can we help that small percentage that really are in unfortunate situations? I guess the majority of people has this generalization of homeless people who only want money for cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. I guess a way to deter the people who want these things is to offer them material items, like your post said, a blanket on a cold day, or food. I was helping my brother with a photography project and attempted to get shots of some homeless people. The first person we approached said he would participate if we gave him money. I told him we had a #3 from Jack in a Box and coffee. He said he’d rather have the money, though it was obvious he was undernourished and was cold (It was January.) The next homeless person we approached was thankful for the food and even told us her story of how luck just wasn’t on her side.
By: bbgray51 on October 29, 2007
at 4:24 pm
Someone else pointed out that how can we help that small percentage that really are in unfortunate situations? I guess the majority of people has this generalization of homeless people who only want money for cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. I guess a way to deter the people who want these things is to offer them material items, like your post said, a blanket on a cold day, or food. I was helping my brother with a photography project and attempted to get shots of some homeless people. The first person we approached said he would participate if we gave him money. I told him we had a #3 from Jack in a Box and coffee. He said he’d rather have the money, though it was obvious he was undernourished and was cold (It was January.) The next homeless person we approached was thankful for the food and even told us her story of how luck just wasn’t on her side.
-Beth S.
By: bbgray51 on October 29, 2007
at 4:25 pm