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Additional resources needed to aid homeless

Re: Census paints a different picture of the homeless, editorial, May 29.

Homeless, among such wealth. The number of homeless up 8 percent in one year alone is a startling rise in any area, but especially in an area where 90 percent of the homes and the people look affluent. And yet, I'm sure if we could see inside those homes, we would know that many are just one bad break away from losing what they have worked for so many years to accomplish.

With the ever-rising cost of housing, clothing, food, medical insurance, education and many other needed services, it's a wonder we don't have more homeless people than we do. When income is low and expenses are high, the average family tries to borrow funds, just to try to live decently and hang on to what they have. The trouble with that is most needy families have very little collateral and many use their homes as collateral for the loan. Once they get behind again and can't make that finance payment, the company forecloses on the home and then we have more homeless to care for. This is a never-ending battle with no relief in sight.

We also have another situation that is upsetting for the homeless and those who try to work to keep up a normal life for themselves and their families. Our own government is actually helping others while our own U.S. citizens fight to keep their heads above water. Is this fair? Just this past week there was an article in the paper stating that the U.S. government will be spending $1-billion on health care for illegal aliens. I was under the impression that charity was supposed to start at home. Oh yes, it is being done right here, but for others, not our own citizens, many of whom fought to make this great country of ours safe and free.

How many retired and low-income citizens can afford health insurance or even the medications needed to live with less pain and be comfortable? While we shell out all these dollars for medical needs for illegals, why don't we have affordable health care for every citizen in the United States? Why do we want to handicap our own people?

I know a family that lives on disability and their health insurance is $475 a month, which leaves them less than $600 a month for food, clothing, household expenses and medications. How can one person live on that, much less two persons? He's disabled and she has diabetes and can't work much due to a weakened immune system. They are not old enough for Medicare, but can't afford to be without insurance due to their health problems. Where do they go to get some relief?

What are we doing to our own citizens? Maybe they should all register as illegals, and then they could get all the help they need.

As stated earlier, the homeless are not all drunks and druggies. Many are families and individuals who fought to keep this country free, and yet today, those same people can't afford to live and enjoy the freedoms for which they fought. This is indeed a sad situation. There should be no homeless in the United States, except for those individuals who choose to be there. No one should be forced to live on the streets. Freedom is no longer free when we punish those who fought to give us that freedom.

While we say we are celebrating Memorial Day in honor of those who sacrificed and died, what are we doing for the families of those men and women who are down and out, through no fault of their own? We've tossed them aside like trash and this is sinful. God has blessed us as a nation, so we can provide for our own, not discard them.

Careless smokers leave mess at beach

On Sunday, May 22 I went to Clearwater Beach to relax and enjoy what used to be a beautiful beach. As I looked around, I realized that I was lying in one big, nasty ashtray! There were cigarette butts everywhere I looked.

Does anyone care anymore? Smoking there is becoming more of a problem every day. City officials need to put a ban on smoking there or impose a hefty fine for those lazy, filthy, careless smokers who choose to leave their cigarettes in the sand.

Litter defiles beauty of Fort De Soto Park

I'm a fortunate resident of Tierra Verde, who uses and enjoys Fort De Soto Park almost daily. Unfortunately, too many visitors feel that this natural treasure is their personal trash can or that they are not responsible for cleaning up after themselves.

I ask that those who litter start asking themselves if the scenic beauty that surrounds the gulf beaches is worth saving for future generations. The upcoming hurricane season may do enough damage. Let's not give Mother Nature any help in taking away what she gave all of us to enjoy.

[Last modified May 31, 2005, 00:44:11]