This article is being written because the election is tomorrow and I would like to reiterate how ab horrent and (purposefully) misinformed the voters may be where this measure is concerned. There has been much scare tactics involved in this subject.
The wording from the proponents of Measure S is the most disturbing of all. Their words are in the title. The full quote is, "As in many cities, mentally ill, addicted, homeless and other people gather in Berkeley's streets and parks"; that is an exact quote dissected from the proponent's argument for why people should vote yes on the measure. And that (hateful wording) will be their undoing, I hope. That is their bigotry, in full view. It is what is known as a "Freudian Slip." I mean, if you add it up, they slander the entire population of Berkeley, except for them, of course.
This is their game; this is their philosophy; this is their mentality.
As I arrived at Peet's Coffee this morning, for my morning tea (only I got coffee this morning), I noticed a mentally and physically handicapped man; he is an elderly man, in his sixties, at least. He is unable to take care of himself, either. I call him "Shufflin' Off To Buffalo." I do not know his name, obviously, but have coined him that name out of the fact that he shuffles as he walks. He has on a pair of old white socks that haven't seen white in quite some time, and there is one (nasty, corn-chip-looking) toe and toenail hanging out of the hole in his right-stocking foot. He wore hospital scrubs, probably from John George, the hospital that seems to keep dumping patients in Berkeley, to save money, allegedly.
As I approached the coffee shop this morning, I noticed this man... someone's dad (maybe)... someone's son (most likely)... someone's grandfather (maybe)... was lying on the ground, on cardboard, in front of the west-facing window of Peet's. The store was open for business. I informed Shufflin' of this fact, but he told me that he knew the store was open, and to "mind yo business!" Shufflin' is an ornery sort of fellow. Every time I try and help him he pretty much takes my head off, but I have to help him, regardless. Nobody else is doing it! In fact, someone gave me some cigarettes the other day, and I do not smoke [cigarettes]. So, Shufflin' was there, and he wanted one, for a quarter. I told him to "keep the quarter." But then realized I could use it, because I wanted something to eat that morning, and that would be the tax money I was lacking. So I decided to get the quarter from ole Shufflin'... but he wasn't having any of it.
He told me, "Give me another one, then I give you the quarter."
Now, first off, it's hard to hear what Shufflin' is saying. He sounds like Hunter S. Thompson and Keith Richards, with marbles in their mouths, as they try and sing a rendition of the Slayer's "Hell Awaits," under water... so it's sometimes difficult to make out what he is trying to scream at me.
I was so flabbergasted by the balls on this Cat that I gave it (cigarette) to him!
The fact that this elderly man is shufflin' around town, lying in front of businesses, urinating and defecating on himself is not his fault (entirely). Sure, he may have done that to himself... his debilitation, I don't know, I don't care. What I do know, though, is, we need to take care of this stuff, and quite scapegoating it, because it's unhealthy and it's sad to watch on a daily basis. If you want your kids to get sick, go ahead, do not take care of this stuff. It's irresponsible to ignore this sort of thing and then try and sweep it under the rug when you are tired of dealing with it.
We cannot continue to blame the symptom as though it were the cause, and then get angry because that symptom is floating around your store front, reminding you of your failure; your failure to deal with the problem when you (all) had the money, but chose to ignore it, until it hit you in your face, and your (false) depression.
First off, California is in a false depression, so the reason (or excuse, rather) of, "We don't have the money!" is not going to fly anymore.
Here are some (real) statistics for you:
"The Money is Here!
-California is home to 53 of the country's largest corporations. Their total profits in 2012 so far are $169 billion.
-California is home to 88 billionaires with a total wealth in 2012 of $322 billion.
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