Some of them anyway. First take a look at this article posted on msnbc.com. Then come back.
It’s a familiar story for me because, in Hawaii, the subject of homelessness is constantly on the news. Homeless living on parks. Homeless living on beaches. Homeless living under freeways.
“Bustamante admits he has done drugs in the past and ended up on the beach with his wife and nine kids after losing his rented house and job.”
For the most part, I support my tax dollars going to help and feed these families, but what I do not support is when these people have families of NINE kids.
I know, I know…how can I decide what type of limits to put on a family? I can’t. That’s for each individual family to decide, but knowing that I probably can’t support a few kids completely makes me stop and think about, uhhh, maybe something called BIRTH CONTROL. Wouldn’t it make you think about it?
And about his past…I’m glad he’s doing better there. I respect that. But the kids. I just can’t understand.
I feel really bad…for their kids. Their parents? A little, but not so much. I mean come on. They are adults. NINE kids? NINE! I don’t accept the “I came from a bad place” excuse, because that’s baloney. People have choices throughout their lives, and in certain circumstances, some are harder to make, but they are there. And not knowing the consequences? BS again. There’s no way they could not have realized after their third, second, or even FIRST child that it takes time and money to raise kids. I’m all for supporting and helping, but not for accepting excuses.
I just don’t know what to think. The article goes on to say:
“The camps along the Waianae coastline look like a Third World village. A basketball hoop hangs from the side of a tree, and grills substitute for ovens. Children ride their secondhand bicycles through an obstacle course of benches and old trucks. The youngest children wear life vests instead of shirts so they can safely play in the water.”
Again, don’t get me wrong, I sympathize with many of them. Especially those that are homeless for reasons beyond their control. I do wish there was a way to help them recover…I just think in Hawaii, it’s different. It’s harder. Many of these homeless folks WANT to be homeless, and that is the problem. I mean who could argue…the weather is livable all year round. You can fish and hunt for your own food. Fresh water/showers available at most beaches. The MSNBC article is titled, “Homeless in paradise.” But homeless with NINE kids? Another group of people I don’t really respect are folks on welfare that can work but don’t, but I’ll save that topic for another day.
I’m not sure it can be fixed. What are your thoughts on this? In one way or another, your tax dollars are going to supporting homeless programs in your area. Yeah, sorry the title is a little harsh…I just wanted something catchy.
Kira
September 12, 2006 at 6:11 am
The thing that really pissed me off was not that he has nine kids but that he did drugs and lost his job and couldn’t support them. When you have kids you have to put them ahead of everything else, including drugs.
It does seem like the homeless in Hawaii are a little stuck – if they can’t get a job there, or can’t afford to live there, you can’t exactly hitch a plane into another state…
Single Ma
September 12, 2006 at 6:43 am
“Another group of people I don’t really respect are folks on welfare that can work but don’t, but I’ll save that topic for another day.”
I’d be interested in hearing your take on this.
freedumb
September 12, 2006 at 6:47 am
Kira, It’s definitely not as easy for them to move from Hawaii, but I don’t think most of them would want to anyway…
BTW, I’ve actually heard conspiracy rumors that the continental states actually pay for homeless to fly to Hawaii.
freedumb
September 12, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Single Ma, I’ll try to follow up soon with something on welfare. There’s a lot I left out in that statement.
D
September 12, 2006 at 3:33 pm
I am not an advocate of our welfare system for 1 very big reason. When I was alone with my 3 kids, no child support, and no good job prospects, I did work. I couldn’t get help. They told me “You Make TOO MUCH MONEY.” We couldn’t live. The rep on the phone told me I could get help “if you quit working”.
I would not EVER go on welfare when I can work. I just wanted health care for my kids, maybe a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread.
Then I run across other mothers at the same time. Sitting on their keisters, getting a monthly check, free healthcare for them and their kids, Food Stamps. Over all they were bring in more than me. And each and every time, they had another source of income that they hid from the system.
This Pi$$ed me off. But I made it – And I never lied or looked for charity to take care of my family. I DID IT! I owe NO ONE.
I do know that there are people who truly need this care and are legit, but from what I see there is more that are abusing the system by %.
Looking at the homeless, I have mixed feelings here. I just don’t understand how you get there. I worked my butt off to save my house and keep a roof over our heads. The house was always the 1st payment. If it didn’t get paid nothing did. I would work around the clock to insure that my family was housed, even if that house was just a trailer. So, I don’t think I can ever relate enough to understand HOW they get here.
Financial Freedumb and Brownie - A PF Blog » Could You Live On Welfare?
October 5, 2006 at 6:57 am
[...] This whole post came about because I posted awhile back on a family that’s homeless living with 9 kids. SingleMa mentioned that she was interested in my thoughts on welfare. Someone interested in my thoughts?!? How can I pass up an opportunity like that. It doesn’t happen very often in real life… [...]
Wil from Hawaii
October 22, 2006 at 1:04 am
Screw some of the homeless people? Kind of harsh. If you were in the same situation, could I say screw you too? Maybe? I know this family. 12 kids total. I know this as a fact. Some of the extended family members have actually been kind enough to take these other children into their homes. I do agree with you on your point about birth control. But this was a decision that this couple made. Don’t judge them.
I take it that you’re not from Hawaii. Try buying a house here on a fixed income. Try renting…when it averages $500-$700/month for a studio! Hawaii may have the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, but when it comes to jobs here, can you really support a large family on a job that pays minimum wage? The kids have clothes on their back, and they attend school.
The situation can be fixed, and the current state government is taking huge steps to deal with the situation, instead of just talking about it. The problem won’t go away in my opinion, if the government does not step in. If we, as private citizens see the situation, yet do nothing about it, and just complain about it, then who is going to take care of it?
Regarding your conspiracy rumor…yes, homeless shelters in the continental US have actually bought one way tickets to Honolulu for homeless people so they don’t freeze to death in the streets. There are a few articles on the net if you are interested.
freedumb
October 22, 2006 at 11:35 pm
Wil, first off thanks for your comment. I’m going to retort, but I’m not attacking you in anyway, so don’t take it personally.
Screw homeless people was just a title. That’s it. And yes, you can say whatever you want.
First off, children don’t just happen. It takes at least two consentual adults to engage in sex. WARNING: Sex can lead to pregnancy (even with birth control).
If that’s the case, then someone who is not financially ready to handle the RESPONSIBILITY of being a parent should not have kids. To me, being homeless and having kids is NOT responsible. Thus, in my opinion, these adults made the wrong decision.
We, as in most responsible taxing paying citizens, foot the bill for these people’s wrong decision, and that’s not right. Sure, hardships happen, and that’s what the welfare system is there for, but NOT to support a lifestyle that includes procreating beyond your means….hmmm…
I’ll ask you, should someone have a large family with a minimum wage job? Is clothes and food really consider enough? How about medical? Something is wrong there right? That is if you’re really thinking about the child…
As far as judging goes, well…that’s a tough topic.
Wil
November 2, 2006 at 12:18 am
Thanks for taking the time to publish a retort to my comment on your blog. I appreciate it.
I must agree with you. It was their decision to have this many children, and they have to live with the consequences of their decisions. It is to my dismay that their children have to suffer the consequences of said decisions. This family has recently moved into a homeless shelter located on a former Naval Air Station here in Hawaii. Hopefully they can make the best of the situation.
To reply to your question, two responsible consenting adults should consider all the relevant factors when deciding to conceive a child. Unfortunately, due to lifestyle choices by both parties, their children are the ones who have to suffer. This is not fair to the children. When referring to their children, it is very unfair when they cannot receive life’s basic necessities because of the irresponsible decisions of their patents.
I would really like to see my tax dollars put to good use for the children. Hopefully this assistance will put them in the position to make responsible decisions in their lives. Decisions, that I hope, do not reflect those of their parents in the future.