F*** The Poor

[Shupe]

Oh ok, let's compare what happened during a bloody war to what's happening now, some 70+ years later.

 

[RU486]

I'm sorry, but the only scum in this country seems to be you.
He's got no job, no money, two kids to support and nowhere to go. This family is now homeless, sleeping in their car.

You're right - he must be scum.

Centrelink exists for a reason, if your homeless in Australia you have poor money management skills.

 

[Paul Kersey]

Centrelink exists for a reason, if your homeless in Australia you have poor money management skills.

Stating the obvious here. Poor money mgt, poor literacy skills, poor mental health, poor support network etc. It's not black and white. In saying so, for those of us who work in the Melbourne CBD, how'd I love to never see Mr 'sorry mannnn, have you got a dollar' ever again. **** him.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

I made the mistake of giving some change to the old bloke on James St in Northbridge a while back. He then followed me the length of the street asking for more, so I won't be throwing coins to beggars again. I have on a couple of occasions bought an extra Subway for someone on the street, I think that's a better idea.

 

[TW_Gangee]

I made the mistake of giving some change to the old bloke on James St in Northbridge a while back. He then followed me the length of the street asking for more, so I won't be throwing coins to beggars again. I have on a couple of occasions bought an extra Subway for someone on the street, I think that's a better idea.

Are you sure they won't follow you asking for some Ice cream afterwards?

 

[The Passenger]

Stating the obvious here. Poor money mgt, poor literacy skills, poor mental health, poor support network etc. It's not black and white. In saying so, for those of us who work in the Melbourne CBD, how'd I love to never see Mr 'sorry mannnn, have you got a dollar' ever again. **** him.

i have no doubt there is a fairly solid percentage who are faking it, but the legitimate poor and/or homeless person i'd also have no doubt they'd love to never say "sorry mannnnn, have you got a dollar" **** him too

 

[MiloStedman]

Centrelink exists for a reason, if your homeless in Australia you have poor money management skills.

Gotta love capitalism. Doesn't take prisoners or suffer fools.

God bless Australia.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Are you sure they won't follow you asking for some Ice cream afterwards?

Not yet! But they haven't been street beggars, they were guys who I'd seen sleeping in the alleyways near my work. They never asked for anything.

 

[Gough]

We're all guilty of ignoring the homeless. Whether it's me dropping my head a little and providing a perfunctionary "sorry mate" or it being ignored by the government because the photo ops aren't great and the focus groups don't care. It's a head in the ground issue.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Yeah this video is a crock. It's over simplifying a pretty complicated thing.

People are mostly pretty jaded when it comes to charities. There's plenty I have absolutely no time for: religion-affiliated ones who's religions completely pillaged and ruined the structures of the continent they're 'trying' to 'save,' charities who have questionable and suspicious money flow, charities with hugely paid CEOs, charities who give 50 cents from every one dollar to the Eurotrash shaking the tin... there's also the issue of a huge amount of charities essentially going after the same thing.

The only people I like giving money to are the old diggers raising funds for RSLs, children's charities, cancer research, and things in the community (some poor bloke had his good looks, youth, chance at an AFL career, and everything else that comes in life taken away from him in my town back home –– no issue with that). If this was the 1980s and someone rattled a Footscray tin I'd give them some money.

Otherwise it's alright to be cynical.

And it's rich that a bunch of Liberal voters probably feel something from this video.

I mean, I'm all for a welfare state and looking out for the people. I'm for free education and free healthcare and roads for arseholes to drive on and hospitals to look after the slobs who bring up their kid's on KFC. I'm genuinely for it and find the Scandinavian model endearing and relatively something of aspiration. I'm a middle class, country boy from WA who has a bit of money. But I am a first generation university student and someone who comes from one family who worked themselves stupid on Fremantle's port and in shearing sheds and another who worked in coalmines and picked turnips in England. I am working class. I am and am from a long line of staunch Labor voters. I should be the kind of person who falls for it.

But I don't.

I just think it's no better than Kony or anything else. Internet heroes.

I live in an area full of rich and hip lawyers and young professionals. And an area where those houses are two minutes from an estate full of refugees and smackies. I and my other pampered brethren kind of get bored of it. There's plenty of sorry souls. The ones I occasionally flip a goldy to are Aboriginals. Only because I feel completely guilty for being white and living in a land they own and ruining a culture so unique, cultivated, intelligent, and special. White guilt really.

 

[The Passenger]

...

and then you turned 20....

 

[Shupe]

I live in an area full of rich and hip lawyers and young professionals. And an area where those houses are two minutes from an estate full of refugees and smackies. I and my other pampered brethren kind of get bored of it. There's plenty of sorry souls. The ones I occasionally flip a goldy to are Aboriginals. Only because I feel completely guilty for being white and living in a land they own and ruining a culture so unique, cultivated, intelligent, and special. White guilt really.

Most of my work is done with Aboriginals and DV cases.

However because they are poor, they are scum. Apparently.

 

[TW_Gangee]

I just think it's no better than Kony or anything else. Internet heroes.

Exactly the impression I got after watching that crap. Do they hire first year Arts Majors to make these kinds of videos or something?

No one in their right mind would feel more obligated to give to the poor after watching that video.

 

[Sebastian Balboa]

**** you! The Poor rocks!

 

[kickazz]

It is interesting that the 'common wisdom' seems to be that the significant %age that charities spend on staff and marketing is abhorrent and that money should go to the truly needy.

Now there might be an imbalance in some cases, but it is such a short-sighted view. If a charity can achieve it's goals (such as an x reduction in people turned away from emergency accommodation, or y increase in meals given out, etc) more effectively by employing talented and motivated people and advertising then I can't see what the problem is really. The percentage is not what matters, it is the total amount that ends up with the needy that does.

 

[BALKAN]

I am working class.

 

[Holy Foley!]

 

[sisterka]

You want an example? Well I am directly involved in a drop in centre which provides a free breakfast every morning for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness. In the evenings, it is open for families to present and they receive a free dinner, shower and washing facilities, counselling and accommodation support. That is the most basic level of the service.

You are ignorant if you think there is nothing provided. This extends to other departments which actually house and case manage individuals and/or families for a period of time, helping them to maintain family structure, get the children in school and, ultimately find a job. By the time they leave the program, a private rental is a realistic and affordable option.

But please, do go on about your theory that the money goes nowhere and how employees are living extravagant lifestyles. I know I am not.

You are right. My experience was with the Salvo's many years ago when I was unemployed and was a good one. A flatmate had buggered off just before xmas when all the usual bills, plus rent, arrived and needed paying and we had nothing. We had a meeting with local citizens advice through the council. They directed us to the Salvo's in Melbourne city.
We took train in not expecting much. We told them our sad story and showed them our proof, thinking they would give us the flick. Long story short, they gave us some shop vouchers, a long life xmas dinner and some trust and respect. Salvo's had our address and surprisingly came to our flat with gifts and food the xmas after. We had jobs by then and told them so. No matter, merry xmas they said. These were the nicest most unjudgemental religious people I have ever met. That was 30 years ago, we are doing ok now. Since then, I always contribute as much as I can to the Salvo's and Opshops as you never know what is around the corner.

 

[Perth gal]

Salvos are a good mob.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

If you hate the poor just vote Liberal.

 

[Scotland]

Classic Bomberboyokay.

 

[JW Frogen]

Well having been working class my entire life I wish the poor would get off their asses and the rich stop complaining about taxes.