Yes i am aware of that percentage. The thing you must realize is there is help for these homeless individuals. In the small town i live in (population around 100000) there is three homeless shelters. These shelters have the resources to put these people in contact with councilors if they need help with mental issues. Believe me there is no reason for any homeless person to go hungry on Thanksgiving there is thousands of soup kitchens and such around the country to feed these people. I do feel sorry for homeless people but there are many of them that choose to live this type of lifestyle. I have known several personally and they seem very content traveling around the country with their tents and sleeping bags panhandling money for a living. I honestly believe some of these guys make more money panhandling then a lot of folks do working.

What irks my ass about our government is they send millions of dollars in aid to other countries to feed starving people but yet we have thousands of them right here in our own country. But bottom line many of these people are just to lazy to work and choose to be homeless,quite sad really.

Gizzie is right. In my town there are several shelters that offer meals and a place to stay. Throughout the year people donate resources and time to support the place particularly during the holidays.

Are you saying that I should go downtown and pick up some total stranger and invite him into my home? NO WAY!

However, if there were someone in my neighborhood that I at least knew as a neighbor that I knew was having a tough time or was alone on the holiday, I would have no problem inviting them to my home and my table.

Hopefully they would at least be somewhat clean and respectful!

Also although most homeless shelters get government subsidies to help with operating costs,most of the food comes from the private sector. I know in our area they do food drives mostly conducted by the LDS religion and the Boy Scouts of America. My point is the government could do a helluva lot more then what they do.

I can think of an idea that would solve problems and make EVERYONE happy: EAT THE HOMELESS.

Doesnt matter if they're vets or not. Homeless are just normal people, just like the ones who use this site, they just slipped through the net. Its worth remembering that with a bit of bad luck it could happen to you to. So help them out!

who did u invite in?

Thanks gizzie for a prety comprehensive answer. My concern isn't with the 75% who may or may not chose to be homeless, I worry for the 25% who have served their country, become traumatised because of their service and find little or no help from the very people who sent them to where ever. There are some very real issues they have to contend with and with the correct help, these people could become useful citizens again. They need medical help as much as anything and a good bit of understanding from the rest of the populus.
So next time you see a homeless person, please think about that. He may be one of those who has been through hell and high water to make your country safe from terrorists only to be virtually abbandoned upon return home. THAT is very sad and deserves your consideration.

It is the stupidest thing I have ever read. Fuck the homless...

i like da bums....mmmmmmmm

I hope one day, you are amongst them and find that is the attitude of all who pass you by! It just about sums up EXACTLY why I have missgivings about you. You have no empathy and are a two faced bi sexual who is ashamed and cannot be honest about it. One day you will get whats coming to you and you are in for a shock.

I'm astounded at all of the the ppl on here who could give a shit less for ppl who have given their lives such as veterans( FOR WHAT) us!! Do any of you realize, or even care that after these ppl return from the war they are lucky to have homes to return to. If you really consider the things these ppl had to endure, and our Government lends no help. There are alot of ppl with mental problems. Our government chooses to look the other way. They, for some reason have to live in shame? We should be lucky every day for what we have.
There are ppl out there who panhandle. I guess we need to be intelligent to know what's best!

After my divorce became final about four years ago, I went through a very tense period during which all I could think about was money, or the lack thereof. I honestly did consider the possibility of just chucking everything and living out of my car. I had a job, but my bills were staggering and I had credit card companies hounding me on weekends -- it was a nightmare. Some of this was due to poor planning on my part; some of it was due to a downturn in better jobs in my field and a rise in the cost in housing in the neighborhood where my kids were attending school.

At any rate, I began to seriously consider what it would be like to be homeless, and my eyes were opened to the struggles of those who find themselves in this difficult situation. Fortunately, I did not have to lose my apartment and although I'm far from well off, I'm able to pay my bills and feed myself and my family without difficulty now. But I do think back on those days, and I try to open my heart to the homeless and others in need as I can, when the spirit moves me. It's a bit of a judgment call, and I don't give to anybody who looks obviously clean/well fed, or who tells me some kind of ridiculous sounding yarn. And sure, I may be just giving a drunk enough cash for a bottle of cheap wine sometimes. But if he's truly addicted to alcohol, frankly, he probably needs it as the DTs can actually kill you, especially in inclement weather.

I dont invite homeless strangers into my home... I also do not give them money. Sorry, That is not what thanksgiving is about. That's risking your life and possesions. Should I be ashamed??? maybe.
Also, a lot of homeless 'veterans' buy their coats at a goodwill, and use this to scam money from people.
I choose to help the homeless in other ways. Like I go to a shelter for under 18 year olds, and tell them using hard drugs is idiotic. And that all sex should be protected. The weird thing is... they listen for the most part.
I dont believe in giving the homeless things, it encourages their lazy behavior. Unless they are handicapped, but then should be in a home.
But teaching them is different.
And how can someone from europe tell americans what our thanksgiving is about. Its about family eating a lot of food, then slaughtering the indians that helped us ...after we get the food..... not the homeless