Sanitized Society
Life is not always fair35 total reviews
Comment from nancy_e_davis
I won't go into detail, but my family is doing what we can for three such individuals now. It is not that difficult to lend a helping hand and treat someone with love and respect because you get it back from them. It does seem to be hopeless at times the need is so widespread, but look to those nearby and help if you can. Well done, Margaret. Nancy:)
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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I won't go into detail, but my family is doing what we can for three such individuals now. It is not that difficult to lend a helping hand and treat someone with love and respect because you get it back from them. It does seem to be hopeless at times the need is so widespread, but look to those nearby and help if you can. Well done, Margaret. Nancy:)
Comment Written 12-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Thank you, Nancy. In the old days, when problems developed, it was family who helped family. I was raised that way, but drugs were not as much as a problem at that point in time. Thanks for your great review. Margaret ~ LateBloomer
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
Amen, I agree. That's why I volunteer weekly at a non-profit in my town. This is a well-written essay. However, there are parts that are repetitive and could be used to give stats about the homeless adults and teens on the mean streets of our nation. Thanks for writing the essay in a clear and large font. The visual fits well. Hopefully, your essay will make others think about what they may do to help those less fortunate.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Amen, I agree. That's why I volunteer weekly at a non-profit in my town. This is a well-written essay. However, there are parts that are repetitive and could be used to give stats about the homeless adults and teens on the mean streets of our nation. Thanks for writing the essay in a clear and large font. The visual fits well. Hopefully, your essay will make others think about what they may do to help those less fortunate.
Comment Written 12-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Hi Sandra, thank you for your thoughtful review and for sharing your thoughts which mean a lot to me. Yes, there are parts of the story that are repetitive. I didn't realize it when I wrote it and read and re-read it many time. However, in the middle of the night, it hit. I meant to go back and give it another look before releasing, but when morning came, it slipped my mind until you pointed it out. Down the road, I'll probably fine tune this a bit more. On the other hand, sometimes people need to hear things multiple times to absorb it. I think school teachers do this - lol. Unfortunately, the homeless problem is huge, and dysfunctional homes are even a bigger issue. These children need to be rescued. Another sad issue is that so many of these situations become political vs. a humanitarian issue. Thanks for stopping by my writing pad. LateBloomer
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I agree with you wholeheartedly on all you have written in your reply. Sometimes old folks not talking about you but me also need information repeated. LOL You are welcome.
Comment from GARY MACLEAN
That is a pretty "finger-pointing" question. One that needs to be asked and is too often never addressed.
Para 4, 3rd sentence: SUGGEST (pasts) instead of (past)
Para 4, 5th sentence: Delete (what) it is already established with (that)
There are so many, sometimes it is over-powering just trying to figure out where to start. It seems we cannot always put faith in the organizations that are designed to distribute our donated funds either.
It remains a quandary for all of society to continue to question.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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That is a pretty "finger-pointing" question. One that needs to be asked and is too often never addressed.
Para 4, 3rd sentence: SUGGEST (pasts) instead of (past)
Para 4, 5th sentence: Delete (what) it is already established with (that)
There are so many, sometimes it is over-powering just trying to figure out where to start. It seems we cannot always put faith in the organizations that are designed to distribute our donated funds either.
It remains a quandary for all of society to continue to question.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Gary, you are right. Where do we start? I think we need to start with the children. Perhaps, the children need to be removed from these home, not for a few weeks or months, but long term in cases of mental illness, drug abuse, etc. Perhaps, a boarding school set-up. Parent can visit, and with improvement, children go home for the weekend when appropriate--get these parents working and contributing to society. Something like this would come with a heavy price tag. We as a Nation give not millions, but billions of dollars away. We pay for everything else, if we want to or not. I'm not a liberal. I consider this to be a humanitarian effort. Gary, you are right. We cannot always put faith in organizations. There is always someone who is looking to line their pocket.
I have another housing idea. Small apartments in a large apartment complex. Families are grouped by age of children. Instead of individual kitchens, each floor or every other floor has a community kitchen. Everyone shares the chores--food shopping, preparing food, cooking, serving, cleanup, etc. One hand helping another, and all adults work, even if it is parttime, and they pay their fair share. Also, child care would be on premises and taken care of and shared by the parents. Everyone participating and doing their share. There would be paid supervisors to oversee the day-to-day operation. Community TV rooms--not every apartment having multiple TV's. Community Library, etc. It should be a modest lifestyle and a stepping stone to get out on your own.
Gary like you said, it's a quandary. There has to be a better system, because the current system is broken.
Thank you for the suggested corrections. I will make them.
Have a good night. Margaret ~ LateBloomer
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
I agree, Margaret. To me, it's a catch 22 situation. Everyone
could help, but many are like those you mentioned. Every
community has people in need. Taken as a whole, it is a shame
our society as a whole reacts as it does. You did a great job
expressing y our thoughts and feelings. I could feel the
compassion in your words. As the US continues to spiral
down at a fast pace, who, but the children, will be here to help,
if possible, to get it back on track?
Thanks for sharing and caring, Jan
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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I agree, Margaret. To me, it's a catch 22 situation. Everyone
could help, but many are like those you mentioned. Every
community has people in need. Taken as a whole, it is a shame
our society as a whole reacts as it does. You did a great job
expressing y our thoughts and feelings. I could feel the
compassion in your words. As the US continues to spiral
down at a fast pace, who, but the children, will be here to help,
if possible, to get it back on track?
Thanks for sharing and caring, Jan
Comment Written 11-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Jan, it's sad to say, but for some adults, it's too late. All we can do is get them to the point where they care for themselves. But for the children, it's a clean slate of hope ... if only we can give them the hope that they have not been born with.
Comment from dellsworthpoet
An interesting point of view. And you are right, save the family unit, but not at any price.
The flow is good. The language is straight forward. The images are sharp. The arguments are well stated and the conclusion is well written.
Thanks for a good read.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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An interesting point of view. And you are right, save the family unit, but not at any price.
The flow is good. The language is straight forward. The images are sharp. The arguments are well stated and the conclusion is well written.
Thanks for a good read.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Thank you, dellsworthpoet, for your great review and for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate the time spent. LateBloomer
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You are welcome.
Comment from Olivanne Marsh
It does seem sometimes like people turn a blind eye to the less fortunate. I think it's because the problems seem overwhelming. I have no idea how to help, and if I can't help I tend to want to stay out of the situation. Then the problem becomes if nobody knows what to do, who will help. I think the part your essay doesn't address is the most telling, what have some people done to help? How has that worked out? If there is a better way, what is it? I think in order to get involved, people have to know what they can do. It's like giving CPR, if you know what it is and how to do it, in an emergency situation you could save a life. If you don't, you could make matters worse. I also think, the kinds of problems you are talking about are not helped through individual action alone, these are societal ills and society must address them, which means we all must work together, which I think is your point.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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It does seem sometimes like people turn a blind eye to the less fortunate. I think it's because the problems seem overwhelming. I have no idea how to help, and if I can't help I tend to want to stay out of the situation. Then the problem becomes if nobody knows what to do, who will help. I think the part your essay doesn't address is the most telling, what have some people done to help? How has that worked out? If there is a better way, what is it? I think in order to get involved, people have to know what they can do. It's like giving CPR, if you know what it is and how to do it, in an emergency situation you could save a life. If you don't, you could make matters worse. I also think, the kinds of problems you are talking about are not helped through individual action alone, these are societal ills and society must address them, which means we all must work together, which I think is your point.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Thank you for your four-star review and for sharing your thoughts which I appreciate. These problems are huge and best handled by professionals which always need financial assistance and volunteers. Everyone can do something--even if it means stuffing envelopes or contributing to a food pantry. Basically, the current system is broken and needs a huge overhaul. That's a real problem.
LateBloomer
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
We have become a sanitized society is the answer. And I would suggest that in reaching out to give the less fortunate a new and better life, we offer ourselves a better life.
Great read, Margaret.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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We have become a sanitized society is the answer. And I would suggest that in reaching out to give the less fortunate a new and better life, we offer ourselves a better life.
Great read, Margaret.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Pam, thank you for your great review and for sharing your thoughts which I appreciate. I guess if we "all" strived for a better life many of these problems would dissolve on their own. Once again, thank you for your thoughtful review. Margaret ~ LateBloomer
Comment from LJbutterfly
I agree that many adult problems began during childhood. Prior to retiring from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a counselor for returning vets, part of my job was to visit homeless shelters. In doing so, I learned that many people are homeless for a variety of reasons. I wrote a story I have not posted called, "What I Learned on the Streets." Shocking. We, as a society turn a "blind eye" to the needs of homeless people. If we look, we must then take some action. That's what we DON'T want to do. Thank you for shinning a light on this unfortunate population.
reply by the author on 13-Sep-2022
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I agree that many adult problems began during childhood. Prior to retiring from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a counselor for returning vets, part of my job was to visit homeless shelters. In doing so, I learned that many people are homeless for a variety of reasons. I wrote a story I have not posted called, "What I Learned on the Streets." Shocking. We, as a society turn a "blind eye" to the needs of homeless people. If we look, we must then take some action. That's what we DON'T want to do. Thank you for shinning a light on this unfortunate population.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 13-Sep-2022
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Hello butterfly, thank you for your thoughtful review and for sharing your thoughts, especially "I learned that many people are homeless for a variety of reasons." This is so true. Some of them want to live on the street, don't want responsibility of housing, are afraid to live in a shelter, have mental health issues, it's all a mixed bag and a complicated issue as you know first-hand from your career. Once again, thank you. LateBloomer
Comment from Thomas Blanks
This story is right on the mark. Good for you for writing it! I have never been one to talk about Jesus, and I do not go to church, but I am always kind to those in need, and I give both money and time to help. I recall when I was an FBI Agent in New York. My partner read the Bible every day and was constantly giving people unwanted advice. One day we were on our way to interview someone on a case, and a homeless man asked us for money to get a hamburger. I stopped and pulled a few bucks out of my wallet. My friend, "the Christian," said to the man, "Why don't you get a job?"
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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This story is right on the mark. Good for you for writing it! I have never been one to talk about Jesus, and I do not go to church, but I am always kind to those in need, and I give both money and time to help. I recall when I was an FBI Agent in New York. My partner read the Bible every day and was constantly giving people unwanted advice. One day we were on our way to interview someone on a case, and a homeless man asked us for money to get a hamburger. I stopped and pulled a few bucks out of my wallet. My friend, "the Christian," said to the man, "Why don't you get a job?"
Comment Written 11-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2022
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Hi Tom, thank you for your thoughtful review and for sharing your thoughts which mean a lot to me. I share your feelings regarding some "pillars of the church." I can relate to your homeless story and I can see the whole scene. Just sharing, I grew up in NYC's Hell's Kitchen. As an FBI man, you know the type of people that I grew up with. They were all around me. My mom kept us all on the straight and narrow even though she herself worked 2 full-time jobs. None of us had problems with the law and/or alcohol or drugs. My dad did enough drinking for all of us. Thanks for sharing, and I shared right back. Lol. LateBloomer
Comment from lyenochka
Great questions to raise our consciousness about the hurting in our society! This shows your caring and compassionate heart, Margaret! We have been told that it's not good to just give money to those who ask on the street, though sometimes we do. Mostly, we support the missions that help the homeless like the Lighthouse Mission. They also work with the social services to recognize what they need and how best and safely to get involved.
reply by the author on 13-Sep-2022
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Great questions to raise our consciousness about the hurting in our society! This shows your caring and compassionate heart, Margaret! We have been told that it's not good to just give money to those who ask on the street, though sometimes we do. Mostly, we support the missions that help the homeless like the Lighthouse Mission. They also work with the social services to recognize what they need and how best and safely to get involved.
Comment Written 11-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 13-Sep-2022
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Hi Helen, thank you for your great review and for sharing your thoughts which mean a lot to me. This problem is huge, and does need to be handled by professionals for obvious reasons. If somehow the children could be removed from such a toxic environment, they might have a chance. Margaret ~ LateBloomer
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Bless you for your caring heart!! I know the Lord hears your prayers 💕🙏
