Rewards for those who are good citizens
Re: “Bashing the homeless solves nothing,” letter, Jan. 6.
The author is quite right when she describes the weird, imaginary alchemy of transformation from sentient individual into a drug-addicted, dumb, lazy, non-person when (s)he becomes homeless. It is a notional hump that those of us who are somewhat comfortable (for now) must get over.
However, that is where the sympathy ends.
People must understand that in order to live in this world (or any other one they may dream up), you must work to earn your keep.
Very simply put, if you don’t work, you don’t eat. (Exceptions abound, but I am not addressing the exceptions.)
When you work for someone, you are paid money; the amount of money is usually in proportion to what your labour is worth to the employer. One uses that money to purchase shelter, food, and the other necessities of life, in a scale proper to that income.
If one’s income is small, one lives in a basement apartment with a roommate in Langford or Sooke. One does not expect sole occupancy of a one bedroom in Fairfield. When income is insufficient to meet one’s needs, one needs to earn more money, usually at a cost of extra time spent on the job.
The system, with a few exceptions, does not reward the “greedy and the predatory,” it rewards those who do their work well, have planned, behave responsibly, and are good citizens.
That is simplistic, but it reflects the realities of life. Simply wishing it weren’t so does not change that reality.
Harsh words to write; harsher to read. But ultimately, true.
David Hansen
Victoria
https://www.timescol...escuers-6382118
Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 January 2023 - 03:26 PM.