Its true that they depend on people’s compassion, but they equally depend upon people’s ignorance. They want you to think that they are just victims of circumstance and that, but for the grace of God, you could be standing there with a cardboard sign too. The truth, however, is much more complex.

Yes, you might find the rare, pitiful exception to this, but overwhelmingly, these people are not “down on their luck.” They choose this lifestyle. And for a lazy person with no desire to improve himself, its a pretty fun way to live. They know where the shelters are, but shelters have too many rules. They dont want to confine themselves to a shelter where they can’t drink, smoke, and have sex whenever and wherever they want. At the shelter they cant stumble in and out at all hours of the night, and they have to walk all the way to the restroom to urinate. They are much too free spirited for that, and many will readily, even proudly, admit this when asked about it.

They much prefer to pitch a tent in the woods and have a grand party with their fellow “homeless” compatriots. I have been to many of these homeless camps. They are a little government unto themselves. When its warm they will sit in camp chairs, listen to the radio, read magazines, and drink beer. When it gets cold, they sit around campfires or propane heaters and drink beer. If its really cold they often wear insulated hunting clothing and, of course, drink beer.

Many people reading this enjoy going camping and living like this a couple of weekends a year. Vagrants emjoy it too. They simply choose to live that way all the time, and they dont have to pack up and go back to work on Monday. They have no aspirations beyond the immediate pleasures found in alcohol, drugs, and the numerous prostitutes who regularly go from tent to tent plying their trade. (yes, that stinky man on the corner might get laid more than you do, and he spends a lot less money than you do in pursuit of the “girl of his dreams”)

They can suport this lifestyle, including the simple luxuries because if they have a “good” corner, they can easily take in a couple of HUNDRED tax free dollars or more in a single day’s time. How do you get a “good” corner. Just like in your job, you work your way up the “corporate” ladder. The guy you see in the same place every day is there because he has been assigned that corner based on his position within the vagrant community. There is a defined heirarchy among vagrants. The new guy gets the less productive corners. The “established” bums get the more lucrative spots. If someone causes problems, or worse, cause the police to have to visit the camp, they risk being either demoted or even banished from the community. Its really quite organized.

They sometimes travel from one town to another based on the season of the year, the level of tolerance they receive from the legitimate community, and how generous (ignorant) the local population is. Last year I found a dead homeless guy who had a plane ticket in his pocket from a trip he took 3 days earlier. No, Airline travel is not typical among homeless people, but I just thought you’d find it interesting.

There are organizations that will help these people by requiring them to make a committment to enter programs. They get treatment for any medical conditions they have classes and counselling for any other issues. But while in these programs they cant drink and party like they used to. For most, that is too much to pay to become respectable again. If they have the will power make it through they are able to rejoin society and start making contributions. These programs are more deserving of your money then the guy on the street.

You dont help the situation by giving money to the guy with a cardboard sign. Giving money to “homeless” people is like trying to abate the stray cat problem by setting out bowls of tunafish.