Go Greyhound And Leave The Homeless To Them

Jonathan at Mangled Cat has an eye opening post on the efforts of some Minnesota counties to ship "our" homeless people to other states. From an article in the DenverPost:

Over the past four years, two counties in Minnesota have given free, one-way tickets to some 4,500 homeless people. At least 63 of those people have taken a Greyhound to Colorado.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said Minnesota is playing a kind of shell game. "Who's got the homeless person?" Hickenlooper said. "It's crazy."

Jonathan isn't exactly overjoyed at the prospect of this retched refuse being dumped in his state:

Shell games being associated with the homeless. What are the odds? I can certainly understand the attraction of that policy. The NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) approach is a popular one in our society. Everybody wants to do something, they just don't want it done near where they live. What comes out of the guilt is the perfect answer. Send them somewhere else. If we don't have to step around them as they're sleeping on the sidewalk, then we can function under the illusion that we don't have a problem. Out of sight; out of mind, right?

So why not? Homeless shelters are expensive. Doesn't it make since to spend that money on an effective policy and move them on their way?

Typically I oppose the NIMBY approach to solve problems. In this case however, I choose to make an exception. Besides you guys in Colorado only got 63 out of a possible 4500 that we offered a ticket to paradise to. That's nuthin'. When you consider how cold it can get here in the winter you have to agree that the only humane thing to do is send these folks packing to warmer climes. Colorado's probably not an ideal location either. I hear Florida's nice this time of year.

It's not often that I find myself agreeing with Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat but it's hard to argue with this:

The chairman of the Hennepin County Commission said the program helps homeless people who find themselves in Minnesota without family and friends.

"We think the bus ticket forward program is a humane way to help folks maybe have a better chance somewhere else," said Commissioner Mike Opat.

See they're cold. And lonely. All their buddies are in other states. How could we not allow them to be reunited? I will not stand by and allow you to drive a wedge between the homeless and their friends. Let us unite and not divide.

In your state of course.

I'd like to the program expanded. Let's give 'em a bus ticket and a nice fruit basket to sweeten the pot. And perhaps expand the definition of consent. Instead of having the homeless agree to the relocation, let's assume that assent is given and that they actually have to say no to not participate. Those unable to speak clearly or found sleeping will be assumed to have agreed to the trip. The buses will depart at 5am daily, non-stop until the destination is reached.

Happy trails.