DB> Why is it Seattle has a large homeless (tramp, bum, hobo,
DB> etc)  population without the massive problems other areas
DB> seem to have.  Yes, there's societal problems but they're
DB> over on Cathedral Hill,  another part of town. You do see
DB> the indigent walking around, even  sitting on public
DB> benches. You don't see them sleeping under downtown 
DB> underpasses and public parks.  
I have two sisters-in-law that live in the Seattle
area, one who has moved out of the city proper and the
other looking for a place so she can.  The reason that
the homeless in Seattle are better off then in most
areas is simple, a large amount of tax funds are spent
on them.  IOW, the hard working people are paying the
bill so these tramps, bums and etc (but not hobos
because they work to get the money they need not beg or
steal) can have their 'freedom'.
These people want their freedom but don't want to pay
the price for it; responsibility!  They want their
freedom but they also want someone to be responsible
for them when they need something.  They get sick and
they expect someone to GIVE them care and meds.  They
get hungary they expect someone to GIVE them a meal (or
money).  They get really cold they expect someone to
GIVE them shelter.
If a bum falls and splits the back of his scape on the
curb -=I=- pay some of the bill.  Now who is helping me
pay the bill when my kid splits the back of his scape
when he falls of the bed?
To me they are no better than the people who live off
the system by getting welfare, medicare, food stamps,
et al.
Even you will have to admit that some of these people
should NOT be free because they CAN NOT handle the
responsibility.  Most of the homeless I've came in
contact with have mental problems.
Cold?  Yes.  Hard?  Yes.  Unfortunately real life is
cold and hard.
                      Remember:  Freedom isn't Free!
--- timEd-B11
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