[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Forsyth

Yes, I've seen panhandlers work as a team. In addition, as a E.R. nurse, currently working out of FL, but seeing the best and the worst, I'd like to throw in my opinion. I, too, have given people at intersections, as my "good deed of the day." However, I also see these type people, either as Medicaid or self-pay never-to-be collected. They get, at the goverment's direction, the best medical treatment that hospitals provide and are transferred to another facility for specialized care, no questions about payment has ever stopped the receipt of the best medical care. Helicopter transport where I'm currently working is $12,000 to a hospital 40 miles away. But I can't even go to an Urgent Care without "permission" from the insurance company and co-payment. Families will sell foodstamps for profit. Cell phones, manicures, pedicures, hairdos, tattoos. People come into the ER every day with moans and groans, demanding treatment of this or that ailment, then I take the drug screen and it turns up positive for cocaine. Where do they get it and how do they pay for it?? Another situation that's setting my teeth on edge: Many organizations give out free school products now. I don't remember anybody ever giving us school supplies, in addition, my father had to buy my textbooks from grade 7 to grade 12. He worked in a factory making about $30/week. No one is giving my grandchildren anything.
I'll come down from my soapbox now.....

Well said. I sure do agree.

and I'll add this. My husband says that we are the only country in the world whose poor people are overweight.

I don't want anyone here to think that I don't care about people who are down and out. No one knows exactly how a person lives and what their problems are. I just think that a lot more people could try a little harder than they do. I really believe that a lot of people are lazy and just live off of the government.

[uujudy]

We had a minister who printed up a list of all the social service agencies & their addresses in the town, including food banks, shelters, churches & clinics. She printed it so the list was small (but still readable), and we could carry them in our wallets, and she encouraged us to give them to the panhandlers instead of money. Everyone I gave a list to thanked me. One of them cried. She was new in town and had no idea there were agencies that would help her.

[Talk Host]

Okay, here are my 3 begging stories.

In Kathmandu, Nepal on business I was constantly approached by beggars, mostly little children. They would even stand outside a restaurant window staring in at me as I ate. One thing that struck me, after a while, was that many of them had a deformity of some sort. Mostly arms and legs. I asked one of my Nepalese colleagues about that aspect. Here is what she said: "When these children are infants, their parents break one of their arms or legs so that it is deformed, enhancing their ability to successfully beg."

In Novosibirsk, Siberia, a colleague and I were walking along a main street on a snowy Friday evening. We were approached by a Siberian fellow. He said, "Are you American guys?" We said "Yes." He then said, "Please give me $75 so I can buy a Japanese television."

Many of you have been to Ireland. In Dublin mostly, "Tinker" children have been trained to beg by their parents. They will get in front of you on a Dublin street, walk backward at the same pace as you with their eyes fixed on yours. All the while, shaking a small empty box toward you. It's hypnotic and haunting.

If you don't know about Tinkers. Look them up on Google.