Casting the First Stone

I was driving to a doctors appointment, when I noticed on the median, a man with a sign saying he's a vet and asking for money. I do have a soft spot for the homeless, and for vets. I remember once a man coming up to me and asking for some money to keep his family in a hotel for a night. I gave him the money I had, leaving me none for the rest of the week.

I didn't see a family, and I doubt he was really gonna rent a room for them. If I were to house my family by begging random people for change, I'd have them nearby to gesture to as incentive. I'd even have the lil' ones shed a tear and say, "thankew mister..." Just like Cindy Brady. But, I actually felt good about what I did.

And, for the grace of God, I could be me someday... If it bought him a few hours of peace, I felt good about that. And I secretly hoped his family existed.

But, here I am seeing a man on the road with this sign.

Wasn't there a time when there was a more salesmanship nature to these signs? I seems to recall people selling oranges. Or working for food. Or Even wiping your car window. If it were my window he was wiping, that's a hell of a job! I'd spring for a happy meal for him and a pack of Wrigglies.

Then some thought s when through my mind as I was at the offramp. Where do these transients find the great marker and nicely cut cardboard for these signs?! When I need a sharpie, I'll search for hours and all I can find are dried up ones. Even at work, and I work at an Office supply store, I'm hard pressed to find a working marker. But these signs are written in beautiful cursive clear to read fonts! And they always have a nicely cut and clean piece of corrugated cardboard too. Ever try ripping off a perfect square of cardboard? You'll get the shape of Nevada everytime, a cubeish shape with a corner missing. Markers of that quality are very hard to come by...

And the clothes. They never seem very old at all. The Jeans this one guy was wearing was better than mine, and he had a cooler jacket and scarf than I. And, you never see two beggars fighting over a sweet panhandling spot, like the stop on a freeway. I wonder if there is a secret heirachy.

But, I've given this some thought, and I think I've come up with an answer to most of theses issues. Giving money to the homeless and carving a nice nitch for them in society.

Ever see someone in a taco costume or holding a sign for a new real estate place on a street corner, waving? Wouldn't it be better if you hired the homeless to do this job? They're already on the street, they know all the sweet spots, and the taco costume will make them warm! I don't know about you, but I'd be more open about giving money to a waving smiling man than someone depressed, squatting on a median. Not only would they make some money just for being where they are, but tips, and tacos too.

They would have a sign with "Taco Time! Open Now! (tips are appreciated, thx!)". They would probably make more money an hour than I.

People just have to treat one another with some thought, that's all...