Home Sweet Home

 

From the time we could walk on two legs scouring the landscape for fruits and bugs to keep us alive, when the weather got threatening, we stood under a tree (for climbing had lost it’s thrill) or find a cave for shelter. Once we found fire our new home would get rather smoky without any windows.

As our family grew larger, we had to move to another neighborhood. With extended family members we formed tribes.

We migrated into parts unknown but others were living there. These were indigents who had already staked their claim on a plot of soil to raise their brew.

Sharing abundance was never our prime suite, so we cut down the timbers and diverted waters and even kidnapped a few until there was opposition to our aggression. Mono a mono.

With the knowledge of how to use tools, we built walls around our shelters. Was it to protect others from taking our stuff or to keep our stuff in? Ask the insurance agent.

As we left the rural farming culture to industrial society, cities were created. Buildings were built around factories to house the workers. With this congregation of former vagabonds came the need to fresh water, sanitation and markets. As the cities grew larger telephones were needed to communicate to one-another and then electricity came so we could plug in our televisions.

Still some still wanted to wander. The gypsies and nomads continued to search for new adventures that turned into a tourist industry.

For the rest to settle down to a good job with benefits and a retirement plan, a plot of land, a wife and two kids and a house with a garage was the ideal. Old farmland was divided up and sold in lots called suburbia and real estate agents loved the banks lending money.

If you didn’t have the money to purchase land there was plenty to go around. Cross the line and pitch a tent and you become a camper. Borders were disturbed as trespassing against vagrants.

Those with extra cash built multiple room buildings to loan the space to those who could pay the rent. Some were called apartments and some were called hotels, but all were for temporary occupancy and then vacancy.

Jump ahead when an approximate 30 million have become unemployed and unable to pay for food, health and rent.

The way the game is played, you have so many days to pay your rent until you get an eviction notice. With no options your ‘stuff’ will be put out on the street.

Now everyone else will be complaining about the homeless. The charities will do what they can with funds from those complaining and the governmental handouts from the taxpayers.

Like the migrants who wander across the border to produce our crops and pluck our fowl, if without the proper paperwork, will be placed in detention camps.

Some are called prisons. Some are called retention centers. Some are called ghettos.

Once a locality takes charge of people who have nothing, they take the responsibility to shelter, clothe, feed and bed. There are medical assistance and occupational assistance for those who are just looking to survive day-to-day.

For the others will be under bridges or on park benches.

Does anyone consider the empty rooms available during the day?

If the hotel isn’t booked to capacity for a convention there is a vacancy. When people go to the office their home is empty. Most homes have more rooms that are being occupied. Office buildings are empty during the evening hours.

Our species just want a place to keep warm and dry.