Hawaii has a problem. The homeless are taking over Waikiki Beach. They are coming from everywhere to pitch their makeshift tents on the beach and take advantage of support services in the islands. Hawaiian officials say each one of these people costs them about $35,000 a year.
One of the homeless is Tony Williams, a 35-year-old from Long Beach, California. "I'm dealing with the cards I got dealt," he said. Well, Tony, most people don't just sit around and look at the cards they've been dealt. They get off their tails and do something about their situations. And my question is, if you're so poor, how did you afford a plane ticket to Hawaii? I've taken a vacation there, and my airfare was not cheap!
One of the solutions Hawaii has come up with is one way tickets to send these people back where they came from. People on the mainland don't like that option -- "It's basically a callous, 'let's turn our back on the problem' approach to expect other cities to pick up and assume the responsibilities,'" said John Fox of Seattle. To my way of thinking, a 35-year-old like Tony Williams should assume his own responsibility. Why does any city owe him anything? The obvious solution is to quit offering the bums support services. If the funds dry up, they'll manage to go somewhere else.
"Homelessness in paradise." The Dallas Morning News; July 26, 2010; p. 4A.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
It's very hard to understand why they don't see the answers right in front of them! You are one wise woman Essie...cut 'em off, they'll leave!
Post a Comment