Very interesting, this is like talking about

bringing back the mandatory military draft as"public service".

Some people that work and can pay off debt seem

to be bitter of their own lot.

Humans come in different packages and different instructions .

Some folks who dance to a different drum

I guess we should kill them or label them as in India

"UNTOUCHABLES".

If in your case work is your own living hell and therefore allows you

to condemn another human being for

being different or a "bum" you fit right in to

the "slave" mentality that wealthy Kings and

governments delighted in.

Live and let live these people are not coming

through your kitchen window for your food or

knocking down your doorman for entry.

I'm a knitter - I make wool hats for my friend who volunteers for homeless outreach at her church to distribute to "the guys." I'd rather give my money to animal shelters!

Care and feeding of bums is not the work of charity, it's the work of governments. If you don't like the way they perform, take it up with them. All your quarters buy are the little extras like cigarettes and booze or drugs. I don't care if they ever smoke or drink again, and they can't have my dope!

i never give bums money.

but i was going to a party friday night after midnight when a guy with legs cut off at the knees in a wheelchair came by, pushed by a dude wearing an eyepatch.

how could i not give these two some change.

I never give out money. I give out food. Really, whenever I have snacks in my backback, I give them something to eat. Isn't that what they really need?

Also, I can tell when they are just a scam artist, because I hand them an apple and they just look dissapointed like "gee...thanks I was actually hoping to drink...".

I'm bothered by those guys yelling to give money. I'll give money when and to whom I choose. They should spend that time getting work.

Wow, what a bunch of cynics. Imagine if you had to sleep in the freezing cold sidewalk tonight.

That's unfair. We all give to private charity. But don't forget the massive amounts we give to public charity through our income taxes, user fees, other taxes, and the amount we sacrifice through inflation.

Americans transfer their wealth to the poor--and rich--in huge amounts.

WHY DONT THE NYPD CRACK DOWN ON THIS!!!! isnt it illegal to setup a table? they all dont have licenses (I'm sure they're just photocopied!!!)

Hey if you want the ringleaders... head to unionsquare in front of B&N bookstore at 9-10am every weekend... thats where they handout the tables and give a crowd of pan handlers speeches about how this is for your family!!!!

it should be a CRIME!!!! and it hurts other NFPs that do work for the homeless cause normal people would just say I just gave a dollar/or five/ hell even that quarter would have helped!!!!

Yes people, if you give money out of the streets you're bound to get scammed once in a while, you're also bound to help a person down on their luck once in a while.

I think it's important to keep things in perspective: we're talking about spare change!! We're talking about 50 cents or a few dollars. So what if you're scammed once in a while?? Is your ego really that fragile that you get angry over spare change? Seriously, get a life. If you want someone to get angry at, take a look at Dick Cheney and no bid contracts and the theft BILLIONS of our tax payer dollars.

We're talking about dimes and quarters. Get a life and get a heart.

There used to be a man who walked through the subway cars passing out sandwiches. He said he was from UHO. I had thought that at one time the organization actually did some good.

robingee,

I am with you. It's easy to be a selfish and cold-hearted cynic. It virtually effortless for most of these people. Oh, plus it makes you a "real New Yorker."

If you've ever been duped into putting money into their tubs and now you feel fooled, it's because you are a fool. Did you think your random quarter given out this way would really change lives? Work with recognized organizations. Don't give money out on the street or in the subway to buy yourself a moment of guilt-evasion whilst you buy your holiday presents.

I'm appalled. Everyone knows charity money doesn't do any good unless it's first filtered through old white people who go to galas.

Several years ago, there was a woman in my building who would dress up in rags, go to a busy corner on 86th Street in Bensonhurst with a cup and beg. She would make anywhere from $100 to $200 in a couple of hours. Why? Because she couldn't stand to work for anybody. She got her rent, utilities and food paid for.

Wow, what a bunch of cynics. Imagine if you had to sleep in the freezing cold sidewalk tonight.

What about that Jonathan Saleem guy with the voice like a foghorn who canvasses for UHO on the downtown 4/5 at about 8pm? I think I just about have his sales pitch and inflections memorized.

Just because it's a hustle doesn't mean the hustler doesn't need the money. Hustling is a way of life and an integral part of the shady economy of the urban poor. Read some Sudhir Venkatesh.

If you give to charity, only a fraction of the money given actually goes to the homeless, but if I give the homeless money directly, they keep 100% of the proceeds, of which they can spend on items to make their lives more tolerable, such as McDonalds & cheap scotch.

On that note, I never give the homeless any money. I'll only give to subway performers who have considerable talent in music or acrobatic skills. If you want my money, your going to have to earn it.

I busted my ass at school and college to be able to work and have a living, so I NEVER give anything to anybody. And don't give me the "Oh, but they didn't have the chance" bullshit. My family had it's ups and downs also.

Most of them are just lazy "bums", they're all just con artists.

Real NYers would no sooner put money in the jug than they would play find the queen or buy a watch from someone on the street.