Letter to the Editor
Homeless issues
Published Thursday, April 17, 2008
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Stumble It!Homeless issues
April 14, 2008
To the editor:
Rep. Mike Kelly’s reported opposition (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, April 12, 2008) to Gov. Palin’s initiative to address homelessness represents another offering of his strange societal notions. He opposes her measure and a modified bill that emerged as the House acted following unanimous passage of the governor’s initiative in the Senate, according to the newspaper.
Kelly claims to know abuses of such programs, claiming that the targeted homeless are instead enjoying 50-inch TVs and Lexus vehicles in their driveways.
Where do his notions come from? Would a Republican governor who is making her record as a fiscal conservative and a social conservative buy into notions of wasting public money if there were such abuses?
Has Kelly reported to state agencies, including the governor’s office, where these abuses might be discovered?
I have noticed no 50-inch TVs on the backs of those wandering downtown Fairbanks or elsewhere in our community. I doubt that Kelly could point to any temporary residents of the Rescue Mission or the Women’s Shelter as owners of 50-inch TVs or expensive vehicles.
Rep. Kelly’s claims regarding the needy homeless are of the same type as his similarly outrageous notions that were reported in past news reports.
Recently, he apologized for his offensive remarks during deliberations about the important topic of legislation to address domestic violence and women in abusive relationships.
More than a year ago, his remarks in a Community Perspective displayed intense homophobia and utter ignorance about another segment of our community.
He displays too often a disturbing antagonism to the fundamental humanity of others for whom he has no regard. Rep. Kelly’s views are as outrageous, bigoted and hate-filled as they are unfounded.
We can only hope that he has no impact on these issues in Juneau.
It seems clear that his views do not hold sway with the governor since his latest remarks were made in opposition to her initiative to address a real societal problem by imaginative use of the mental health trust fund.
Community Discussion
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So, I take it that you are not going to vote for him when he comes up for reelection? Okay.
Mr. Eaglin doesn't sound like he's going to be on Mr. Kelly's Christmas card list, either. ~:) That's okay--he's now on mine!
Rockee, which one is are you adding to the list? Mr. Eaglin or Rep. Kelly?
Kelly sounds like the kind of politician that is willing to risk his political future by calling BS when he sees it. He's going to make some groups very mad at him and his career may be short. But i think we really need a lot more politicians like him.
I think Representative Kelly is also one of the members of the Alaskan Legislature that is adamantly opposed to the elimination of the Certificate of Need (CON) that allows the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital to maintain a virtual monopoly of health care services provided within the Interior of Alaska(and to charge the exorbitant fees that are double and triple the amounts charged by medical facilities in other communities in the lower 48). When it’s more economically advantageous to travel roundtrip to Anchorage, Seattle, or some other major metropolitan area of the United States in order to have a medical procedure done than it is to have it done locally here in Fairbanks, we need to take a look at removing the CON. Any politician that stands in the way of progress within the community needs to be “reconsidered” by his or her constituency.
Let's even concede to Mr. Kelley (not that I do) that some homeless people abuse the system to the extent of buying luxury televisions or cars. Does that mean that the system is so flawed that it ought to be scrapped?
Does the fact that private government contractors *sometimes* charge unreasonably high fees for some items mean that we should scrap the system of contracting some work out?
Does the fact that some elected representatives abuse their position by taking bribes mean that we ought to scrap the system of representative government?
No, Mr. Kelly. No, no, no. When you have come up with a flawless system for helping the homeless that cannot be exploited, we will all happily hear it. Until then, you are elected to do the best good you can for the most you can -- not to stand in the way of potentially abusable programs that will do society good.
there is a Habitat for Humanity house is near my house. The people look well-dressed. They drive 2 brand new cars, high quality. If my house was free, I would drive fancy cars and wear fancy mall clothes too. It just kind of makes me mad, so I get the jist of this letter. But it sounds like the guy likes to spout off without thinking things all the way thru?
Mike Kelly is much like his brother Pete. Remember him? When he was in the legislature, he made no end of stupid comments. Seems to be a genetic thing; runs in the family.
You know, people say Jaybird says dumb stuff, but compared to Mike Kelly, he looks like Einstein.
Thanks for this editorial. I'll make sure to add him to the list of people that I vote against! :)
No kidding. It's nice to get the low-down on the people involved in our legislature, especially when it's clear cut like this letter was. I admit I don't have much time to research each candidate, but at least now I know who not to vote back.
While there is likely a small minority of "homeless" people who actually have large illegal (and thus unreported) incomes; most homeless people are really poor. Of course they are not poor because of vast conspiracies by the rich to steal from them (this claim has always puzzled me, what do they have that is worthwhile for the rich to steal?) or any other such nonsense; they are poor usually because of a lack of discipline, personality skills, substance abuse, and/or mental illness. The ones I have been in contact with could be very nice and polite, or very angry and greedy, depending on their emotional swings.
I think Gov. Palin is pursuing a properly moderate path in terms of homeless policy. Doing nothing about the homeless can result in higher amounts of auto accidents, crime, and disease.
As long as they mediate how much these people are getting its a good thing. But if they are getting more than what people who actually go to work everyday and try to be productive citizens then that is bs. Give them min wage for a couple months and have them get a job, other wise we are wasting money. If they have mental/physical health problems or substance abuse issues then send to treatment, thats where they should be anyway. Keep them away from younger generations so that they don't learn bad habits.
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Governor Palin has shown great initiative in turning around, or jump starting stalled or failed programs. Her demeanor suggests that she has no personal or politically beneficial agenda. Refreshing.
She however comes up against issues that she may not be completely familiar with (from time to time) and has to analyze the data, and rely on the best information her adviser's can give her. Question is. Who are They? Part of the old regime.
I would think that in her mind the needy, need help. The abusers of the system need to be weeded out.
I do have concern over the pork barrel budget. Where is the old thought of saving for a rainy day. We've been there and done that.
I would personally hope that she doesn't get to mired down with outrageous political pressure that she loses her zest for doing the right thing. Good, bad, or indifferent. We need someone to just "make a decision".
Just a thought.
Apparently, you folks don't understand being homeless. Of course not, you have a home and computer. Many people (entire families)are one paycheck away from being homeless. Have you been to the shelter lately?
Get off your high horses and walk in the streets some night or early AM. And you people vote,...now that's scarey
Being homeless or poor is not a personality flaw, there are many honest, hardworking, "poor" people. Tragedies of many kinds could easily place any number of people in that position. There but for the grace of God go you and I.
kapor -
I agree with your statement 'being homeless or poor is not a personality flaw, there are many honest...'
however - I would like to add that, in addition to all the 'hard working' homeless - there are also many many more who are not in this category.
I would also argue that behind most every homeless person is a person who has not set very high standards for themselves, are addicted to drugs or alcohol, or are just plain lazy. Why - because they were abused by family and parents, etc etc etc....
I believe it all comes down to a breakdown in the family, the ease at which people get married and then divorced, and the poor children that get caught up in the mix...
Once again I will get on my soap box and say that most these issues would be resolved with proper parenting as a child is raised and strong family interaction throughout.
Most of these people are already living in the ghetto of their own mind, wondering why the world and everything else has let them down...instead of getting a job, or two, or three to make due - jobs are out there....why aren't these people filling them?
Curious, akguy,
Do believe that those who have married "the beasts among us" are at fault for doing so, and/or later getting out of the marriage?
Are there marriages that turn into nightmares....of course....but -
Percentage of all households run by single moms: 9.2%
Percentage of all households run by single dads: 1.9%
Percentage of children under 18 years of age living with both parents (2002): 69%
I really don't think that 31% of the children under the age of 18 living with one parent are all the result of those 'beasts among us' - I tend to think that it is more that people get bored...don't really think marrage is forever...and want something different.
Also - for something really scary
Fatherless homes account for 63% of youth suicides, 90% of homeless/runaway children, 85% of children with behavior problems, 71% of high school dropouts, 85% of youths in prison, well over 50% of teen mothers.
Do you really think the above is a coincidence - - also, I'll bet a dollar to a donut that similar statistics could be found for a large portion of our homeless...
Tell me this alone isn't reason for those among us to try to make it work instead of divorce...sadly - the culture is more about 'whats in it for me'. I have a friend who makes a median income but works as much overtime as possible to make things work ...for his wife and SEVEN children. If he can make the sacrifices to make it work---why can't others? Boy do I respect him and his wife....
all stats from
http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/sta...
Kind of reminds me of the old story about the ant and the grass hopper, with the politicly correct twist that we need to "help" the grass hopper. One of the thing I always liked about Fairbanks, come winter the "homeless" some how find a home.... "I;m from the government, and I am here to help you."
i was homeless for around 7 years in this town. there sure wasn't any kind of help when i was out there. certainly no one of us on the streets were getting lexus' to drive, let along a driveway to put 'em in. shoot, i couldn't even get license.
i can tell you the great majority of us out there on the streets were there primarily because of alcohol abuse. and it was alcohol more so than drugs. i think drug abusers were just naturally better at getting money. i don't know....
hey, the substance abusers don't need hand outs from the government. they are pretty much there because they choose to be so, although a few more treatment centers available wouldn't hurt. i couldn't drink and hold a job at the same time. i chose to drink. i got out of the lifestyle before it killed me. thanks to God. no human had the power to save me, especially myself. and if i hadn't, i would most certainly have been dead by now. instead i'm a gainfully employed productive member of society. unlike most of those other street folks i knew out there. they are dead. don't call homeless people lazy. i assure you that living a homeless lifestyle in fairbanks is more difficult than holding down an 8 hour a day job. i know, i've done both.
if you really want to help homeless people then focus on the underemployed single moms and her kids. but really.... i never did see many of those. occassionally you'd see them at the mission, sometimes even a single dad with kids there. but ordinarily, we homeless liked to avoid the rescue mission if at all possible. that place is pretty unpleasant (depending on the staff on duty) though i know they do their best. many of us would prefer to sleep outside in below zero weather than deal with that.
akguy-
I completely agree with you.
I was just wondering what I asked, that's all.
Nobody needs to convince me of the damage.
exchronic - interesting comments....
I'm glad you made it outta there....
I was a friend of Bill at one point in my life - as it seems you were also...
really puts life in perspective
peace, my friend
akguy-- you ask "why aren't they filing" the jobs available. just like exchronic said, most of the time it's because of substance abuse. it's a vicious circle when you look at it... beginning with crappy parents who are or aren't around, engaging in drugs/alochol. the kids aren't supervised, they want to "experiment" with the same things and no one's there to tell them no. before you know it they grow up to be the same crappy parents they were raised by. there's no way to completely end the problem of substance abuse, but i believe the best way to stop it is to reach out to those kids who show signs of trouble, especially at schools. if we, as the community, put more effort into showing we care, explain to kids how much they matter, there is a chance to curb the growing numbers linked to substance abuse and eventual homelessness. too bad it's not as easy as it sounds. i applaud those who do their part though, helping one person at a time...
I would first like to say, I respect all of your thoughts and opinions regarding the homeless in Fairbanks. However, I would like to add that most are not homeless because they are lazy. Yes, I know some do not want to change and you cannot change them. Mostly, the change will come from within them, through self-determination. However, with mental illness and substance abuse it is hard to think about self- determination because of the situation they are in.
However, for many homeless that walk the streets, it is not an option for them. Mental illness is a serious disease that we need to really think about. It was mentioned to "send them to treatment". First, lets start there, where are you going to send them? Not a lot of choices in Fairbanks to go......next who is going to pay for this?
Secondly, it was mentioned give them a job? They would like to have a job......go to Stone Soup Cafe soup kitchen and hire some for day labor, if you want them to work. Most there are ready willing and will do a wonderful job. Now lets talk about WHY they are not all working? I will go back to not all homeless want to be in that situation. Some have made bad choices in their lives and will have to live with it the rest of their lives. However, once you have gotten a felony on your record, finding a job is difficult that pays the wages you need to survive. Many homeless individuals have been through horrible childhoods and they have been beat down so bad they need support in getting a hand up, not a hand out. If you want to see change, be that person who helps make things happen. Visit your local soup kitchen, I have three years experience there trying to make a difference. In one visit you will see all the stereotypes we believe about homeless is not true. It is a sad promise, but I can promise you that you will see more elderly then "young folks". Many eat in soup kitchens because it has been a choice they have had to make. Do I buy food or do I pay for my medicines that I need to survive each day?
Third, not all families reach out to homeless relatives in the winter. Many will or have frozen to death when the weather dips down into the cold temperatures. Some homeless have no families to reach out to them either. My thoughts are if you want to see changes, advocate in a healthy way by writing to your representatives and asking for better mental health services, more funding, education and safety for individuals who choose to work in this field.
My last thoughts are if you want to see change, try to be the change that you want for your community. It can start one individual at a time, but as a group wow think on what you can do. In addition, when you think about changing someone; honestly ask yourself, how did he or she become that way? It might not always be the reason you think.
Hmmmm....
Once a person has a felony he has trouble getting a job - - -
untrue - I know and have hired a several that have a rec