Submitted by benpinette t3_10bpwof in Maine
Comments
biggestofbears t1_j4bt3tr wrote
He makes less than $300/wk. That's not enough to afford rent and also food/regular expenses. So he uses drugs to escape the shitty world he can't afford. I'm not saying drugs aren't a problem, but you can't just write this off as "he could afford rent if he stopped doing drugs". Because he couldn't.
sspif t1_j4c2tpi wrote
Some people become homeless because they are drug addicts, but it is also true that many people become drug addicts because they are using to cope with the stresses of homelessness.
AnythingToAvoidWork t1_j4cz1fw wrote
It really is a vicious cycle.
And if you're homeless you probably can't afford to do in-patient sobriety which would probably help a lot of people.
Not even factoring in tons of people are in denial about being an addict.
Tankbean t1_j4emmga wrote
Not universally true, but it usually starts with the drug addiction. Most people have a basic support system of family and friends to at least get a roof over their head if something catastrophic happens. Addicts spend years destroying every relationship they've ever had until they get to the point where no one will help them anymore. It's fucked up that we as a society can't get our shit together to provide basic psychological healthcare to people. Most don't become drug addicts without some deep seated mental problems in the first place. Moreover those "catastrophic" things that cause people living paycheck to paycheck to become homeless in the first place are often medical related expenses. Yet we elect politicians driven by corporate interests who will never pass universal healthcare and will continue to spend trillions on corporate welfare (eg defense spending, bailouts, tax breaks, incentives, etc). I guess CEOs need bigger bonuses then people need basic healthcare or a warm bed that's not inside a private prison.
Derstilweedndat t1_j4btahy wrote
You're not making the point you think you are
biggestofbears t1_j4bto0i wrote
My point is that he doesn't make enough money to pay for rent. The drugs aren't a factor, just his take home pay is $1200/mo. There isn't any place in Maine that would rent that amount, but even if there was, he'd still need money for transportation/food/electricity. You can't just belittle the problem down to "drugs" because it's more than that.
RuinTrajectory t1_j4c3pnh wrote
"the drugs aren't a factor" that is just one of the most naive statements I've ever heard, good lord. Addiction is extremely costly in about every way imaginable. It absolutely IS a factor, and you're straight up disconnected from reality if you don't understand that.
biggestofbears t1_j4c40s0 wrote
If you remove the cost of drugs, he still doesn't have enough money though. So no, they aren't a factor.
If he became sober tomorrow. No more drug expenses. But surprise! Still can't afford rent.
coforbs t1_j4c5gu3 wrote
Not trying to be pedantic but your spending habits are absolutely going to factor in to your budget.
In this instance, not only does addiction factor in to the budgetary considerations but it factors in to thing like mental/emotional well being, ability to pursue different avenues for work, social/familial relations, and on and on ad infinutm.
If your trying to say rent is high and pay is low, just say that. To say the drugs arent a factor is just blatantly incorrect.
biggestofbears t1_j4c63es wrote
But we're not talking about any of that. The first comment was specifically saying the money is going to drugs and that's why he's homeless. If he stopped using drugs, he could afford an apartment. I'm specifically talking about funds, not mental health or well being. Financially speaking, drugs are not a problem in the same way "millennials eating avocado toast is what's stopping them from buying homes" is not the problem.
Drugs as a whole, absolutely a problem we need to solve. But this person quitting drugs won't fix their homelessness problem.
RuinTrajectory t1_j4c7dwz wrote
a factor vs. sole factor. Meth is extremely addictive. Meth causes rapid decline in both physical and mental health. Addiction in general causes a multitude of problems, and is indeed why he lost his presumably higher paying utilities job. You can point to the wages all you want but being an addict sure as shit isn't a non-factor in this guy's diminished quality of life.
UncertainOrangutan t1_j4cgndy wrote
The sequence of events is just as important... as one of the parent commenter suggested, drugs are used for an escape and it is entirely possible they are using it to cope with already being homeless.
>But drugs don't help with the budget
I agree. But $1200 (the amount they hypothetically made) tax free usually doesn't cover rent and food in a lot of Maine. So they use a portion of it to escape their reality.
coforbs t1_j4ce1c1 wrote
^this guy understands the definition of the word "factor"
Salute
AnythingToAvoidWork t1_j4cyqvz wrote
You're both arguing two very similar but different points past each other. That's why this is going nowhere lol.
RealMainer t1_j4bvkke wrote
I pay $800 a month for rent in Lewiston. Everyone I know who rents pays less than $1,000. It's also pretty easy to find a job paying $15-$20 an hour with no experience if you live in a more expensive area, but of course if you are an addict you probably wont get hired at those jobs or last long if you do.
I know rent prices suck but it's still very doable.
ejohnson382 t1_j4fh6y3 wrote
I mean, roommates exist.
MrsMurphysChowder t1_j4cabil wrote
But if he made that little and WASN'T a drug addict, he'd be a much better prospect as a roommate.
RealMainer t1_j4buduo wrote
In the article it says he also receives food stamps and has Mainecare. He currently buys his food at a Cumberland Farms which is way more expensive than a grocery store, so he gets plenty of food stamps.
$300 a week is more than enough to afford rent. Yes, it sucks that most of your check will go to rent, but that's just how it is right now. There are better jobs out there, but one way or another he became an addict so his options are crap until he gets his life together.
Drugs are the problem. Most of the time they are the cause, not the consequence, of homelessness. People dont become homeless and then resort to drugs, they become addicts, alienate everyone in their life, and then become homeless.
There of course are outliers, but the last study I read reported that over 95% of homeless suffer from either mental illness or addiction.
Ironically the ones who don't suffer from those ailments are choosing to be homeless and no ammount of public assistance is going to make them move into a crumby one room apartment.
biggestofbears t1_j4bv9sy wrote
You also need a security deposit, usually that's an extra months rent, up front due on the first day. Electricity pricing has skyrocketed. Many landlords now require rental insurance. Food stamps will absolutely help, but grocery shopping also requires both the skill to cook and time to do so - which means he'll also need to buy utensils and cookware, most people working minimum wage jobs don't have the time because they work shit hours.
All I'm saying is that this isn't a simple problem to fix, just saying "there's no homeless problem" is incredibly out of touch.
ejohnson382 t1_j4fhit2 wrote
I guarantee almost every kitchen in Maine is hiring for a dishwasher right now. I’m not saying this is living the dream by any means, but being in an environment where you can learn some basic cooking techniques, eat for free at work, and probably earn overtime as an hourly employee would solve half of these problems.
There are solutions.
RealMainer t1_j4bwdfh wrote
When I say there is no homeless problem I am not saying there are no homeless people. It's about the root cause.
raynedanser t1_j4byc44 wrote
It sounds like you just like to sit on your high horse and judge.
PNWMunky t1_j4c2wlk wrote
Lol. At some point it’s ok to judge one’s actions. A lot of people in this world. Get your shit together or get out of the way.
raynedanser t1_j4c3wv6 wrote
It's really not. It's not a good look for anyone.
PNWMunky t1_j4c42g8 wrote
Lol. I’m not concerned with the optics from Reddit folk.
raynedanser t1_j4c65wb wrote
Might want to be concerned about real life. It's not a good look, but cling to it on a lame ass attempt to justify it.
PNWMunky t1_j4c6faa wrote
Justify what? If you’re an addict, get your shit together. My heart bleeds for those with a shred of integrity. Junkies can fuck off.
Joeistall t1_j4d8rt8 wrote
I hope you get fucked up at work and get prescribed opiates and go on a spiral.
Its always people just like you that struggle the worst to cope when shit hits tha fan.
Its not even gonna be your fault when it does happen and its gonna be hilarious when you encounter people just like you.
PNWMunky t1_j4devt3 wrote
Been there. Done that. Most injured workers I’ve seen that became addicts started taking more than prescribed from the start. Been on painkillers myself. Shit happens but you do have to deal with the life you made for yourself. People like me? What’s that mean?
Joeistall t1_j52p13v wrote
Doesnt sound like it. Most older timer blue collar guys I know still working are on something to deal with the pain.
Ignorant lying pos like you is what i mean.
Been on painkillers myself, no issues. But i don't have any predispositions to addiction as well. And I'm smart enough not to be taken advantage of by pill pushing doctors and nefarious companies who have lost multitudes of lawsuits for their majority roles in the opioid crisis.
You keep feeding yourself your weirdo delusional total self reliance mythos.
Im sure that will make your kids talk to you. Lololololol
[deleted] t1_j53k9c9 wrote
[removed]
raynedanser t1_j4by5jq wrote
Where are you living that $300/week is enough to rent something, anything? that isn't a rat infested shithole?
Drugs are A problem, but not THE problem.
[deleted] t1_j4cbi4w wrote
>Where are you living that $300/week is enough to rent something, anything?
Rent with roommates....
Yea it won't get you your own one bedroom apartment. But it might get you a room somewhere.
Joeistall t1_j4d93xv wrote
You know people all over are totally looking to double and quadruple up in rooms. Such a common thing to see in ads for roommates. O wait. No it fuckin isnt. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
No matter how you slice it 60-70% of his income will go to housing.
[deleted] t1_j4db2pd wrote
>You know people all over are totally looking to double and quadruple up in rooms. Such a common thing to see in ads for roommates
You don't even understand what the term "roommate" means....
Typically it doesn't mean you share literally the same room. It's more renting a place with other people.
Most of the time I've rented have been with roommates... even in the middle of LA I was able to get a place for 800 a month (with utilities and internet included in that).
As others have pointed out, his is less of a money issue... and more of a "I'd rather spend money on drugs" issue.
lucidlilacdream t1_j4buytx wrote
$300 a week is not more than enough to afford the current rental prices. Yes, this person has a drug addiction. Yes, addiction causes a ton of issues with homelessness and is a major problem and hurdle for a number of people. But, it’s not accurate to say $300 is more than enough. It’s out of touch with the price of the rentals right now.
RealMainer t1_j4bwdpi wrote
I'm looking on several different rental sites right now to make sure I am not out of touch, and there are dozens of listing for under $1000, some even under $800.
On top of that there are tons of job openings for $15+ an hour. My drug addict brother just got a line cook job for $17 an hour, although he will undoubtedly quit after two weeks like he does all his jobs.
lucidlilacdream t1_j4c0kky wrote
$300 a week is $1200 a month. If you found a rental for $800 a month, which is nearly impossible in any place 1 hour reach of Portland, you’d have $400 left for all of your bills. Heating alone would eat up that $400. Add a car and you are fucked, and the vast majority of Maine requires a car because we have shit transit. At $1000 you’d have $200 after rent. Most rentals are $1.2-1.6k a month.
You are living in a different time and under a rock if you think $200-400 a month is enough to live in after rent. It’s not 1970, it’s 2023 where eggs cost $6 a dozen and gas is $3.50+ a gallon.
RealMainer t1_j4c2lej wrote
Plenty of places for rent in Lewiston for around $800. 30 minutes away from Portland.
But not sure what your obsession with Portland is. You know Maine is a huge state right? If you are homeless why would you choose to live in the most expensive city in Maine?
It's not hard to afford rent if you work $30-40 hours a week. Again, it sucks that rent eats up a lot of that, but that's why programs like food stamps, Heap, the rent rebate programs and Mainecare exist.
Sounds like your standards of living are just so impossibly high that you can't even imagine the reality of living paycheck to paycheck like many people do.
Joeistall t1_j4d9bj6 wrote
Bro you just are clearly not in charge in your own budget.
Eggs have triples in price.
Wtf are you on.
Bostonbaked20 t1_j4ccg9u wrote
Respectfully I’d like to know where $300 a week "is more than enough to afford rent"? Even making double that amount weekly it's very difficult to afford a decent place to live while also trying to pay for the essentials like food, utilities ect. A lot of folks turn to substances to ease the stress of just surviving. So many use alcohol multiple times a week as well to unwind and cope with surviving the grind of life. We tend to look down more on people turning to drugs rather than alcohol but we all know if alcohol was illegal there would be many people still using it and having to endure risking legal consequences, homelessness to obtain a drink much like people face when using illegal drugs. As a community we need to stop judging and assuming things about each other and turn that energy towards being angry at our government. If people are working a full time job but can't even afford to exist then there is a major problem with the system that the wealthy ruling class created to benefit themselves. How many people grow up in poverty and are able to escape it? The system is designed to keep you poor and in servitude to those who are wealthy. Of course there are people who can change the trajectory of their life after growing up in poverty but we all know how difficult this is. Most people turning to illegal substances daily to cope aren't doing it because it's fun they are doing it to escape an unjust and unfair system. Back in the 40s/50s a guy could work as a janitor and own a nice home and support a family of four on their own. Today a lot of people work multiple jobs and still will never own a house. We all need to be angry at the people who can fix this problem but chose not to because it doesn't benefit their interests rather than judging disenfranchised individuals.
SecretAsianMaine t1_j4cm16n wrote
$300 a week does not cover rent in Lewiston unless you are in section 8 housing. And you’re still not going to get your money’s worth.
Beefy-McWhatnow1988 t1_j4bu0va wrote
It’s sad that not enough people in this state see it for what it is like you and a few others do, this state has a pretty terrible drug problem that I’m sure accounts for a majority of the homeless we have here, especially in Portland, it’s become the “this problem has been disguised as this problem” type of situation.
FragilousSpectunkery t1_j4cl90i wrote
I doubt that there are any states in the USA where you couldn't say they have a terrible drug problem. Capitalism has created a society that needs mind-altering substances in order to cope.
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4gbly3 wrote
Even if it's not the majority of homeless it is the problematic homeless. The ones who destroy everything, erode good will and make services ineffectual. We just don't have a good solution to people addicted to hard drugs.
DidDunMegasploded t1_j4c33fw wrote
Can't they be mutually exclusive? Not every homeless person is a druggie, and not every druggie is a homeless person.
We can have both problems and tackle both problems. If we help the drug problem, we can help the homeless problem too.
workingonit777 t1_j4c9tah wrote
there actually is still a large homeless problem but yeah
Just-10247-LOC t1_j4ccdou wrote
Addiction isn't the addict's fault, it is an illness he has little control over.
Goodunnn t1_j4cleyp wrote
Well that’s a pretty narrow view on things.
Lieutenant_Joe t1_j4crb9y wrote
…there are both, and one doesn’t necessitate the other
I’ve known plenty of drug addicts with apartments and I’ve known homeless who are clean and sober
Also sometimes clean homeless people start using because reality is so unkind that they’d kill themselves if they had to keep hacking it sober
Like I like and can relate to most of what you said but that last thing kinda hurt the message
Just-10247-LOC t1_j4ccjqn wrote
It would be really great if America had compassion for poor people.
Just-10247-LOC t1_j4dj2gu wrote
And where did we as a human race get the idea that it is OK for us to allow people to go without food, without shelter, without medical help,without water, without adequate safety or without simple dignity and decency? Why do we think it is not an immediate emergency to feed and shelter children and people in need?
Why do we think that problem of poverty and homelessness is the problem only of those caught up in it?
BigSquinn t1_j4g2jxe wrote
We got the idea around the same time we started to believe having money is more important than how other people are doing... so a really long time ago
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4gb2sn wrote
Homelessness is a hard issue. It's not as simple as just showing compassion and providing these services. Other places have tried to provide services to help the homeless and they often end up completely destroyed. I lived in Seattle for a few years and every new initiative to help just ended in complete disaster.
The working homeless who aren't on drugs aren't really the hard group of homeless to help, or the ones who cause problems. It's the ones who are on drugs who will strip the wires from a house you provide, or completely ruin any apartment on a drug binge. It even got so bad in Seattle that ports potties provided to camps were completely and irrevocably destroyed by the homeless.
I wish the issue was as simple to solve as "provide services and show compassion" but it isn't. We do a disservice to everyone by not acknowledging the full scope and difficulty of this problem and boiling it down to simple ineffective platitudes.
Just-10247-LOC t1_j4dk39r wrote
Perhaps, one point is Jesus supposedly saying that we would always have the poor. I bet this has been perverted in many people's minds that there is no point to trying to solve the problems of poverty because, well, Jesus said we would always have that problem. And perverting what Paul wrote, saying that if someone is not willing to work then "let him not eat." Christianity telling us how to mistreat the poor.
Former Christian here, so liberating to be free of a mindset that insists that we can never solve the problems of the poor.
gordielaboom t1_j4e0l8p wrote
Yeah, I’ve been to a few churches in the Bangor area - they love the verses where you get to judge, skip the ones about helping your fellow man.
k1ckstand t1_j4cj9xw wrote
It’s easy not being poor. Just don’t. That’s what bootstraps are for!
/S
2close2trouble t1_j4cn7st wrote
I hope others here get the sarcasm. That’s exactly the attitude I’m sick of hearing. I am very fortunate to have not been in that position and I don’t pretend to understand what others have been through, their struggles both mentally and physically. It’s a lot easier to discourage than encourage. Let’s flip that around.
PNWMunky t1_j4crj8x wrote
It’s easiest of all to truly have personal accountability.
TheRealRolepgeek t1_j4cv1jx wrote
MuH pErSoNaL aCcOuNtAbIlItY
The thing 40 year old white dudes who got helped out at every step of their lives say, believing it was all their own 'hard work' that got them to a comfy position from which to look down on anyone suffering from mental illness, neurodivergence, addiction, abuse, or exploitation.
How about you be personally accountable for not being an asshole to people who don't deserve it?
PNWMunky t1_j4cwe90 wrote
Lol. Even in therapy (ya know, helping people) the first step is owning up to who and what you are. Not circlejerking on Reddit. Lo…fucking… L.
jonnyspells t1_j4d8idv wrote
you are correct insofar as we must hold ourselves accountable to the decisions we make- even when sometimes the outcome is made for us before we even make the decision. the first step is removing our moral judgments of things and our personal evaluations so we can find the solutions to our problems.
however, you are only here offering judgements, and not solutions. is this really what you want to be spending your time doing?
PNWMunky t1_j4deir0 wrote
Junkies can fuck off. Yes
ExpressFruit4351 t1_j4s57st wrote
I genuinely hope you do not have a good day.
PNWMunky t1_j4th0g8 wrote
Every day alive is living the dream. Kicking ass my lost soul.
jonnyspells t1_j4gb0y7 wrote
i'm sorry life has been too difficult for you. i hope you are never dehumanised like this by someone as small and afraid as you.
it's a shame, but you're free to waste your existence however you please.
PNWMunky t1_j4hcyph wrote
Lol. Living the dream my lost redditor. Living the dream.
Joeistall t1_j4d7yf4 wrote
"EvEn In ThEraPy" hur dur dur.
Oh look at you on your high horse. Pos.
PNWMunky t1_j4degn6 wrote
Lol. Not hard to not be a fuck up
raynedanser t1_j4di23u wrote
Anyone can end up poor. Anyone can end up an addict. Even you.
Get off your high horse.
PNWMunky t1_j4hch00 wrote
It’s not a communicable virus.
raynedanser t1_j4hdvz2 wrote
And yet... It could still happen. You're still not immune to it.
PNWMunky t1_j4hkwyn wrote
I’d be sure not to be a junky though. Even in hard times staying sober isn’t unreasonable ask. You can do as little as possible and be poor but survive. You can be a hard worker and earner and a functioning addict and it may work. Being poor and an addict is digging your own grave. The immortal words of Dean Wormer- “fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son”.
raynedanser t1_j4hz4rp wrote
Of course you would. No one ever expects to be an addict. You must have super powers.
PNWMunky t1_j4i2bm7 wrote
Holy shit I’ve had multiple surgeries as recent as last year. It’s really easy to not be a fucking loser and a drain on friends, family and society. Good lord you people are fucking weak. Lol
raynedanser t1_j4i7u1h wrote
You people? I'm not an asshole. Compassion and kindness and not being an ass aren't weakness.
PNWMunky t1_j4iab1i wrote
Meant the thought that being an addict is out of one’s hands. Its pain management. Not taking what it needs to be numb and pain free. Misuse is entirely on the user. Same with chronic pain. For most it’s paying the piper of not taking care of oneself over a lifetime.
raynedanser t1_j4dhyhi wrote
Oh Jesus.
PGids t1_j4cd5yn wrote
Probably be worth his while to get to a point where he can piss clean and apply at Huhtamaki, it’s right up the road from wherever he’s at now
~$20/hr with full benefits if you can fog up a mirror and virtually unlimited OT and you can jump to $23-25/hr by showing up consistently and maintaining your ability to fog up a mirror
It’s hot as balls in the summer and shift work blows but it sure as fuck beats $300 a week
Javesther t1_j4dpq1e wrote
Once you read the article , it goes into the drug addiction part. It’s just not regular homeless people they are also addicts. Most of the time they also commit crimes to fund their addiction. Nonetheless , what they need is help , rehab and counseling . Let’s stop playing victim here .
PrometheusOnLoud t1_j4canmn wrote
This is the key that people seem to miss: If you are struggling in Maine, you need to move away from Maine.
redditvivus t1_j4g5ysc wrote
Where?
PrometheusOnLoud t1_j4h3798 wrote
Literally any other coastal area. Texas is far more affordable and Florida actually is as well if you don't mind living in rough areas. Being somewhere with a more concentrated population helps; there is far more opportunity.
Notmystationbro t1_j4e2a7n wrote
US should adopt what Canada has done and ban every overseas country from buying mass properties. But we all know or should know that a lot of the politicians on both sides are bought and paid for
[deleted] t1_j4fhxnp wrote
Yup, mass corruption ... and voters just shrug and keep supporting it while mumbling "I don't like it, but what choice do I have?"
The country has fully surrendered to the corrupt.
KezarLake t1_j4ctp67 wrote
It’s disheartening to read an article about homelessness that opens by describing someone smoking a cigarette. That alone is such a waste of money. Then, the article talks about common roadblocks to homeless people getting jobs, specifically, the need for a phone and a physical address. If a homeless person needs a phone and a physical address, there are affordable ways to do this. Most carriers have prepaid phone plans for $15 a month and UPS offers a mail box with a physical address for as low as $10 a month. I guess it’s a vicious cycle, if you’re addicted to nicotine, you aren’t going to allocate that money to resources that can actually help you. This holds true for alcohol and illegal drugs addictions too.
Money-Topic-725 t1_j4edc8t wrote
Hi 👋🏼 I work with the homeless population in Maine. You’re forgetting a number of barriers: transportation to and from the mail box you mentioned, being allowed to open and possess a bank account if you have poor credit (ran into this recently with a client), and I have NEVER seen a client who’s phone bill is only $15/month, typically it’s more like $45. Just quit cigarettes? If it was that easy, no one would smoke. I could go on and on but I would just gently and humbly remind you that things are not as easy as you’re making it seem.
[deleted] t1_j4fi6lu wrote
My phone bill is currently $15 a month (there was a 10 dollar plan, but I wanted the 3gb of data instead of 1gb)
KezarLake t1_j4ei468 wrote
Look, I’m simply saying, in response to the two specific barriers that the article speaks of, that there are possible solutions. The article itself totally glosses over the very struggles that you pointed out. No where in my response did I say/infer that these solutions were simple or easy. Homelessness is a very complex situation and full of Catch-22s. If the solutions were easy and simple, there’d, obviously, be much fewer homeless people. If you want to gently and humbly chide anyone, start with the organizations who put fluffy incomplete information out there, the legislators, policymakers, and the others who are in decision-making positions be it private or public.
[deleted] t1_j4cs5sk wrote
No wonder you got metal issues 😂 your a speed addict. And also I will never feel bad for someone dumb enough to smoke a cig in a work hotel. What a joke of an article. Do you know how many people have to pass a piss test to keep a job? We should just take everything away till he can pass a piss test. Not even working a full work week smh
[deleted] t1_j4etqj9 wrote
Struggling to survive while doing meth and working part time*
DarkEyes5150 t1_j4dsczc wrote
Ugh. I have a medical condition. Can only work part time bringing home about the same. And I can't get MainCare or foodstamps. Guess I'm missing the drug addiction.
BigSquinn t1_j4g2q15 wrote
Consider yourself very lucky you're not addicted to something
StarWarder t1_j4eoko9 wrote
For those that are saying the drug addiction isn’t the sufficient cause of his homelessness, my company would hire him for a caregiver role including a place to live half the time at >50k yr starting if it weren’t for that… and not only the drug use itself but from an industrial organizational psychology perspective all of the indicators about his problem solving capabilities, personality traits, etc that are relevant to working professionally… to those that say he’s on the drugs because of the situation… that’s worse when determining his qualifications to do a particular job, not better. It’s all related. Despite the cigarette mention, it’s not one decision that made this guy end up here. It was a series of decisions and absence of decisions.
Now I think this person needs help and all the compassion we can muster but the first step in solving the problem is identifying the problem correctly.
BigSquinn t1_j4g2z4e wrote
People: Let's help our homeless bothers and sisters!
(homeless person has a drug addiction that contributed to homelessness)
People: Well not THOSE homeless brothers and sisters!
[deleted] t1_j4clqmj wrote
[deleted]
Mor_Ericks28 t1_j4fy7m6 wrote
This is infuriating. Smoking a cig? Mainecare? I work 60+ hours a week and choose not to indulge my vices. And yet I am forced to support this. Ugh! Bad choices should NOT be rewarded with free healthcare.
redditvivus t1_j4g5xpa wrote
I don't know what to tell you to make you care about other people.
Maineguy1299 t1_j4burt4 wrote
Starts the article off talking about him smoking his cigarettes, read enough right there. If he’s got enough for cigs and drugs, he can take care of Himself.
Runnah5555 t1_j4bwl0n wrote
Likely the only joys he gets out of life. I’ve been there, the only thing getting me through is the next smoke break. (Stopped smoking)
PNWMunky t1_j4c30jw wrote
That’s his problem.
PaywallHelperBotv2 t1_j4bfck9 wrote
Link for those who need help getting over a paywall
throwawayprivateguy t1_j4bohxt wrote
Bad bot
benpinette OP t1_j4bfovc wrote
There is no paywall for this story. So please, take this down.
DidDunMegasploded t1_j4c38hd wrote
It's probably sensing the ad popup.
Ill-Energy-7914 t1_j4c7qmp wrote
The economy is going to outpace bad habits, it won’t stand still for narcotics, booze, smokes, gambling, porno. We have to make concessions for retirements, addicts need to make concessions for imminent poverty.
Benzo-Kazooie t1_j4clhar wrote
As a person who participates in all those things, I assure you it has nothing to do with homelessness. You're just boring and projecting 😂.
Ill-Energy-7914 t1_j4cqc42 wrote
Sure sure
[deleted] t1_j4cb4vk wrote
Could end homelessness with the stroke of a pen in this country.... but instead we would rather do things like shovel $100+ billion to Ukraine for proxy wars.
And everyone will say how they wish it could be different.... before going and voting for the same corrupt duopoly that will do everything in their power to make sure it never changes.
I wonder if I'm going to live long enough to see real change in this country. But at 40 years old... I don't think so.
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4gcvy4 wrote
I do wish it would be different.
I wish we would double what we are sending to Ukraine. Particularly some Abrams.
[deleted] t1_j4gf00v wrote
Yup, typical war state citizen response.
Our own people don't have healthcare and sleep on the street .... but fuck them, let's send all our money overseas to police the world!!!
Though, of course, the money actually goes to all our weapons manufacturers because of massive corruption.
No doubt in 10 or 20 years when you figure out what is really happening over there, it will be treated in the same way as when Americans found out the TRILLIONS spent after 9/11 was based on lies an absolutely no justified reason.....with a shrug and a yawn.
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4gfadr wrote
Russians getting himarsed for being in Ukraine will not be greeted with a shrug and a yawn from me in 10 years. I'll still be cheering.
[deleted] t1_j4gfl92 wrote
>I'll still be cheering.
Of course you will. A lot of Americans still cheer for what we did in Iraq too.
Stupid Population + Propaganda = Cheering crowds
It's a pretty basic formula empires have executed on for much of human history.
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4gfvk3 wrote
Why carry water for Russia? They invaded their neighbor unprovoked in a war of conquest. The world has united against them and condemned their baseless aggression.
Without crying "what about" why are you carrying water for them?
[deleted] t1_j4ghvkq wrote
We have a massive homeless population.... we have crumbling infrastructure.... our own people go hungry.... and our own people don't have healthcare....
ALL problems that we could EASILY fix with the money we JUST SHOVELED at a random foreign country we have nothing to do with (well, officially at least).
This is why America will continue a downward spiral. Why our society more and more looks like North Korea ....as our own people starve yet we keep shoveling all our money into military.... because dumb fucking idiots keep cheering for it.
Who cares about all our domestic problems from lack of funding if it means sticking it in the eye of Russia? Am I right? Lolo0llzozlzozlzozlzozl
It's so fucking stupid. All it took was a couple people to get on TV and tell you you are being a super hero for ignoring the problems of our own country.... and here you are carrying water for the most corrupt people in this world lol. "Yeaaa! We should send ANOTHER 100 billion to the corrupt military industrial complex! YEAAAA!! WOOOOO"
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4h0g14 wrote
You're ignorant about how the aid is supplied. The majority of it is stockpiled military systems. I guess we could give the homeless each some 155mm arty shells but that's not gonna fix their problems.
[deleted] t1_j4h683t wrote
You are ignorant if you don't think those stockpiles now need to be replaced.
Pretending as if the 100+ billion wasn't an expense is absolutely absurd. But what else would I expect but lies and dishonesty from someone trying to justify the continued US war machine.
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4h6w6k wrote
This equipment would be fired in training, expire, or need refitting at some point anyway. It was going to get replaced eventually regardless this way it kills an aggressor. It doesn't hurt us at all to defend the vulnerable with the weapons they need to defend their home.
Leaving the weak to get run over by a revanchist power is disgusting.
[deleted] t1_j4hjxim wrote
>Leaving the weak to get run over by a revanchist power is disgusting
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
I know it's a stretch for a pro-war american.... but maybe learn about a subject before cheering for whatever the war machine does?
People in this country are so god damned stupid. They just ignore all history and keep screaming "WE ARE THE GOOD GUYS!!!!" as if the world is a comic book. For fucks sake.
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4hp7a9 wrote
> They just ignore all history and keep screaming
I have a degree in history.
There's no honest way to spin this to make us the bad guys. We have done nothing but provide weapons to a country defending itself from a hostile invasion. Your position is nothing more than "America bad" despite the majority of the world backing Ukraine as their neighbor literally invades and tries to annex them.
[deleted] t1_j4ia3kx wrote
>I have a degree in history.
LOL, Ukranian history? Or just "history in general"? hahaha
Because it really seems like you don't know anything about Ukraine or the relationship with Russia....or the US part in the coup 8 years ago.... or relations with NATO and Russia .... or anything surrounding the soviet union.
You also seem to have no knowledge of US interventions and military actions over the last 100 years..... you know how long the list of regime change is with the US? Installing right wing dictators?
SPOILERS, UKRAINE IS ONE OF THOSE COUNTRIES. WE BACKED A COUP AND HELPED THEM INSTALL THEIR CURRENT RIGHT WING AUTHORITARIAN REGIME.
>We have done nothing but provide weapons to a country defending itself from a hostile invasion.
THE US IS NOT THE POLICE OF THE WORLD.
We should NOT be sending trillions of dollars to stick our noses into other countries business constantly....WHILE OUR OWN PEOPLE DIE OF EASILY PREVENTED SICKNESS AND SUFFER.
Holy shit, what is it with you war mongers and only wanting to "help people" if it comes in the form of bombs and extreme spending to the military industrial complex??
Save lives here at home by giving healthcare? BOOOO BORIINNGGGGGG.
"Save lives" by engaging in regime change and installing right wing dictators? WOOO FUN!! HERE'S ALL THE MONEY YOU WANT!!!
Fucking ridiculous.
ecco-domenica t1_j4iwq4q wrote
Here's a thought. Not everybody who disagrees with you is a warmonger. Shout less, listen more.
[deleted] t1_j4iz9fv wrote
They are when they support 100+ billions going to countries we have no business with.
mymaineaccount46 t1_j4jchkw wrote
>You also seem to have no knowledge of US interventions and military actions over the last 100 years..... you know how long the list of regime change is with the US? Installing right wing dictators?
More what about
> SPOILERS, UKRAINE IS ONE OF THOSE COUNTRIES. WE BACKED A COUP AND HELPED THEM INSTALL THEIR CURRENT RIGHT WING AUTHORITARIAN REGIME.
Should be easy for Russia to walk in and remove an unpopular, foreign placed regime. Oh wait, the population has supported the current political establishment in Ukraine with armed resistance to the invaders. You've eaten Russian propaganda in your rush to "America bad."
The Ukrainian people have agency in their actions. They chose their political establishment and they are defending their country. We are doing the right thing by supporting them and I hope we send more aid.
I'm done, god speed on being such a contrarian that you oppose helping people defend themselves against a hostile invasion.
[deleted] t1_j4jiosf wrote
>The Ukrainian people have agency in their actions. They chose their political establishment
The current Ukrainian government banned opposition parties and media when they were installed 8 years ago with the US help (our heads of state are on a leaked phone recording where they are discussing who to install after the coup).
Also half of the country has been actively fighting against the coup government since it was installed. So while you say "Ukrainians are defending their country".... you are only talking about a small portion of them. The other half have been under attack for quite some time.
None of this is "propaganda" (I know you propagandists LOVE to dismiss anything inconvenient as "Russia propaganda"....it's ridiculous). This is basic undisputed history. A year ago no academic would have ever questioned these facts of the situation.
Just go look at articles about Ukraine from a couple years ago. It has been widely known as an authoritarian right wing regime for MANY YEARS at this point. Also EXTREMELY corrupt, one of the most corrupt in all of europe (THERE IS A REASON THEY WERE NEVER ACCEPTED TO NATO).
You just keep spewing war propaganda while casually ignoring all of the very long and established history of the situation.
You are deeply dishonest. Just endless lies and covering for the war machine and our proxy war as you push state propaganda.
Yourbubblestink t1_j4blx9y wrote
Every picture seems to show the couple laying in bed - a visual that seems to compete with the idea that they are motivated for change.
RealMainer t1_j4bpj7k wrote
>Moody also suffers from a condition shared by many homeless: drug addiction. He spends $40 here and there for methamphetamines,
And there is your problem. He makes enough to afford rent, or his drug habit, but not both. He choose drugs. He goes to the methadone clinic but still buys drugs, and if he tells you he spends $40 a day on his habit he probably spends $80. That's just how it is.
I come from a family of addicts. I could give my brother $1000 to pay for rent every month on top of what he makes from his job, and he would still spend it on drugs instead of rent.
There isn't a homeless problem in Maine, there is a drug/mental illness problem.