|
|
Post by rom on Sept 9, 2016 14:42:45 GMT -5
An iphone 6 is hardly a necessity. There are many, many other more affordable options out there, including those new government subsidized phones for families living under the poverty level.
Agreed. Not to get too OT here, but I don't have an I-phone at all, just a regular cell phone without Internet or texting.
I understand some may need I-phones for their job/career. However, I have seen some homeless people out there panhandling & they have I-phones. WTF?! If they've got enough money to pay for an I-phone & the related bills, they shouldn't be out there asking others for money. Sickening.
|
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 9, 2016 14:53:03 GMT -5
Re: the comic book store owner in the OP, these guys run a business and probably don't care where the comic books came from - and didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth. So, he's probably no different than most/all other business others.
The real person at fault in this story is the woman's ex, not the comic book store owner.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ish Kabbible on Sept 9, 2016 15:01:44 GMT -5
An iphone 6 is hardly a necessity. There are many, many other more affordable options out there, including those new government subsidized phones for families living under the poverty level.
Agreed. Not to get too OT here, but I don't have an I-phone at all, just a regular cell phone without Internet or texting.
I understand some may need I-phones for their job/career. However, I have seen some homeless people out there panhandling & they have I-phones. WTF?! If they've got enough money to pay for an I-phone & the related bills, they shouldn't be out there asking others for money. Sickening.
There is a government program that gives qualified low income people a very basic cellphone with limited free minutes per month. They don't pay and it helps them in emergency situations and staying in contact with social services or friends or family. It's not sickening if you know what its all about |
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 9, 2016 16:33:43 GMT -5
Agreed. Not to get too OT here, but I don't have an I-phone at all, just a regular cell phone without Internet or texting.
I understand some may need I-phones for their job/career. However, I have seen some homeless people out there panhandling & they have I-phones. WTF?! If they've got enough money to pay for an I-phone & the related bills, they shouldn't be out there asking others for money. Sickening.
There is a government program that gives qualified low income people a very basic cellphone with limited free minutes per month. They don't pay and it helps them in emergency situations and staying in contact with social services or friends or family. It's not sickening if you know what its all about Yes, but are these phones expensive I-phones with games, Internet, streaming, etc? If so, I don't feel that a government program should be paying for that. |
|
|
|
Post by Ish Kabbible on Sept 9, 2016 16:42:39 GMT -5
There is a government program that gives qualified low income people a very basic cellphone with limited free minutes per month. They don't pay and it helps them in emergency situations and staying in contact with social services or friends or family. It's not sickening if you know what its all about Yes, but are these phones expensive I-phones with games, Internet, streaming, etc? If so, I don't feel that a government program should be paying for that. As I said, very basic. No games, no camera, no streaming, hardly any memory capacity. It might have a cheap web browser but that eats into the small amount of monthly free minutes you are credited.Besides what I wrote it also would help someone get a job. Its a very low cost benefit that can pay off with improving someone's hardship immensely |
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 9, 2016 16:49:21 GMT -5
Yes, but are these phones expensive I-phones with games, Internet, streaming, etc? If so, I don't feel that a government program should be paying for that. As I said, very basic. No games, no camera, no streaming, hardly any memory capacity. It might have a cheap web browser but that eats into the small amount of monthly free minutes you are credited.Besides what I wrote it also would help someone get a job. Its a very low cost benefit that can pay off with improving someone's hardship immensely OK - Thanks for the explanation. But, that doesn't mean that there aren't scammers out there: wgntv.com/2014/11/12/pregnant-panhandler-stirs-up-anger-after-driving-off-in-a-mercedes-benz/www.thedenverchannel.com/news/trending/watch-man-confronts-panhandler-driving-luxury-car |
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,872
|
Post by shaxper on Sept 9, 2016 16:56:44 GMT -5
Well, to the best of my knowledge, the government assistance phones don't look like iphones, right? So Rom and Ish's points are both valid.
|
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 9, 2016 17:06:41 GMT -5
Well, to the best of my knowledge, the government assistance phones don't look like iphones, right? So Rom and Ish's points are both valid. Agreed. I've just had a lot of scams attempted on me too many times to have much sympathy for people who claim to be down on their luck. However, I don't want to de-rail this thread too much so...back on topic. |
|
shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,872
|
Post by shaxper on Sept 9, 2016 17:11:46 GMT -5
Well, to the best of my knowledge, the government assistance phones don't look like iphones, right? So Rom and Ish's points are both valid. Agreed. I've just had a lot of scams attempted on me too many times to have much sympathy for people who claim to be down on their luck. When someone asks me for money, I never ever give it (I've had too many bad experiences back in New York to ever consider opening my wallet in front of a stranger again), but I don't ignore them and walk by either. Instead, I look them in the eye, smile, and tell them I'll be thinking of them and hoping things turn around soon. Some get confused, and some get annoyed, but I like to think the ones truly struggling appreciate a sincere well-wish and being seen as an equal human being more than getting a buck from me. A friend of mine used to walk beggars to a store, buy them a sandwich, and eat with them. I get it, but it also seems a bit arrogant to assume this stranger wants your company. The other week, I passed a beggar in a downpour. I was driving and he was out getting soaked. I gave him my umbrella. Funny how I don't mind giving away a ten dollar item, and yet I don't feel right giving an actual dollar. |
|
|
|
Post by Icctrombone on Sept 9, 2016 17:43:26 GMT -5
Sometimes I give to beggars and sometimes I don't. I've bought food for some and I've gotten to the point where I don't worry about being scammed. Each situation is different.
|
|
|
|
Post by rom on Sept 9, 2016 18:00:49 GMT -5
Good feedback, everyone - Thanks. Several points:
First, I also will never take out my wallet for a beggar either - not just because I don't like giving money anymore, but because I'm also concerned about getting my wallet stolen/taken. I have come close to getting mugged in the past, and will never give these people a chance to do so again.
Second, a lot of beggars will not accept food - they will only want money.
Third, I have given money to beggars and have had them be very ungrateful, and say, "That's it?" They should be glad I'm giving them anything, especially since I rarely carry cash on me to begin with.
|
|
|
|
Post by Ish Kabbible on Sept 9, 2016 18:39:10 GMT -5
There sure are street people scam artists, druggies and alcoholics. They are irritants but can be avoided
What really bothers me are the corporate scammers,millionaire rip off artists and high government taxes and fees. When half my paycheck is evaporated before I cash it and businesses charge exorbitant rates to keep their board of directors happy. Can't call the cops against these clowns or cross the street to avoid them.
Now back to your regularly scheduled program
|
|
|
|
Post by Icctrombone on Sept 9, 2016 19:41:50 GMT -5
It's the sad state of the world that businesses with near monopolies can gouge regular working people. What can you do? Whenever tolls on the Verrazano go up ( it's at 16 dollars now) we can do nothing but pay. We have no choice.
|
|
|
|
Post by Roquefort Raider on Sept 10, 2016 13:03:33 GMT -5
It's the sad state of the world that businesses with near monopolies can gouge regular working people. What can you do? Whenever tolls on the Verrazano go up ( it's at 16 dollars now) we can do nothing but pay. We have no choice. The Bernie Sanders supporters saw an opportunity to change things. I hope that movement will continue in the future. We must use our common democratic power to force our laws to change. It is insane to allow Big Money to decide what our laws will be, but in this world where companies are considered persons and allowed to express their "freedom of speech" by spending gazillions in favour of this guy or that guy, we cannot hope to see ordinary people prevail without major changes in the system. In many countries of the world, it is downright illegal for companies to help get someone elected. It is illegal for a company to give money to a political campaign. And it is illegal for anyone to give more than a small amount of money to any campaign, for fear that the rich would have an undue bearing on the proceedings. Even so the well-off manage to gain a lot of influence, but at least the foxes aren't in charge of the chicken coop. How can it be seen as normal that so much of our economy today isn't in the production of goods and services but in finance? How do people become zillionaires not by creating jobs but by shifting money from one account to the next and back again day after day? How can we allow speculation to be an economic strategy? (Cue a discussion about slabbed comics, as this is a comic-book board!  ) |
|
)