Helping the homeless

There is much controversy, along with abundant handwringing, over California's homeless issue.

Eschewing quaint and beloved old age terms such as hoboes, vagrants, bums, and tramps, the concerned element have embraced calling them more elevated terms such as “houseless” and abode free. At any rate, politicians, editorialists, and community disorganizers all seem to agree that there is a problem, but aside from some spasmatic efforts at the city level, not much concrete has been poured.

Now, rumor has it, the state may mandate that cities pony up X number of beds per some pro-rata formula at local taxpayer expense. This may give the contagion more allure but no cure.

As a suggestion, possibly the down and out, who do not respond to positive rehabilitation suggestions and programs nor make an honest effort to improve their status, could be afforded free transportation to strategically situated “relocation centers.” (Maybe Manzanar is still available?) At these centers they can bond together in support group meetings, sharing and comparing their adventures and paths of least resistance. They could plant and tend small vegetable plots and gardens, getting them into healthy eating habits as well as fostering a sense of responsibility (Weeding would be welcome).

They could organize volleyball and softball teams to compete and provide healthy exercise along with hand/eye coordination, teamwork skills, and rule observing.

Who knows? Maybe a contingent of the younger guys could enlist in the army, gain a proud record, and earn national recognition.

Obviously, some will be outraged and take great umbrage when confronted by “A Modest Proposal” such as this, even though it will never be implemented. However, before we get into quality shrieking, rock throwing, and name calling, dust off the history books. The U.S. government did exactly the same thing to a group of highly productive and valuable citizens in 1942. — Bill Ferguson, Vacaville