Simply disgusting

In a recent legislation by the Liberal Government of British Columbia, it has been deemed appropriate that panhandlers and squeegee kids can be fined or jailed, citing that the law has been drafted in order to increase safety and lessen the harassment that the public are faced with by those looking to gain a little bit of money.

While I will admit that there are some panhandlers that do pose a danger to the general public, it is not the majority of them that poses such a threat. Yes, some seek money to fund their habits, and others, sadly, are homeless and unable to make a living (a statistic that has been greatly increased through the narrow-minded Liberal limiting of the Human Resources system to 24 months out of every 60, regardless if an individual is actively seeking employment). Even more disturbing is the fact that this law also hits those that are out there trying to make a little bit of money through actual work by washing people’s windows or shining their shoes for the meager amounts that people offer them for such jobs.

Let’s face it. The reality behind this law does not stem from safety, loitering, or harassment. If you or I goes out to work every day, we make our money and pay our taxes, which the Government happily collects … but where does the Government collect their taxes on someone who can do no better than to earn $0.25 or less for washing someone’s windshield, or the one who dejectedly asks a passerby for a dollar to buy a cup of coffee that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford? A potentially more realistic view on this legislation is that the Government has arbitrarily set a levy in place to collect money from those that would otherwise be earning money that cannot be taxed.

By far, however, I think the most alarming portion of all the media that has encompassed this legislation is a comment I recently read in “The Province” section of http://www.canada.com from an unknown writer in a letter to the Editor:

“I suggest we don’t fine the panhandler, but we fine the person supporting the panhandler.”

Personally, when I read this statement, I was absolutely shocked and appalled. Those who give money to a panhandler or a squeegee kid do not do so because they are being forced to, but rather out of the goodness of their hearts, helping someone who needs, help, or rewarding a job well done.

Every single day of my life, I find myself face to proverbial face with phone calls, letters, emails, television commercials, and all other forms of requests for help. Each one of these holds the exact same merit as offering to buy someone a  cup of coffee when they’re living in rags in a cardboard box on the street, but somehow, people like this one seem to have the idea that one holds greater value than another. If we should fine the person who makes a heartfelt effort to help someone less fortunate, then should we not fine those who bought tickets to the benefit concert to help Tsunami victims, or those who send canned goods to the Food Bank or clothing to the Salvation Army? Where should the line on kindness be drawn … and why?

To any who think those on the streets have an easy life, I challenge them to take a week of their lives and live on a street … Do so with the knowledge that it’s only one week of your life, and that after the week is through, you can go back to how your life is daily, but do so with the knowledge that, while you can go back to your jobs, cars and normal lives, there are those around you that do not have that option, and do so to understand the difficulties and feelings of those you would tax, jail, or fine.

“he asks a man for what he can spare with shame in his eyes
‘Get a job you fucking slob’ is all he replies

– Everlast