That's the way I see it. If you stand at the side of the road holding a sign that says "WILL WORK FOR FOOD" and you are there day in, day out collecting money on the sympathy of others. That IS your job. By definition, you are self-employed.
I'm sure there are people like this is every city now and more to follow. Some are homeless, some are down on their luck. Many cannot cope with society and the pressures of life. To some, it's actually a choice. Most have or had addictions that brought them to the streets. It's a sad fact of life and it's NOT going away.
I know a TV/Radio personality who has spent countless hours supporting a half-way house helping people who are on the street. Some of them don't actually 'want' to be helped. They will accept handouts, but they don't want to be 'pulled from the streets' as (strangely as it sounds) they find some comfort in the 'freedom' it affords.
So... a person who panhandles on a regular basis and has been doing it for years, has become a professional panhandler. It is therefore his/her occupation. Reality.
Every morning as I make my turn by The Home Depot going to the office, I see as many as 15 Spanish (illegal) immigrants waiting in the parking of a business next to Home Depot. Many have cellphones and some have bicycles for transportation. They wait in the lot for day labor. Hoping that someone will select them to 'bust their asses' for half a salary that an American gets paid. They eagerly await their turn to survive.
I'm not supporting hiring illegal immigrants, but my observation is: If given the choice to hire a hung-over cigarette smoking 40-50 year old street person or a 30-40 year old healthy Spanish speaking illegal... well, I can see why 'America' isn't being built by Americans anymore... Yes, before the 'correctness' group speak up, some of America isn't being built by (North) Americans.
This is a blog. it's MY BLOG, supported by my thoughts and opinions. It's a stand-alone blog. Perhaps your have different thoughts. Comments accepted. Foolish comments are often deleted.
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| Panhandler is an occupation... |
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Michael194
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Sep 5 @ 10:22AM
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I once was riding down the street and saw a panhandler holding up a sign, problem was the sign had nothing on it. I pulled over and asked him why he was holding up a blank sign, he replied he did'nt have anything to write with. 
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RebelleJen
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Sep 5 @ 10:36AM
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I've always thought that if you're going to panhandle, a good slogan for your sign might be "AT LEAST I WON'T MUG YOU. MAY I PLEASE HAVE SOME SPARE CASH?"
But yeah... it is sad but still true that there are many, many illegal immigrants who come here to work and do the jobs that are "too good" for us materialistic types that don't want to break our backs. I'm one of the latter -- and I do have to admire them for doing whatever it takes where they can to get by. You really can't knock that. The fact of the matter is that it costs a LOT more to be a citizen and work than it does to work under the table. They're saving boat loads just by being paid under the table.
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EternalFlame
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Sep 5 @ 10:42AM
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There's a Jack in the Box off of I-80 in Cordelia, CA. I stop there to use the bathroom nearly every time I drive to the SF Bay Area. And EVERY SINGLE TIME I stop there, there is a couple there with their car, holding up a sign that says "Out of Gas, Please help us get home!" *coughBULLSHITcough* You know, if you're going to panhandle, at least be honest! There is no way you've been living out of your car for freaking MONTHS and not able to get enough money for gas.
I'd be more apt to give them $$ if their sign said, "NEED BEER - NEED CASH" At least that's honesty.
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chatillion
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Sep 5 @ 10:48AM
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RebelleJen said:
...The fact of the matter is that it costs a LOT more to be a citizen and work than it does to work under the table. They're saving boat loads just by being paid under the table.
How so Jen?
The only people making money at this are the companies who hire illegals.
Some employees are charged off as casual labor, paid cash, no taxes deducted or paid to phony social security accounts and they are paid nearly half what Americans make.
That means the company pays less in workman's comp and there are no benefits... holidays, vacations, etc.
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RebelleJen
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Sep 5 @ 10:55AM
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Hm. I guess I didn't quite think that in-depth about it. All I know is that it is easier for them to be paid under the table. I guess it just *seems* like it'd be cheaper, but now that you broke it down for me (I tend to forget about all the mechanics of it, honestly), I can see your point.
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ragtopcookie
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Sep 5 @ 11:03AM
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I work in indianpolis......comming from a small town...ive never seen panhandlers before.....a few years ago...a few of us walked over to a hardes for breakfast and there were panhandlers in there asking for money to buy food....a guy i work with told him he would buy him some breakfast but wouldnt give him any money....and the guy went off on him......i stood up and called the manager over before i took matters into my own hands.....and he was kicked out.....when we were walking back to work...this panhandler was waiting outside for me.....got into my face......and i gave him the option to walk away....or be beaten within an inch of his life.....he chose to walk away.....still cant believe that he wanted money over something to eat....tryed to help him out..and he goes off the deep end.....enough is enough.......cookie
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singaporegal
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Sep 5 @ 11:17AM
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Can relate to your post. Where I'm from, we (Singaporeans) complain about cheap illegal foreign labour stealing our jobs. But if illegals are willing to work hard at menial tasks considered too dirty, too hard and too low class for the natives then the locals have to either change their attitude or shut up about the foreigners.Great post.
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jcarolina
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Sep 5 @ 11:40AM
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Considering that Americans will refuse to work and exist on the contributions of others.....
while Latinos/Hispanics will work their butts off and be grateful for the opportunity.....
hopefully we, as Americans, haven't all become so greedy that we're against a man simply trying to make a better life for his family.
Granted, there are other issues to consider, but all in all...I respect a man who holds his hand out to shake, not collect.
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RightWingRepublican
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Sep 5 @ 11:46AM
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I like this one "See if you can hit me with a Quarter"
 
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ladyvampire
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Sep 5 @ 11:54AM
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.....a few years ago...a few of us walked over to a hardes for breakfast and there were panhandlers in there asking for money to buy food....a guy i work with told him he would buy him some breakfast but wouldnt give him any money....and the guy went off on him......
The ones that do that obviously want that money for drugs or alcohol or cigarettes or all three.. that is why he got so pissed (he he serves him right!) If someone won't take an offer of food, they won't get the money from me.
I offered this one woman some food and she took it. Then I offered to help her with her rent. I went to where she lived and pay the half of month that she owed, and when I offered to help her with groceries, she refused. She had foodstamps, but because she was single, the state doesn't help with rent.
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CrackerJackPat
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Sep 5 @ 11:56AM
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Interesting concept.... one I never thought of before... and quite good as I sit here an snicker with you.
Another observation I am being slammed in the face with is that the jobs are primarily going to those who are bi-lingual regardless of qualifications etc. So folks... if you ain't bilingual... you may soon be SOL. (That ain't as in "school of life")
Good post.
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