Best paying job if you are uneducated & unemployed = Bum

Discussion in 'Economics' started by peilthetraveler, Jun 16, 2010.

  1. It doesn't surprise me in the least that some of these panhandlers literally make a good living off of it. I've seen the same guys in certain parts of Chicago and they have clearly put some forethought into the areas that they cover. One older guy has a few busy intersections and I've yet to see him not take in a few bucks at every red light I've been stuck in. I don't know how many red lights per hour there are, but just doing the math and he is easily double, tripling or more the minimum wage AND there are no taxes reported on all that cash he is taking in. Once in awhile, I'd bet he gets a $10 or $20, especially on the holidays and it's pretty clear the guy is definitely making a decent living off of this.

    Of course, most people don't really notice these sorts of things, so they'd never believe it. But it's a game of a couple bucks at a time, multiplied over 8-10 hours+ of working the same few corners. It most definitely adds up.
     
    #21     Jun 17, 2010
  2. 377OHMS

    377OHMS

    I can resist them unless they have a dog, then I start handing them money. Can't help it, I know I'm being played.
     
    #22     Jun 17, 2010
  3. Mercor

    Mercor

    Have you ever asked a panhandler if you could borrow a quarter, they are the most stingy people.
     
    #23     Jun 17, 2010
  4. I used to hang out in front of a Federal Courthouse with US Marshalls, every smoke break we could fit in, lunch included.
    We'd always ask the bums for money.
    We got so rowdy and loud once, a Judge sent down a clerk to tell us to shutup. His Honor could hear us on the 5th floor!
    Someone told the "Monkey and the 8 Ball" joke, and most of us had never heard it.
     
    #24     Jun 17, 2010
  5. birdman

    birdman

    #25     Jun 17, 2010
  6. why give them anything?

    they're either:
    1. someone playing you who doesn't really need the money
    2. an alcoholic or drug addict who will just blow all his money on his addiction
    3. mentally disturbed and refuses to go back to the asylum
    4. an ex-con

    none of the above deserve handouts.

    i'm sick of people saying "please help them because they're less fortunate". no they're not less fortunate; they just made dumb decisions and now they're paying for them.
     
    #26     Jun 18, 2010
  7. Yep...they get animals just so you will give them money. Its one of their tactics as they know many americans would let a man starve before they let a dog starve. This article confirms its one of the beggars weapons of choice.

    http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2255/how-much-money-do-beggars-make
     
    #27     Jun 18, 2010
  8. Retief

    Retief

    Even bums need a good business plan. Here's a bum with a lousy business plan:

    <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=2874994>
     
    #28     Jun 18, 2010
  9. Retief

    Retief

    #29     Jun 18, 2010
  10. If one is pro free market and pro capitalism one should be perfectly ok with the concept of a beggar.

    If you think shaving your head, sticking feathers on it with glue and dance around in the street like a chicken will provide you with the necessary income to support yourself go for it.
     
    #30     Jun 18, 2010