By Lori Emerson
In response to Charles Springer’s article and misunderstanding of the homeless issue, and a comment to Maria Rodriquez’s letter (SMDP, Dec. 1, page 4).
First of all, the homeless are not invisible. They are all over the parks, the Promenade, the doorways of shops, in my yard, in the middle of Wilshire Boulevard, in the alleys and everywhere in Santa Monica. They harass me and my family at the doors of Wild Oats, Polly’s Pies, Starbucks and while I shop at the Third Street Promenade and have gone so far as to pull a knife on my husband at 6 a.m., while he walks our dog, threatening to “cut your (my) puppy.”
As for voting rights, why should the homeless be able to vote, considering their only interest in our city is the availability of free services and handouts, at the expense of the rest of us, with zero contribution in return?
With regards to the homeless applying for jobs, aren’t most of the big construction jobs in the area union? Aren’t we for the unions? That’s why I’m not supposed to shop at Vons, right? That’s why I was supposed to support the living-wage measure, right? And, why would I want some crusty, drunk, drugged-out possible rapist or murderer working on my property?
As to the “competition” from illegal immigrants for jobs, let’s see. These “immigrants” have homes, they appear to bathe, have relatively clean clothes on, and STAND up, rather than sleeping anywhere they fall down. These immigrants often have many persons living under one roof, but they PAY for their own roof, and often send money to support relatives and family members in their native countries, showing not only responsibility for themselves, but for others.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 3, 2003. Read the original PDF.