Beggar Bunk
News stories about beggars with bank accounts are not news. If it's bull, the publisher is doing nothing wrong. Every generation must lose its innocence about this and, like a rite of passage—it's that time again. The slow news story of the day is a report of beggars with money in the bank. It panders to the resentment everyone feels about paying income tax.
The insinuation is that begging is income, it should be reported—as should all charitable giving. Legitimate not-for-profits must, of course, report contributions as income. The implication is, if small donations are not reported as income—or deducted as charity, charity itself is suspect. It is the appearance of hiding income behind a wall of anonymity—whatever the sum involved.
No, it's not a Federal case, but it is a matter of principle. More to the point: it's a matter of conscience. To be sure, we're talking about petty sums—single digits. But consider an analogy. Suppose the local shopkeeper charged State sales tax, as required by law, but failed to remit proceeds? The sums involved are mere single-digits—per customer, that is. At the end of the day the total is much more, taking into account all retails sales, and it's still questionable ethics—regardless of the principle.
To be realistic, a typical beggar doesn't have a home, much less a bank account, and isn't expected to report income from begging. Appearances, however, can be deceiving. I, for one, wouldn't want to miss the chance to help someone who asked me for help—even if, truth be told, he had more money stuffed in his pockets than I have. I must admit I have a weakness for helping the helpless. If only some sort of beggar's registration card could be provided, the type of official registration bartenders, food handlers, and others who depend on commerce with the public must have.
I have doubts about the sort of genuinely needy persons I have in mind holding onto anything of value—much less an official beggar's registration. If it doesn't get lost it will be stolen. The typical homeless beggar is probably in the straights he is in because he wants to forget who he is. More than lacking shelter and the necessities of life, they are refugees from a life of misfortune. That is the most unconscionable aspect of it all. These individuals may be eligible and due entitlement benefits.
It is a curious fact that not all street people are beggars—are not all in need of assistance. For whatever reason, they choose to live in the street. They are protected under the same social contract that provides assistance to the needy—those, that is, who apply for it. In fact, many homeless actually do receive benefits. It is as simple as registering home address “general delivery,” c/o, the local Post Office. At the Post Office all that is required is proof of identity to receive a benefit payment by mail. The problem for many such beneficiaries is they can't keep identification without loss.
The graphic art of Brian Higgins can be viewed at: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/8-brian-higgins