Submitted by tony, Nov 5, 2007 05:57

i used to be homeless. i never once smoked, drank, or used drugs. there was just not any cheap housing i can afford in the bigger cities, especially CA area. and yes i panhandled at times, and i never once misused the money. in fact a guy once who took me to a grocery store said i was making such wise food choices he gave me an extra $5 in cash because he said he trusted me to spend it wisely. the money i received at times panhandling enabled me to wash my clothes, buy a prepaid cell phone, bus passes, etc, all of which enabled me to look for jobs which helped get me OFF the streets. as a Christian, the Bible commands us to help the less fortunate. somehow i cannot picture Jesus driving by and yelling ""GO TO XXXXING MCDONALDS"" like so many people do who believe the way michael medved believes. if people really wanna end homeless they should work hard to make $50-100 a week cheap rooming houses made available in SAFE AREAS of bigger cities. many times when i had little money i would ride the city bus to a rich suburb, and hide out and sleep at nite behind a church where id feel safe.and the few times someone drove up to me when i was holding a sign asking for work--although i know a lot of people wouldnt--when i was offered WORK i TOOK IT, if i was at all physically able to do it. im now living in a little town in KS and getting SSI and my rents only $177 a month here all utilities paid, so i doubt ill ever be homeless again, also i get money from winning low stakes poker over the internet, usually between $100-250 a month and now the govt wants to put a stop to it.

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