Something to chew on

This is a toughie because I’ve seen what crack can do first hand to a relative…

I would give the money. I couldn’t control it either way since it’s a gift. Like, you can’t be mad at the bum on the street for going to buy alcohol with the money you drop in his cup b/c once you give it it’s not yours anymore… I feel like the same kind of applies here.

Or I just sounded really stupid.

I would go and buy food for the family instead of money.

Yup.

No.

Donate my time in soup kitchens, half-way homes and other programs to help hungry families and crack heads? Yes. Fork over money to be used however the family and crack head see fit? No.

Money does not fix problems. Money is a band-aid.

Of course I would! Yeah, crack is whack and all that (and I apologize, I’m sure someone has posted that already), but I really look at it as doing 2 good deeds. The addict WILL find a way to get their fix, and at least this time he or she will not be stealing, doing violence to others or selling themselves to do so. Win win.

Yes I would.

No. When I first read this, I thought, “Yes. Yes, of course.” But then I realized I face this decision almost every day when I pass the homeless on the street asking for money, and my answer is never “yes.”

I live in Santa Monica, Calif., a predominantly affluent area (which results in numerous, well-funded social services) with a lot of tourist traffic. It’s a draw for the down-and-out. There are just so many of them, at least two every 20 feet in shopping areas. How do I give to one and not another? So I don’t give to the people with cardboard signs; I hope my tax money is in the hands of people who can better prevent its going toward the wrong channels than these scenarios allow me to do. So far, it seems to be, relative to other areas I’ve lived in.

I’m fortunate—extremely fortunate—to live in a place where elected officials continue to prioritize funding for addressing mental illness and homelessness, as well as other issues I consider important uses of our collective money and industriousness, and I’m proud to live here for that reason. I don’t want to live anywhere that isn’t the case. Then again, I do, and that’s why I am more interested than ever in the people and outcome of this national election.

I guess my answer, in short, to that family would be this, “I’m not giving half of this money in my hand to you. I’m giving it all to these people over here who I trust will give it to you.” But again, I’m fortunate to live in a place where that trust has been well-placed. Other places I’ve lived, I might have given a different answer.

Give both families a food basket, then the crackhead would have to sell the food to get the money or trade it for crack–but at least all your money would buy food!

BTW, what’s the catch?

Yep.

If children are involved, yes. And then I would intervene through legal channels and my own resolve, because the crack addicted parent or relative connected to this family might be responsible for this family’s desperation. Extract the children and remain involved. Child advocacy is what my life is all about.

Absolutely. I didn’t even hesitate in thinking about it. I have never batted an eye at the thought that, when I give someone on the street money, they might use it to buy drugs or alcohol. I can only imagine that if I were in their shoes – and there have been times in my life when that scenario was easier to imagine than it is now – I would be looking for escape as well. Does it solve the problem to hand over my pocket change? No, of course not. Does it help that person? Maybe. The answer probably depends on how you define “help.”

I would hope that if I were ever truly faced with this “dilemma” I would be able to offer more than just money to both parties. Money rarely fixes all problems, but it sure does make it easier to address them.

Dang, Dooce, you have a great, generous readership overall, but those Republicans stand out like a sore and ugly thumb. ‘Tis a pity.

I would give the money. Although I have to say I have recently discovered one of those places where you put together meals and freeze them and I would probably do that instead, just because they’re so easy and delicious for someone like me, who has a car and a little free time. The crackhead might like it, too!

–Lisa

A few days ago I asked my 12-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter what they would do if they saw a poor-looking family (mom, dad, baby) at Target and the father was stealing baby formula.
My daughter said she would call a friend and them what she saw, but she would not tell any authority.
My son said he would offer to pay for the formula.
My daughter’s answer did not surprise me–typical teenager with a cell phone. My son, who NEVER has any money, was able to see outside of the lines—and speak to what SHOULD happen. If he had it–it was theirs!

Yes. We cannot eliminate welfare just because people abuse the system.

Yup. And already have. Doesn’t bother me.

Hell no! Throwing good money away benefits no one. Help the hungry find jobs to feed their children and take care of their families, and guide crackheads to rehab. Money doesn’t solve this problem.

First, when I read this last night, there were only ~150 comments; now, there are over 1,000. Why does that amaze me so? I don’t know…but it does.

Second, I’m calling bullshit on all of you “I would make the family dinner/give a basket of food or grocery gift cards” people. I’m in no position to debate the validity of the “conservatives donate more money annually than liberals do” comment, but I am confident that the vast majority of you have not and do not regularly go out of your way to attend personally to the needs of a hungry family. Perhaps you give through church, or the United Way, or to a local food bank, in hope that those agencies will verify need before providing their services…but you’re not going down into the ‘hood on a Wednesday night to drop off a casserole for Mom (who DOES work–full time as a teacher in a daycare center, no less–whose salary sort of covers the rent and utilities and gas, if by “sort of” you mean alternating months for paying the various utilities, or sending partial payments) and her four young kids.

There will always be people who take advantage and work the system. And there will, unfortunately, always be people who work hard, but do not earn enough to get by without some assistance. I’m pretty much the working poor myself, but I pay my taxes without complaining…just as I would if I made five or six times as much as I do now.

Yes. You can’t punish the family for what the crack addict is doing.

For sure. Drug addicts often find a way to get the money anyway (I know I sound like a jerk). It would be worth it to feed the family. After 700 comments you probably have your answer

Absolutely I would. Didn’t even have to think about it really.

We’re talking about politics here, so I am amswering in that realm.

Answer is no.

If those are the only two options, yes. I would always help a hungry child, given the chance.

Yes, I’d give it. The crackhead will find money somehow anyway to feed the crack habit, so it’s not like the end result there will be any different. But the hungry family might actually be helped.

I’d give the money, for the children. The crackhead will find a way to get high with or without my money. The family will a much more difficult time finding food.