Another America bad...

[Ian Gills]

One of the things where America really does do a poor job compared to Europe is on homelessness and mental illness.

The situation really is appauling in America.

The system is set up so that people can and do get left behind.

So I'm forced to see homeless people on the streets and mentally ill people speaking to themselves on the train most days I have to go to work.

Since there's little in the way of Government handouts and heathcare for people that slip through the net here, we're left facing this mess.

In Europe you see nowhere near the numbers of homeless or mentally ill people as you do in America because Europeans care and don't mind paying taxes to help out the most vulnerable segments of their population.

Not so in America...

America needs a bigger Federal Government with longer arms to reach into our lives and your pockets.

[jimbo]

Tell me about the gypsies ( 'Irish travelers') and how well they are treated across Europe!!!!!!!

[Ian Gills]

Later in the 19th century, Romani immigration was forbidden on a racial basis in areas outside Europe, mostly in the English speaking world (in 1885 the United States outlawed the entry of the Roma) and also in some South American countries (in 1880 Argentina adopted a similar policy).

[Cookie]

I talk to them. DO you? You know, winter is coming up, you could take a blanket, somewinter coats,boots,gloves, and say, here... without expecting a thank you. Give them something. Evenif, nothing more than conversation. Sure, sometimes, you have no idea what you are talking about, but, who cares, I sit and talk to anyone, anywhere.

So many people will walk right by them,like they don't exist. You can help by quit complaining and do something for them. If you see the same ones day in and day out, and you grab a coffee somewhere to take with on the train, buy 2 and a donut. If you notice, he needs a coat, take a coat with you, do more than just nothing. Some people call me names, because they think, I am saying or doing something, to look " wonderful" hell, I want nothing. Just don't like to see people hurt. You would be amazed if you talk to them. I believe, everyone is just one-foot step away from the same conditions, it does not take much.

[BobL43]

I talk to them. DO you? You know, winter is coming up, you could take a blanket, somewinter coats,boots,gloves, and say, here... without expecting a thank you. Give them something. Evenif, nothing more than conversation. Sure, sometimes, you have no idea what you are talking about, but, who cares, I sit and talk to anyone, anywhere.

So many people will walk right by them,like they don't exist. You can help by quit complaining and do something for them. If you see the same ones day in and day out, and you grab a coffee somewhere to take with on the train, buy 2 and a donut. If you notice, he needs a coat, take a coat with you, do more than just nothing. Some people call me names, because they think, I am saying or doing something, to look " wonderful" hell, I want nothing. Just don't like to see people hurt. You would be amazed if you talk to them. I believe, everyone is just one-foot step away from the same conditions, it does not take much.

Cookie you have the right attitute. You talk to anyone, anywhere? I'm shocked!

And complaining like Ian does, is worthless, but you care enough to make a difference.

[Cookie]

I think it is easier to make a difference one person at a time, one moment at a time; I know, what Ian is saying, but, in the process of doing something so grand, so many will eventually, perish from cold, illness and hunger. Their needs are now. I commend Ian for wanting to add more ways to make things better for those in need, but, I don't see it as being forced to look at them, like my eyes are so dainty I can only look at things of beauty, or forced to see people talk to theirselves. They are usually thought of as possible, rapists, murderers or drug addicts. Yet, those people can come in 3 pc suits. Use alot of commonsense all the time with people. Even those you think, you do know. Ian is a good person, without people like him, who would fix the laws or want to, make things better, but, inbetween the making; we could do our small part to make one person's life a tadbit, better.

...As always, use commonsense, and don't go anywhere with anyone you don't know.

and, yes, complaining is a no-win situation most of the times, it is not productive of much. But, who knows, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

[jimbo]

Later in the 19th century, Romani immigration was forbidden on a racial basis in areas outside Europe, mostly in the English speaking world (in 1885 the United States outlawed the entry of the Roma) and also in some South American countries (in 1880 Argentina adopted a similar policy).

Who cares about 1885. In 2011 your warmhearted British homies threw these folks out of their homes in England.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2...-eviction.html

[ballvalve]

Tell me about the gypsies ( 'Irish travelers') and how well they are treated across Europe!!!!!!!

About 90% of all crime in Slovakia is gypsy oriented. They are a very strange bunch indeed, and you no more want to visit their homespots than go to a late night bar in Gary, Indiana.

The girls do provide very competent services to travelers along main hi-ways for very modest fees, this is one trade they have mastered. Just be sure their 12 brothers are not in the bushes. And don't get in the center of 20] 6 year old Gyp kids. They'll take your pants off over your head and you will never know it. Keep a pocketful of change in your pocket to toss in the air so you can make your run.

http://www.slovakia.org/society-roma.htm

I did honor their old culture with this wagon, from when they were wandering minstrels and tinkers and smiths, prior to being poisoned by the russian welfare state. You still see a few over there.

[Ian Gills]

Look, there were 10 years of negotiations to try and find a peaceful solution to this, so what they are doing is probably the right thing. The travellers built without planning permission. And the case was heard by your equivalent of the Supreme Court, I think on more than one occassion.

Just because people build things in America without permits, does not mean that Great Britain should follow.

America declared independence because its people did not want to follow the rules.

The English respect permits.

They also built on "green belt" land. I suppose most Americans wouldn't have a problem if someone built a home in one of their national parks?

Heck, you can't even open a shop in some towns here.

[Cookie]

The bears might mind.

[ballvalve]

We have room for a few 'Irish travellers'. They could even scrape up salt and make a living. It would take the BLM -Bureau of land managment -a year just to notice them here. They could break wild horses and eat the excess burro's to make a living.