I participated in the Memorial Walk To End Homelessness on Dec. 21.
I was impressed with the number of kind-hearted folks from the community who stood in support of those who are less fortunate. The number of homeless children and adults is staggering, to say the least.
It has been my experience from living and working in the low-income area of Lewiston that has shaped and molded my perceptions. I am not liberal-hearted, but I would rather describe myself as conservative and caring. I believe in hand-ups, not handouts.
I think a lot of money is wasted in the name of helping the poor. I have been around much too long and have seen way too many things to stay silent on the matter of homelessness.
What I have seen is that the number-one culprit leading to homelessness is the lack of ability to follow rules. Teenagers who are rebellious to the point of being riotous leave no choice for a parent but to tell them to take the door.
Employees leave their employers no choice but to fire those who will not comply with policies.
When people don’t follow rules, the probability of being thrown out in the streets from somewhere is pretty good. Even the homeless missions in town have to ask people to leave when such people don’t follow simple rules.
There are those people who are legitimate and struggle. They are the ones we need to help.
The Rev. Douglas Taylor, Lewiston
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