Quote Originally Posted by BC_MoM
No, never. They all have a equal chance of getting a job if they really wanted one, in my opinion. I feel sorry for them, but I'm not going to encourage them being poor and homeless. If they want money to live, they can work for it. There's something out there for everyone.
I disagree that the world is a land of equal opportunity. First of all, if that were the case, why would we need programs like affirmative action to help socially underprivaleged groups? Secondly, who is going to hire a bum off the street with no address and probably no references or clean clothes? Once you are in a position like that, it is very hard to change. People can become that way through poor choices, say a bad drug habit, but I find it seriously hard to judge people based on a few poor choices, probably that started when they were young.

I give money to panhandlers sometimes, depending on whether or not I have any cash. Like, last week I got an unexpected check in the mail and later that day some lady came up to me asking for bus fare- I figured I might as well believe her and share $2. Who knows, if I had made different choices in life or had a long string of bad luck, that could have been me.