Opportunity to work, rather than a hand-out, works.

Quote:Homelessness is on the rise in most major cities, and while some Democrats are turning to big government solutions, a Republican mayor from New Mexico is teaming up with non-profits and actually fixing the problem.

Albuquerque’s Mayor Richard Berry saw a rise in panhandlers in his city and knew that something had to be done. Rather than trying to kick them out, or just building new government shelters, he gave them a chance to work.

In September 2015, Berry launched “There’s a Better Way,” a government program that hires panhandlers to work on city beautification projects for $9 an hour. They’re also fed lunch and offered an overnight stay at a shelter.

The project has been a runaway success. The program has not only given out 932 jobs and cleared litter and weeds from 196 city blocks; it has also connected 100 homeless people to permanent employment, according to the Washington Post.

http://redalertpolitics.com/2016/08/12/r...MyFeGZS.99

(08-16-2016 11:21 AM)usmbacker Wrote:  



Opportunity to work, rather than a hand-out, works.

Quote:Homelessness is on the rise in most major cities, and while some Democrats are turning to big government solutions, a Republican mayor from New Mexico is teaming up with non-profits and actually fixing the problem.

Albuquerque’s Mayor Richard Berry saw a rise in panhandlers in his city and knew that something had to be done. Rather than trying to kick them out, or just building new government shelters, he gave them a chance to work.

In September 2015, Berry launched “There’s a Better Way,” a government program that hires panhandlers to work on city beautification projects for $9 an hour. They’re also fed lunch and offered an overnight stay at a shelter.

The project has been a runaway success. The program has not only given out 932 jobs and cleared litter and weeds from 196 city blocks; it has also connected 100 homeless people to permanent employment, according to the Washington Post.

http://redalertpolitics.com/2016/08/12/r...MyFeGZS.99

Imagine that a way to "work" it out.

The leftists don't want to help them. If they become self-sufficient then they aren't suckling at the government teat and voting dim to keep it flowing.

(08-16-2016 11:42 AM)Kaplony Wrote:  The leftists don't want to help them. If they become self-sufficient then they aren't suckling at the government teat and voting dim to keep it flowing.

Nailed it.

This is BADLY needed in Austin. There is an endless supply of homeless and grass/weeds/litter everywhere. But knowing our current leftist mayor, it'll never happen

I love this idea and I've also thought that people receiving welfare should be required to do a minimum amount of work like this to remain eligible each month. The city/state at least gets some benefit back in the form of beautification.

What a complicated solution

Any area that has a high number of food stamp / EBT recipients should also be the cleanest and nicest looking area around. Work in exchange for benefits should also apply to them.

The fact that they are having this much success with the people at the absolute bottom is incredible.

(08-16-2016 11:42 AM)Kaplony Wrote:  The leftists don't want to help them. If they become self-sufficient then they aren't suckling at the government teat and voting dim to keep it flowing.

Spot on.

Tweeted about this a few days ago. Good stuff. Of course the people here use it as an opportunity to attack people on the left based on their made up perception of what the left believes.

(08-16-2016 02:23 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Tweeted about this a few days ago. Good stuff. Of course the people here use it as an opportunity to attack people on the left based on their made up perception of what the left believes.

Not a made up perception at all. Note that this was a republican mayor who did this. I just wish republicans would do more stuff like that. The left mantra is clear--keep 'em dumb, keep 'em poor, keep 'em dependent on handouts, and you'll keep 'em voting democrat.

(08-16-2016 02:23 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Tweeted about this a few days ago. Good stuff. Of course the people here use it as an opportunity to attack people on the left based on their made up perception of what the left believes.

Since when is a statement of fact an attack?

(08-16-2016 02:30 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-16-2016 02:23 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Tweeted about this a few days ago. Good stuff. Of course the people here use it as an opportunity to attack people on the left based on their made up perception of what the left believes.

Not a made up perception at all. Note that this was a republican mayor who did this. I just wish republicans would do more stuff like that. The left mantra is clear--keep 'em dumb, keep 'em poor, keep 'em dependent on handouts, and you'll keep 'em voting democrat.

That's not the dem mantra and it's statements like this that make it impossible for people to have a rational discussion of the issues. I think that it's great that the republican mayor initiated that program. Things don't have to be left bad right good or right bad left good all the time. I frankly don't get the extremes of either side with their constant desire to demonize the other side.

That's no way to make permanent one party voters!

(08-16-2016 02:47 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(08-16-2016 02:30 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-16-2016 02:23 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Tweeted about this a few days ago. Good stuff. Of course the people here use it as an opportunity to attack people on the left based on their made up perception of what the left believes.

Not a made up perception at all. Note that this was a republican mayor who did this. I just wish republicans would do more stuff like that. The left mantra is clear--keep 'em dumb, keep 'em poor, keep 'em dependent on handouts, and you'll keep 'em voting democrat.

That's not the dem mantra and it's statements like this that make it impossible for people to have a rational discussion of the issues. I think that it's great that the republican mayor initiated that program. Things don't have to be left bad right good or right bad left good all the time. I frankly don't get the extremes of either side with their constant desire to demonize the other side.

maybe if you would practice what you preach...

(08-16-2016 02:47 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(08-16-2016 02:30 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-16-2016 02:23 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Tweeted about this a few days ago. Good stuff. Of course the people here use it as an opportunity to attack people on the left based on their made up perception of what the left believes.

Not a made up perception at all. Note that this was a republican mayor who did this. I just wish republicans would do more stuff like that. The left mantra is clear--keep 'em dumb, keep 'em poor, keep 'em dependent on handouts, and you'll keep 'em voting democrat.

That's not the dem mantra and it's statements like this that make it impossible for people to have a rational discussion of the issues. I think that it's great that the republican mayor initiated that program. Things don't have to be left bad right good or right bad left good all the time. I frankly don't get the extremes of either side with their constant desire to demonize the other side.

To be fair, I don't think any people who post here, even those who lean pretty far left, think that way. I think the rank and file of the democrat left are genuinely concerned about helping others and genuinely believe that handouts do more good than harm. But as for the leadership on the left--from Obama to Reid to Pelosi to Biden to Hillary to Bernie to Chuckie Schumer to you name it--I believe that keep 'em dumb, and so forth, is exactly what they believe and practice.

Additionally, I think republicans share the blame. Time for them to come up with better alternatives, not just complain about democrats. I've posted my own recommended approach on here.

Any system that perpetuates the welfare trap is intended to hurt the poor, not help them.

(08-16-2016 02:47 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(08-16-2016 02:30 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(08-16-2016 02:23 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  Tweeted about this a few days ago. Good stuff. Of course the people here use it as an opportunity to attack people on the left based on their made up perception of what the left believes.

Not a made up perception at all. Note that this was a republican mayor who did this. I just wish republicans would do more stuff like that. The left mantra is clear--keep 'em dumb, keep 'em poor, keep 'em dependent on handouts, and you'll keep 'em voting democrat.

That's not the dem mantra and it's statements like this that make it impossible for people to have a rational discussion of the issues. I think that it's great that the republican mayor initiated that program. Things don't have to be left bad right good or right bad left good all the time. I frankly don't get the extremes of either side with their constant desire to demonize the other side.

Horseshit.

When your leftist overlords like Nancy Pelosi say that putting people on welfare is one of the best ways to stimulate the economy, when your leftist representatives fight any semblance of workfare tooth and nail, and declare any attempts to revamp the broken entitlement system as an attack on the poor perhaps you are the one that isn't in-tune with the mantra of your chosen party.

[quote='usmbacker' pid='13476547' dateline='1471364511']




Opportunity to work, rather than a hand-out, works.


Only problem with that is, they may work for a day or two and "earn" their money...but another BIG piece of the program is getting them connected with agencies who help them with food, housing, and mental healthcare...AKA handouts, whoops