Reply to Panhandlers in DC who look like random, able-bodied late 20s aged men

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Reply to "Panhandlers in DC who look like random, able-bodied late 20s aged men - is this a thing now?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]A few nights ago I was walking home at night and a man stepped out from the shadows by a Tenleytown fast food joint and asked for money. What struck me was he looked able-bodied, well spoken, dressed for the weather, good jacket, boots. Basically a presentably fit young man I wouldn't normally look twice at. I walked right on by - no way I stop and engage -and then I thought--the guy is literally standing next to a place where he could put in a job application. Instead, he's asking me who works, for my money. I mean, WHY IS HE PANHANDLING? And then I thought, OK, maybe he's adjudicated and has had trouble getting a job, though I know there have been massive changes in recent years about the legality of asking for criminal history on job applications (curious where DC is on this). So then IF he is adjudicated and that's why he's devoting his health, intelligence and skills to something so basic and awful- I questioned the quality of DC city services of putting released prisoners (we seem to have oh so many on early release) to gainful skills rather than alternative economy. Lots of questions! It reminded me a lot of the 90s when doorways seemed to be full of these guys with a semi-belligerent hand out. Haven't seen this in a while though. It was a really bad throwback and I'm hoping a one-of. But I'm doubtful given all the other trends.
Insights? What is happening?[/quote]

And what do you think working at said fast food establishment would afford this man?  A nice two bedroom apartment in a safe neighborhood in DC?  Enough groceries to last a week? A vacation here or there? Eventual home ownership? Nope. A job no longer gives a certain demographic especially in this generation, a sense of pride and purpose because they still CANNOT AFFORD ANYTHING. A job likely affords YOU these things but not the people you are seeing on the street.  I don't have a solution but know that this problem is not going to be solved  by complaining on this website.  [/quote]

You're joking... right? I started out single parent working poor and now take nice vacations. Are you serious about the above? It's like farce .[/quote]

I mean NOW in 2024.  Do you think making minimum wage in DC you could afford what I’ve listed above?  You can’t be serious. [/quote]

[b]You build towards it.[/b] You start out with roomates and that kind of thing. Is this a millenial thing--expecting to skip the building part? Even minimum wage has gone up since I started out.[/quote]

Okay, you must be like, 85.  I'm almost 50 with several advanced degrees and I feel for anyone under 30.  You will likely NEVER be able to save for a downpayment on a house in a good neighborhood with decent schools.  If having roommates until you are 45 works for you, then, yes, maybe.  Do that until then and you MIGHT be able to afford a one bedroom condo in an okay neighborhood.  You are old and delusional.[/quote]

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