by I saw this guy struggling with this cart holding the biggest mountain of cans I’ve ever seen. Why is there not a job out there for someone willing to work so hard and so diligently?
Stacy Horn
I've written six non-fiction books, the most recent is Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad, and Criminal in 19th-Century New York.
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I think that thought every time I see someone begging or busking. How much effort does it take to get out there and ask total strangers for money? I couldn’t do it. I think the main problem with a ‘normal job’ is that it is too restrictive and there are probably way too many rules to follow. Among other problems. I think it’s similar to the ‘homeless’ problem. Some street people can’t abide living in shelters and I don’t blame them. If only we could provide small, private rooms with bathrooms and a bit of a kitchen for people who can’t afford anything else. I believe there have been studies that show providing minimum housing for people is cheaper than having them show up at hospitals all the time and all the police and other personnel that get involved. Same with safe injection sites. We have a few here in Canada but they are always precarious as people try to shut them down, in spite of proof that they are cheaper and better for everyone.
Argh.
Yes, I agree there are other issues which prevents some people from being able to hold a regular job.
De Blasio has tried to provide minimum housing but it’s costing a fortune. I haven’t researched it but the City is being charged a fortune for these places, it’s insane.