Public Pulse

January 18th, 2007

On Homeless Cats and Homeless People

Dear Editor

Your thoughtful, article on Escondido's homeless shelters in the January 11, 1007 edition of The Paper is the most comprehensive that I have seen/heard. Too many other such articles are shallow notes that seem to further particular agendas and serve primarily to fill space on pages. You are to be commended for presenting both sides to this issue, and not painting the Escondido City Council as heartless and uncaring.

I read the paper dilligently and enjoy your lead stories and joke column especially.

/s/Jerry Young
San Marcos

More on the Homeless Issue

I believe Mayor Pro-Tem Abed errs when he premises his argument on the “moral obligation to collectively provide.” What is moral about taking from those that have and giving it to those who, through whatever misfortune, have not? This simple misunderstanding of the difference between charity and welfare has more than just the City of Escondido in trouble.

“From each according to their ability, to each according to their need” did not work in the Soviet Union and, as a basic principle also will not work in the North County region. This morally bankrupt concept ultimately leads to an increase of the needy…loved the homeless feral cat analogy…and diminution of the able.

After some honest debate about the definition of homelessness, we can likely agree there are some who have, at least temporarily, a need for shelter. If I reach into my pocket to help find a solution to that need, I believe we have an applause worthy and arguably moral act of charity. When someone else reaches into my pocket for those funds, no matter how we may wish to sugarcoat the act by reference to the “moral obligation to collectively provide,” I believe we have a damnable and arguably immoral act of theft. And as a practical matter, in the end we will have increased homelessness.
/s/Allen E. Jones
Fort Worth TX 76103-1231

Likes the Profile

Lyle:

I don't now how you did it, but you made me actually sound important. Boy, would my mom have been proud.

So thanks a million for a great profile.

See you soon.

Have a sensational weekend.

Michael Wagman
Director of Communications and Marketing
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Escondido, Ca.