Quote:
Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy
Unfortunately our government and frankly society as a whole has also made it entirely too easy to survive without working.
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This is a key point in this discussion. In the small city where I live (pop. ≈65K), the homeless have become a growth industry. A recent "Resource Fair" for connecting people in need with available services attracted over forty non-profits that focus on the homeless. These organizations are funneling a nice chunk of federal, state and county money into the area and city leaders don't want to see that revenue stream diminished by efforts aimed at reducing the number of homeless. In fact, the city council even recruited a new liberal police chief who rescinded the city's camping ban and allowed a homeless encampment to spring up in the city's main downtown park.
The vast majority of transients come here from less-tolerant, or less-hospitable, places to take advantage of the mild weather, the plethora of free services and the 'laissez-faire' policy of local law enforcement. This 'more-the-merrier' attitude keeps the homeless coming, their numbers keep money flowing to the non-profits, who, in turn, employ people who then pay taxes and support local businesses.
So, the bottom line is, no one wants to kill the goose that's laying golden eggs.