[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by SAUGUS BOATER

WINNIPESAUKEE,

there's a big difference between someone who is stealing sandwiches and someone who is stealing flat screen t.v.'s

Try to imagine having no job and no money. Humans need to eat to survive. I'm not saying the man was justified stealing anything, stealing is WRONG !!!. But stealing for something to eat is survival, basic human instinct. Breaking into someone's house and stealing flat screen t.v.'s, computers, etc. is just greed, a whole different animal indeed.

Exactly. I work for a social services organization now, and some of the stories -- and I use that term loosely, perhaps situations would be a better word -- are just absolutely heartwrenching. Yes, there are food pantries and soup kitchens out there, but they are feeling the squeeze also, donations are down and need is up, and I see it on a daily basis. I consider myself very lucky to have a job, my family and I have our home and clothing and heat, we can pay our bills no problem............... My level of compassion has risen considerably, and I wish I could help more than what I do now. There are people who have never, ever, ever had to ask for help before and a lot of them are taking a serious hit to their self respect, never having been in this position before. I've been in that position myself, and believe me, it can be very demeaning with the attitude of others seeing someone using WIC vouchers or food stamps or anything along those lines. I never imagined I would be looked down upon by someone because I was, as a last resort, asking for assistance and then using that assistance -- and this was about 12 years ago, when the economy was roaring along and my husband and I found ourselves unexpectedly in a real time of need.

Had I the option this would have been sent to "ALL", this is not addressed to SAUGUS BOATER in particular, and sorry for the ramble, it's just a subject near and dear to my heart.

As far as SB's comment: Breaking into someone's house and stealing flat screen t.v.'s, computers, etc. is just greed, a whole different animal indeed. -- Absolutely! Not to mention, in my experience of my home being invaded, a need for drug money -- and the "perpetrator" was being driven around by her attorney........... but that's another story!