When I think of good capitalists, I think of Carnegie - if I remember correctly, his business practices earned him about $360 million, and he donated 90-some percent of that to charities. I've had my share of the city and ran across a number of people living on the streets. They're not all high-school dropouts turned into winos. I've even briefly conversed with a couple of them who seemed fairly intelligent. The fact does remain though, that many of them are freeloaders who will not get a job, and will beg for money for the rest of their lives. Fine, if that's the lifestyle they're content with. Indeed, throwing them money doesn't really help their situation. However, I strongly believe that we should help out the ones who are ready and willing to get back on their feet. Regardless, if a bum asks me for money, he usually gets it and I hope that he at least spends it on food and not booze.
Originally posted by Woodencross:
I can guess what I said that you have a problem with! 
Originally posted by Davo:
What discussion did you start? All you did was post an article. Those who responded are the ones that started the discussion. Since your post simply contained an article some may consider inflammatory, and no opening of discussion, your post was flamebait.
Stereotyped? Stereotyping is done only with limited input. I think we have plenty of information to classify you the way we do. The claim of being stereotyped is usually a defense mechanism against reasonable judgement that those being judged are uncomfortable with.
Yes, I posted an article that instigated a discussion to which you are not contributing. If you must know, I was on my way to class and figured I'd just post the article and jump in on the discussion when I had more free time. FYI you do have limited input about me - you only know me through this online site, and that is not enough by which to judge someone. For the record, yes, I am uncomfortable with being judged. I haven't done that to anyone else here, so you'd think I'd get the same courtesy. Not that I'm surprised; people like you seem to have a problem with people like me, and I can't say that it's not with good reason.
Originally posted by BP:
Originally posted by Big_B:
At my church the pastor does have sermons on how debt, personal finances, and other monetary matters.
of course he does. the tithe basket depends on it. last couple times i went to church it seemed like they were passing that thing around for the whole service.
Another thing I hate about churches. Matthew 6:24: "No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches."
Originally posted by Big_B:
There is a difference between simply being poor or facing unfortunate circumstances and being a complete nuisance on me and the rest of society.
Very true. Therein is the key, I think. However, the article addressed things far beyond the perspective of domestic poverty on an individual basis. Don't forget that the majority of the world's population lives in poverty-stricken countries, and one of the article's points was that the USA as a nation donates very little to help people in such a situation. Unlike in this country, they wouldn't be able to get out of a life of povetry even if they wanted to. For better or worse, government assistance is unheard of. 
