By Marilyn Brennan Santa Monica
Regarding Sunny Collins’ letter “No more room for bleeding hearts” (SMDP, March 23, page 4), the feeding of the “homeless” in Pacific Palisades Park, the City Hall lawn, etc., was well taken. The feeding is done by people who do not reside in this area. They should feed them in their own backyards and park. Why don’t they? Duh.
Also, the article about the clearing out of a homeless encampment “Freeway sweep nets 12 arrests,” (SMDP, March 22, page 1) says it all. Found were the crack pipes, the cases of alcohol, etc. If they would rather feed their addictions than use their money for rent and food, so be it. And since they are not employed, how are they feeding their habits?
I’ve said it again and again — any program for the transients should require sobriety as part of the help given. AA is free, folks. Anyone can change if they want to, but why should they want to? As long as we provide millions to enable their addictions, we are all the losers.
By the way, you can call me a bleeding heart liberal who’s not one but on the conservative side. But as one, I totally agree with Sunny.
And P.S. the true homeless — the ones who have lost a job being outsourced and lost their ability to pay rent, and the families escaping abusive situations — should be helped all they can to get back on their feet.
We all need a helping hand, but I do not wish to enable alcoholics and drug addicts when help is free for the asking.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 6, 2006. Read the original PDF.