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Superstore parking lot on Sargent  A rant by: 30something it's happenned twice now. While loading up my car with groceries I have been asked for change. This is driving me batty. What is happenning with this city? Why are there more panhandlers here than there are in Vancouver, and montreal? They are all over the place here! not just in certain areas. And the unemployment rate is lower than it has been in 32 years. A friend of mine suggested that it is because of all the people addicted to crack now. I never thought of this. what do you think it is? << Back Add a Comment Comments ( Add a Comment ) singlemom says: 2006-04-12 23:25:19 These were all the people who used to be able to get welfare quite easily. Now no one without children is allowed to get welfare. I have definitely noticed a sharp increase in panhandlers since welfare reform. I somehow doubt that they get enough money through panhandling to buy crack. BigB says: 2006-04-13 09:25:40 The reason for more panhandlers isnt because welfare is cut. It's because people like you try to sympathize with them by giving money. In fact all giving money does is support the problem it doesn't resolve. Also, crack isnt as expensive as you think. duckgirl says: 2006-04-17 17:52:12 Why don't they solve the problem by making it illegal for bleeding hearts to give money to panhandlers? There are a ton of jobs out there I'v heard? Isnt the unemployment rate the lowest it has been in 32 years? Why are they having difficulty hiring people? Why are there still people on the streets at all? Anonymous says: 2006-04-20 22:04:39 I feel quite ackward when I am approached, because I don't think I am benefiting them when I dish out some of my change. My aunt owns a resturant on ellice, and one day a panhandler was crying outside her place during her busiest hour. So the lady who is crying enters the resturant and starts bothering my aunts customers. so my aunt kindly approaches the panhadler and asks if she could get her anything. She says she is very hungry and has no money. So my aunt offers hot soup, sandwich and coffee, (on the house)the lady refuses and says she wants donut and coffee. But My aunt doesn\\\'t have donuts, so the women was so rude and told her she wanted a donut a second time or money and made a scene in front of all my aunts customers. She was so mortified she still to this day can\\\'t understand this perons ungratefulneess. Anyways I thought I share that family experience with you all. BigB says: 2006-04-26 09:27:29 That's a good story anon, get a login and start speakin up more. also, u can read some unrelated ranting in the back lane. Some of my finest work is showcased there. About the panhandlers, i realize that some of these people are incapable of having jobs. But i'm sure there are some people that are very capable and just too lazy to do anything about it. Don't get me wrong the aholes that sit on their couches eating cheetos while on EI or welfare are almost as bad as the panhandlers. Except they just take our money and dont ask for more. twistedmanitoba says: 2006-05-01 15:16:16 i have an idea!!! next time someone asks ''do you have any spare change?'' do what i do and say 'yes' and keep walking! i hate the fact that you see people bumming for scratch when they are wearing a shwack load of expensive clothes! if they need money that bad why don't they sell their shoes or shop at value village Phillip says: 2006-05-01 21:02:06 I remember back in to good old days. Cars were cars and Hippes were crushed under Thatcher's jackboot. Those were the good olde days. If only someone in the Canadian government could have the bollocks to get it done.... That'll never happen because you're all too weak. Winnipegger says: 2006-12-07 19:04:45 We shop there every week, and we never have a problem!! IRS says: 2006-12-08 10:32:08 I never give \'em anything! Don\'t encourage them! Really! I may be poor, but I never ask strangers for money. When a beggar (face it, that\'s what they are) asks me for money I just say matter-of-factly, \"Sorry, I\'m broke, too!\" Years ago, while I was downtown one Friday or Saturday afternoon, a young guy in his twenties gave me a sob story asking for $2.00 for something to eat. Well, two hours later, the same guy walked right past me carrying a case of beer in his hand! It was at least a 12-pack, too! The jerk was just hustling for beer money so he could party hearty that night!!! It was then that I vowed to never, ever give anything to a stranger ever again. It\'s good, too. Because, since then, I ran into that beggar/scammer that was featured in The Winnipeg Sun earlier this year. You know the one that carries a briefcase and tells a story about running out of gas and having to get back to Selkirk or somewhere? I fixed him good when I said, \"Sorry, I\'m broke, too!\" This is one Winnipegger who hasn\'t supported that scam artist! However, the people who play music or perform for donations are a different story. They are called Buskers, I think. At least they do something for their money. They don\'t get in your face and hassle or scam you. Some of them are pretty talented, too. IRS GreatFlatLand says: 2006-12-14 13:02:28 I think that there are several reasons people ask for money. There are some people who have obvious addictions to drugs or alcohol and there are also those with mental health problems that do not permit them to work. I don\'t think that all panhandlers should be painted with the same brush. Yes, some are out to get what they can to go buy alcohol. Others do not have an oportunity to put their lives together as is the case with people with mental health issues. It really is a judgement call. |
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This shouldn't be too much of a surprise to anyone who frequents the area. I am not sure if they are the same "BUMS" as the ones I always see at St. James and Ness Ave, but it could be. Read the rant I put on pan handlers - Father and Son.