Homelessness grows as more live check-to-check

USA Today ^ | 8/12/03 | Stephanie Armour

[Gothmog]

Homelessness in major cities is escalating as more laid-off workers already living paycheck-to-paycheck wind up on the streets or in shelters.

As Americans file for bankruptcy in record numbers and credit card debt explodes, more workers are a paycheck away from losing their homes. Now the frail economy is pushing them over the edge. With 9 million unemployed workers in July, the face of homelessness is changing to include more families shaken by joblessness.

[Gothmog]

Hmm, let's see. You don't think there's a GOP President with an election coming up, do you?

"The findings are from a 2003 survey of 25 cities by the U.S. Conference of Mayors."

A good source, these mayors wouldn't happen to be overwhelmingly liberal Dems, would they? Since they're the mayors where most of the homeless are, why don't they do something about this.

Oh, I forgot, that would ruin the political shot at Bush.

[goodnesswins]

" one of his homeless clients lost his job and is living in his Mercedes, which is paid for, while he seeks employment."

[samuel_adams_us]

Actually the statistics are true, last night in Denver bush only had 350 supporters show up for his benefit, only 1 million raised and there were over 4000 protesters outside with signs that read, "Where is my job?". Open your eyes and your ears and pay attention to your fellow man.

[Joe Bonforte]

Yep, we all know what the solution to this problem is. Elect a Democratic president, and presto! The homeless problem is gone! Or at least it disappears from the newspapers.

[tdadams]

Of, course, the homeless problem only occurs when a Republican administration is in the White House. Otherwise, there's nary a mention of it in the press.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

'But my kids, if they become successful, they won't look down on people who are poor.

I grew up poor - dirt poor, often wondering where the next meal was coming from. This was due to a father who wouldn't keep a job more than 6 weeks and a mother who refused to work. I quickly learned what not to do, and have been successful in my own life being the opposite of my parents. I'm sorry, but I do look down on poor people - most of the time, it's their own poor life choices that put them there.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

"As Americans file for bankruptcy in record numbers and credit card debt explodes, more workers are a paycheck away from losing their homes. Now the frail economy is pushing them over the edge. With 9 million unemployed workers in July, the face of homelessness is changing to include more families shaken by joblessness."

More families with children are homeless. This is not an increase due to more drug addicts. This is an increase due to unemployment. These Americans are not even included in the statistics anymore.

[Gothmog]

I'd find it somewhat eye opening if you actually had a credible source for that 4,000 figure. But only because libs don't usually bother with the facts.

How about it, got a source for that or did that figure just pop into your empty head?

[finnman69]

This article makes it seem there are throng of Americans losing their homes on every corner and selling appcles from carts on street corners.

[Gothmog]

"These Americans are not even included in the statistics anymore."

Then how do you know there's been an increase?

[finnman69]

Maybe those 4000 protesters might find a job quicker if they spent less time protesting at RAT sponsored protests.

[Brian S]

I know of three relatives that have just exhausted their unemployment benefits after being laid off last year.

They thought they would just be able to "walk into" another job but are finding that they can, if they want to take a wage cut of up to 75%. Plenty of $6.00 "stop and rob" clerk jobs available...

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

I'm referring to the unemployment statistics. At some point, people fall off the stats. The number of Americans under-employed is not shown either.

[samuel_adams_us]

Maybe if there were jobs to be had, they would be looking. It's the chicken and the egg problem and btw, more than half of these people were registered republicans so before you type cast someone, know what you are talking about.

[scottlang]

People I talk to are saying more and more that they think they would do better under a democrat. If the the economy does not get better Bush will have problems next year.

[samuel_adams_us]

KHOW radio news this morning. It will be in the papers today and I will send you the headline. Only 350 people were there for bush, I know, I was one of them.

[babyface00]

Come on Gothmog,

Don't you know its the President's job to provide jobs for people? You know, from each according to his ability, to each according to his need? Its right there in the Constitution, isn't it?

Have some compassion already.
Nevermind that you're getting taxed to death to pay for "social programs" at both the state and federal level, and probably donate at work and at church, its still you're fault!

I bet you're a white male too.

</end sarcastic rant>

[mewzilla]

Let'em say that. When the next terrorist attack sends the economy back into the dumper, we can ask them what in Hades they were thinking. While more of us look for work, that is...

[samuel_adams_us]

No, but it is the job of the president to look after the best interest of the citizens of this country and employing chinese and indians is not. Even Alexander Hamilton knew about tariffs and fair and free trade.

[tdadams]

"People think we get homeless because we're irresponsible, but it's hard finding jobs," says Brochu, 29, ... Nearly a quarter of Americans would be late on mortgages, rent or other bills if a single paycheck were delayed

And that's not irresponsible? Have you never been introduced to the concept of a savings account?