By Mark Sanderson Santa Monica
Regarding Randy Walburger’s letter to the editor, “Give ‘em shelter,” (SMDP, April 25, page 4) he says “to all the homeless haters who feel comfortable living in a society that allows its poor to live and die on the street.” If I’m not mistaken, Santa Monica city’s budget last year spent over $2 million on the homeless situation, and they spend more every day. Who is allowing the poor to die on the streets? Any time a homeless person is lying injured or intoxicated on a street, the fire department and paramedics arrive and spend their time to take the person to the hospital. Who pays for that? The taxpayers of this city. I think he misunderstands the people he calls “haters” are actually Santa Monica residents who are tired of the 15-year homeless situation that affects the quality of life for everyone. We want solutions — not more money thrown at the problem. Yes, there are homeless that are mentally or physically disabled, but I have seen a vast majority as able-bodied people, some in full health, digging in the trash to recover bottles and cans to make their living. I wonder if a survey was taken, how many homeless actually lived in Santa Monica and became down on their luck for whatever reason, and now are on the streets of the town they once lived. I’ll bet the percentage would very low as most of the homeless are migrating here from other cities and states. Santa Monica is known world-wide as a haven for homeless and its many outreach programs. That’s why there’s so many in this city.
As for the working poor’s “paltry minimum wage,” isn’t the idea to gain marketable skills or education to get a better job and thus make more money and not be forever poor? You’d have a law passed forcing the city to pay $12 an hour to everyone working at any business regardless of skill. Think what you’d pay for your food or any retail item when the employees are making that kind of money. The business owner would surely pass that cost on to the consumer in higher prices. A nice subsidy for the working poor. When people stop looking to the government for handouts and to take care of all of their problems, and paying for all of their problems, we’ll be a better place. Personal responsibility, folks. It’s an easy formula. Get an education, stay off drugs, keep your focus and set goals, don’t start a family until you can afford to feed them, and you’ll go far.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 29, 2005. Read the original PDF.