How safe is downtown Laconia?

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

I'm sorry, but there is something unacceptable to me about begging strangers for money in America: it should NOT be allowed.

Nor should sleeping in tents and tarps on sidewalks and other public places.

The homeless have failed: rather than expose us to their blight the government should force them to change into better, more productive citizens.

Set up a new CCC / WPA for them; induce the young ones, the druggies looking for purpose, to join the military, Peace Corps, or analogous organizations.

Time to reevaluate the situation before it sinks us all.

We induced the situation.

You don't become an alcoholic if you have never consumed alcohol.
You don't mind being temporarily housed in a non-smoking facility, if you have never smoked.
You have less chance of becoming homeless if you have built an emergency fund cushion and you don't live beyond your means.

But our society doesn't value those things they way we should.

In any case, we can't shoot them for just being annoying.