When a right goes wrong

America allows the homeless the right to remain mentally incompetent, addicted, and free to die miserably, unseen and easily forgotten.

Bring back vagrancy laws, and stop allowing humans to live lower than animals. We take better care of strays and pets than we do our fellow man. This is a blight on humanity. To say otherwise is blatant denial.

We need a process, not just laws, to rehabilitate people so they can live above animal existence. First, we must care. A triage for determining where to send our outcasts ought to be established in every town and city. Rehab centers, mental-health facilities, skills assessments, and labor communities are do-able and mandatory if we are to be good and compassionate citizens. Most people don’t want to be unemployed and useless. Those who live in this manner usually are quite broken down by rejection and regrets. Some, and I see them all the time, have been raised on the streets and know no better.

Not all the homeless want to be homeless. I didn’t. Most of you wouldn’t. Those who’ve never erred in judgment or lost everything to chance, throw the first stone. I won’t hold my breath.

Stravo Lukos

Spokane