America’s most under-reported story: Homelessness

[sheshe2]

MSNBC’s Ronin Farrow Daily asked viewers what stories in their minds were under-reported. The resounding feedback was the story of homelessness.

In New York City alone, 53 thousand people spend their nights in homeless shelters, enough to fill Yankee’s Stadium and then some. And the issue of homelessness transcends joblessness.

It is estimated that many of the city’s homeless leave the shelters for jobs. But the downward spiral of poverty, fueled by low wages make it close to impossible for many of the working homeless to support their families and save for a decent place to live.

Farrow spent time with “Saquana” one of the working homeless and mother of two. She talks candidly about her tragic situation, not in the voice of pity, but in tones of hope, saying she is taking skills training classes and searching for better paying work not only for herself but for her family.

Video at the Link: http://thegrio.com/2014/03/24/americas-most-under-reported-story-homelessness/

[TBF]

1. It should be easy.

Lots of empty houses out there ... and people need somewhere to live.

[Sissyk]

2. Thank you for this she she2!

Homelessness should be on our radar daily.

Everyone's radar!

Please, help if you can.

[dreamnightwind]

3. Rec for homeless attention

not for the uber-1% Farrow.

Odd they can't even get his name right, it's Ronan, not Ronin.

Can anyone look at him and see Woody Allen rather than Sinatra? I can't.

Sorry, I meant to keep this about the homeless, who desperately need our attention and resources.

[sheshe2]

4. Thanks, dreamnightwind. Would you please go here too.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024720250

[dreamnightwind]

6. I did, now would you please go here...

The Conservative Myth of a Social Safety Net Built on Charity
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024717899

I hope those people get help, wherever they get it from is better than starving or freezing.

On a system level, though, conservatives have long been in favor of shrinking government safety nets in favor of local charities, usually religious ones. I strongly oppose such an approach.

For one thing, I see most all religions as different cults promoting backward superstitions, social control, selective help, evangelism, propagandizing people to their out-dated and largely destructive world views. They discourage free thought and honest analysis, since such things are dangerous to their ideology. Dominionism is an extreme but not atypical example. Why care for a planet you will soon leave in favor of heaven? Let the devil take the earth, we have God's kingdom. It's all part of God's plan anyway, who gave us dominion over this good earth.

As a society, we need to prioritize the well-being of the earth and its inhabitants over corporate profits or religious ideology. We spend more money in this country than the next 10 countries (officially, actually many more, because much of it spent is off budget) on our military and "security" establishment, which is about neither defense nor security, it's about securing access to cheap raw materials and desperate labor forces for multinational corporations, who are now firmly in the drivers seat of this and most other nations.

We could, very easily, take care of our people without relying on charities, especially religions. We are, instead, side-tracked to relying on these institutions so that we don't rock the boat which is enriching the capitalists with vast fortunes while destroying the very earth we live on, as well as many of its inhabitants.

[William769]

5. Kick & recommended.