Outside of my old church, there are typically one or two people who are asking for money. Some of these individuals are elderly and have obviously fallen upon hard times. However, a few are young (ish), able-bodied persons who could feasibly get a job. Half of these people are dressed in clothes that look like they cost more than mine. So, why are people begging?
You may argue that they have hidden medical problems. Okay, fine. My mother died at the age of 47 from complications from juvenile diabetes, after working since the age of eighteen until the day that her renal failure prevented her from getting out of bed. She was born in a small town in Italy, the daughter of a milkman and his wife, neither of whom were well-educated. After immigrating moving to the United States, she learned to speak five languages and earned two Master’s Degrees. At the time of her death, she was working on her doctorate at Yale.
So, don’t tell me that you can’t get a job. I’ve walked into department stores to buy a blouse and left with a job offer. There are signs all over McDonald’s, Wal-mart, etc. reading that positions are available. That’s not good enough for you? Guess what: beggars can’t be choosers. Don’t have a car? Move to a small city; take the bus or walk. The beautiful thing about this country is this: anyone, no matter who they are or how much education they have, can become employed and crank out a decent living. So don't ask me to give you a penny of the money that I have worked for if you do not also work for yourself or for your family.
You didn't tell though if you normally give those beggars money.
These people were never taught to be responsible spenders. Since many (not all) of these people grew up poor obviously they never had someone with money to teach them how to responsibly use it (ie were never rich enough to have an allowance, family was on welfare, parents did the same thing they do now.) It's a huge snowball that just keeps going and the reason they probably have more expensive clothes than you is because they still spend money like a two year old. The minute they get it they spend it (blow it off) because they were never taught different.
I dont think jobs are that easy to get. I've been trying for nearly two years to get a job. I have applied to over 30 some of them twice. I'm 17 a straight A student and have no physical or mental problems. It's not as simple as you are making it seem at least not for everyone.
I'm sad to say it, but a lot of people 'become' beggars because they get more money by begging than they could at some minimum-wage job. Those people are just lazy. You CAN get a job. Even if its stacking cans at a gas station, it's better than begging. However, a lot of people in this world choose to give the 'helpless' persona so that other people (like people in the government) will take care of them and give them a crutch their whole life. It's one thing if you have a disability, but another if you're just not willing to work.
But McDonalds and Walmart cannot support people that have families. Sure it helps but It will not keep everyone living for too long. Many people that have families are trying to find something that can help them support their families with benefits.
People should not start families until they can afford to support them. That used to be a commonly understood thing and an accepted matter of personal responsibility.