Review the history here –
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1586.html
As I see it, a latter-day CCC could replace most of the so-called transitional living programs being run by both public and private agencies. I know from personal experience and study that nothing worthwhile is being accomplished in these schemes at either DOC-operated halfway houses or at nonprofit entities like Boulder Shelter for the Homeless.
A new CCC featuring military discipline would certainly be able to quickly separate the workers from the shirkers. The former group would receive benefits like room and board, health care, a clothing allowance, GED classes (I’m a MO-certified GED tutor, and I’d love to work in that capacity again), vocational training, mandatory savings of at least 33% of every paycheck, college scholarships, etc. The latter group would receive nothing at all, unless they qualify for a legitimate physical or mental disability under SSDI or SSI guidelines (drinking and drugging isn’t a disability, although both are disabling).
Not only the able-bodied homeless people currently on the streets, but most parolees and psychiatric patients who are compliant with their prescribed meds could be doing some useful form of labor in public service. All of the caseworkers and staff at the homeless shelters/day centers in America could be employed in similar ways in a new CCC.
Also, I’ve often thought that there ought to be a mandatory national service of at least two years for everyone in America who turns 18 years of age — with the options of military or civilian service. In this scenario, manpower for a new CCC would be plentiful. And the experience itself would have great value for everyone involved throughout their lifetimes.
Money? Well, consider all of the money spent currently by various social services agencies, public and private, with little or nothing to show for it in terms of long-term success for the homeless, parolees, and psychiatric patients. I think it’s time for a radical new approach, like a new CCC.
I agree. An excellent idea.
"Make it so, Number One!"
I, too, agree that this is an excellent idea! You've outlined other great ideas, Max, and because of them I believe you would make a wonderful city council member. I'd vote for you.
"A new Civilian Conservation Corps is needed…"
Involuntary labor camps. Make them bums WORK! They're just lazy, after all.
"A new CCC featuring military discipline would certainly be able to quickly separate the workers from the shirkers…"
I hear the crack of the whip. I hear the thudding of jackboots. I would not "voluntarily" enter such a camp. Ever hear of the "Warsaw Ghetto?" Heros.
"The latter group would receive nothing at all…"
So the Free freeze and starve.
Round them up against their will… if they *choose* to be homeless, well, they obviously cannot be trusted to execize their Free Will. We must do it for them.
"It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so."
– Will Rogers
Squirrel, you're almost scary . . .
<cont…>
Why wait? Make a line, right there at the bus station going to the camps, and decide. Who looks like an able-bodied potential worker? Who looks mentally ill, or drunk? Breathalyze them all.
Freezing and starving cost taxpayer's dollars, though. Burying the dead homeless people. Boulder's high-IQ, green. Make some DK-inspired "organic poison gas."
After all, we only have ten years to finish the Plan to end homelessness. That's "end," not "condone" or "tolerate" or "permit." We need a final solution, a Swiftian "Modest Suggestion."
Here in Boulder County, they're working on a Regional Ten Year Plan to Address Homelessness, and when it's finally published I hope to post a link to it here. What I know to this point seems quite positive and focuses on jobs, housing, and the whole range of needs which the homeless have.
<cont…>
"Psychiatric patients who are compliant with their prescribed meds…" Saw a guy with TD the other day. Tardive dyskinesia. He kept sticking his tongue out, grunting, and making weird faces. Psych meds can cause that. It can last forever, even if you stop the meds. May people choose not to take these meds.
Many people feel that it is their right, not their doctors or some bureaucrat, to decide the nature of their health care and the way they cope with their mental illness. Some place their faith in God, many self-medicate, etc.
I love this plan!
To me, it's just evil to dump the severely mentally ill onto the streets, where they are victimized by those other homeless people who are sociopaths and predators.
The "right" to be assaulted, robbed, raped, or even killed because one is non compos mentis? Sorry; that's just crazy.
Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.