Despite court rulings that soliciting money is protected as free speech, some cities and at least one state are considering new restrictions on panhandling in traffic medians, arguing it’s a safety hazard. Opponents, however, say that there’s no proof such restrictions protect pedestrians and that they infringe on free speech rights.
“People think homeless people are lazy, and they are not lazy. This is hard work.”
It probably is hard being out there in all sorts of weather. But it’s not a productive endeavor, it contributes nothing to society. I can also see it is dangerous and distracting to have people hanging out and moving around so close to traffic. Cars and pedestrians don’t mix well.
“Not a productive endeavor” could be a classification for thousands of businesses that exist and make money. That just seems like a weak justification for attacking a marginalized group.
Safety issues are a concern but for example in my city, firefighters often have a “fill the boot” fundraiser where they run around cars at stoplights trying to get people to put money into a boot that they’re carrying around. This is no different than pan handling, except one group is viewed more favorably than the other and safety doesn’t seem to be such an issue with the favored group.
There needs to be some useful and productive way for homeless to make money, ideally open schemes in which anyone regardless of status can participate without restrictive conditions and expectations.
It probably is hard being out there in all sorts of weather. But it’s not a productive endeavor, it contributes nothing to society. I can also see it is dangerous and distracting to have people hanging out and moving around so close to traffic. Cars and pedestrians don’t mix well.
“Not a productive endeavor” could be a classification for thousands of businesses that exist and make money. That just seems like a weak justification for attacking a marginalized group.
Safety issues are a concern but for example in my city, firefighters often have a “fill the boot” fundraiser where they run around cars at stoplights trying to get people to put money into a boot that they’re carrying around. This is no different than pan handling, except one group is viewed more favorably than the other and safety doesn’t seem to be such an issue with the favored group.
What is it that the homeless owe to society?
There needs to be some useful and productive way for homeless to make money, ideally open schemes in which anyone regardless of status can participate without restrictive conditions and expectations.
Damn right. What do they think they’re doing while I’m on the way to Hooters to drink a giant pitcher of beer?!
Cool, so it is commerce, then? Subject to laws and regulations?