Paul Johnson, who is homeless, struggles to walk on Stout Street in Denver last June. (Craig F. Walker, The Denver Post)
Re: “Yes, we can end homelessness — we just need the will,” Jan. 4 letter to the editor.
Letter-writer Donald Burnes’ reply to Vincent Carroll’s very reasonable statements about the homeless (“No miracle cure for homeless,” Dec. 28 column) is a prime example of the significant failure of our anti-poverty programs and many of the recipients. Burnes suggests more funding and services instead of talking about ways the homeless can help themselves. Certainly there is nothing wrong with giving a hand up. But just how long are we required to give handouts to support the bad decisions of others? How long do the rest of us have to pay for individuals who smoke too much, drink too much, do drugs, fail to complete even a basic education, or have a lifetime of bad decision-making? Just how many chances do we supply? As a society, we have failed to answer these questions. Can we afford to continue to leave them unanswered?
William F. Hineser, Arvada
This letter was published in the Jan. 10 edition.
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