Homeless Veterans, why?

Sam

Because it is much easier to stand on a corner and beg than it is to actually work and earn a living. I too have had my fair share of trying to help someone who is only looking for money for the next fix. I actually saw one talking on his cell phone while standing next to the Interstate off-ramp with a similar cardboard sign. One city in Florida requires all beggars to purchase city and county occupational licenses and obtain a FL tax certificate. It was amazing how quickly those "homeless and needy" people found jobs. Sad that we have become so skeptical. But we only have liars and thieves to blame.

Garth

Although many would not agree that it is by "choice", they do have alternatives that they are not choosing to use. That is, the ones who truly are veterans. I think many of those folks say that they are veterans to play on the sympathy of people to help give them money. I have had a similar experience; I saw a woman with a baby asking for money for food. I didn't give money, but went into a grocery store and bought food that didn't require refrigeration, including baby food for her kid. She got annoyed when I gave it to her, and said she only wanted money. If I'm not in a hurry, I'll offer to buy a slice of pizza, but never give money. Most of the time, that's just supporting an addiction.

fr_chuck

The VA does not have that many programs, and the VA often have long waiting list for medical care if they can even get in to it.

Note I am even pro Bush, pro america, but I work with the elderly and handicap and sadly the VA has been found very lacking

Black Sabbath

Most are mentally or physically handicapped from the war, or are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

sdvwallingford

Actually, there are many homeless veterans, and it is a true disgrace for us as a nation. People become homeless primarily because of mental illness; in this case often brought on by PTSD or other difficulties in dealing with past experiences. Also, the United States (this has happened under both Dems and GOP) has never been terribly aggressive in distributing services to its veterans because the cost is exhorbitant. President Nixon even placed veterans on his 'enemies list.'

Yes, it is a huge problem that there are people who are scamming as fake homeless, and this hurts everyone (as you noted, you were taken advantage of when you were trying to do something kind and unselfish; I gave a homeless woman in Atlantic City five dollars and then watched her walk right into the casino!).

Lacey

Unfortunately, the government cuts benefits that help veterans.

NellaNasus

Because, most of them are not homeless nor are they veterans.

There was a story in the Medford Mail Tribune a few months ago about a family that was living in an ASHLAND motel. (Ashland, Oregon). They were on the corners begging and were making lots of money (I forget how much). They had 3 kids that were always in school, clean and dressed well. They were also on Welfare.

My husband IS a disable vet. He worked his butt off to raise our 3 daughters. He NEVER gives the so-called begging "vets" anything.

teambargain

sad isn't it? I did the same thing to a street corner hustler, he told me to literally F*** off. I didn't give him the money he wanted. I feel sorry if the real ww veterans are homelss. Because you are right we do have programs available.

krystal

i think a lot of homeless people are just scammers. they dont want food, they want money so that they can buy alcohol or drugs. i think if there are veterans that are homeless they probably chose to be that way, they are too lazy to get a job or are into drugs so they do the pitty thing to get by. there are programs out there to help veterans.

sony93931

have you ever heard of a lie ?people do it all the time offer one of those guys food they wont take it but show them some money and they want that its very hard to tell who is in need and who isnt

MP US Army

Because some people routinely make bad decisions like drugs and alcohol.

Coddling them only makes it worse.

From an Army Vet.

jenshensnest

In my time of volunteer work at skidrow portland, those who were homeless chose to be homeless.
Many vet's simply were not taught how to cope with war and death, so they have become afraid of living with responsibility.
If they have a qualifying disability they may not recieve enough to support them.
Ex: man missing one foot recieves $130.00 month disability.
Prostisses is a foam cushion in shoe.
Pain and headaches are daily and worsten with walking because of what is refered to as ghost pains.
If I see a homeless person playing music or something that resembles work or if they are missing limbs or over 70 years I will give money or buy food nearby, but everyone else no way.

thumper

Some of them are veterans and some just claim to be. I think it would be fare to say allot of them suffer from some sort of addiction and really want money not food.But please do not take this wrong. I think we don't support our veterans enough. We need to put them strait and show them what they were fighting for. we need to show we support them 100%.I don't think money is the answer.I think we need to accept them back into society better than we do.

people of world

Its the duty of the American govt to get the job done and kick their as*. "The job" is not for the American people but for some to make bucks.

hmmmmm

although some of them are fakes there are true homeless veterans. some of them are too severely mentally damaged to get jobs and even live on their own its very sad

Cinnomin

AMERICAN GOVERMENT.

revolution is brewing

There is something about a vet that you can see in their eyes. Alot of them are drug addicts alot of them have Post Traumatic Stress disorder. Every year the Government cuts more medical/financial benefits for our returning vets. The DAV is in a constant battle to try to get funding for these men and women. I know a handful of disabled vets that it took over a year to even get a diagnosis and when they did it had to be decided by a board what they were willing to do to help these guys. I don't know alot of people that are disabled and not able to get financial help for well over a year that can manage to hold on to a place to live. I live month to month, If I didn't get a paycheck every month I'd be on the street too.

ricardocobar

poor homeless.. few of them make more money than a regular worker believe it or not... most of them are homeless because they are addicts to drugs or alcohol and they don't want to change. So bad.

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