Yale graduate and former Wall Street banker is now homeless

CNN's Dan Simon speaks with Shawn Pleasants, a Yale graduate and former Wall Street banker and entrepreneur who is now part of the country's homeless population living in California.
#CNN #News

[@dr.alexander7039]

“You know it’s funny, when it rains, it pours. They got money for war but can’t feed the poor” - 2Pac

[@humannaturedj]

"All I want to say is that they don't really care about us." -MJ

[@AmandaJohnson-rd3xh]

All the more reason for us to start really loving each other.

[@Alucard-__-]

Dr.Alexander yea helping doesn’t make money

[@SonSolo]

"We ain't meant to survive, ‘cause it's a set-up And even though you're fed up, huh, you got to keep ya head up"

[@kingofbruhssia4639]

Lockjaw and trump also don’t

[@Reminisce.7]

“It can happen to anyone” be humble and kind

[@JaneDoe-bq4pb]

Angel Marin ❤️

[@Handler2758]

He said he used fucking meth regurarly what the fuck do you mean it can happen to ANYONE yea if you use fucking meth regurarly

[@sunnydreux]

Alex Tertis you’re missing the point kid. You think everyone on hard drugs planned on being on hard drugs or homeless?

[@Reminisce.7]

Sunny Droe Fr

[@gustawolf0738]

@@sunnydreux just don't do drugs, and you'll be ok.

[@ladypeace8912]

And then they just casually mention that he is a "regular meth user"🤦🏻‍♀️

[@OldskolFan]

Homeless people use drugs to cope ?

[@somedude6830]

Regular, as in he uses meth on a regular basis

[@buckwheat6245]

and has rejected help from family members. lol

[@OldskolFan]

wally crail Nobody is going to rent to homeless people; they don’t have jobs or a steady income. They may get SSI but that is not enough money to rent an apartment. The government needs to be building housing projects again. Drug addicts can’t even afford little cheap motels or flop houses like they did in the past: because those places don’t exist anymore. Trailer parks are even unaffordable in California. Everything is FOR PROFIT. It’s the proliferation of drugs that has been “allowed” to run rampant...but not enough drug treatment or mental facilities.

[@OldskolFan]

wally crail I am talking about illegal unregulated street drugs. It’s not legal to sell heroin, meth, or crack...just yet...is it! The gangs that sell these drugs are as rich as some pharmaceutical industries; however, illegal drugs have a huge cost to neighborhoods, families, and society. Maybe this once promising guy wouldn’t be on the streets if drugs weren’t available around every corner. Him and all of the addicts and mentally ill.

[@soILLitsADVISED]

If you go to an Ivy League school and end up homeless at all in your life... You should receive a refund for that education

[@oliviaanderson1210]

Ayo O it’s not the schools fault, it’s his

[@moistcake8981]

Ayo O did you miss the part about him being a meth addict

[@soILLitsADVISED]

Moist Cake I didn’t forget that part. I know that was a significant aspect of the continued downfall. But it would be nice if education’s elite looked after their own, like a check-in. Not from a handout standpoint but from an “ensure we’re doin well and contributing to the world as we pledged when we walked across the stage” standpoint. Outside of unemployment assistance, perhaps a network of people to seek employment from. Frat/Sor like. Possibly a utopian wish but it’s just sad to have paid so much for an education and have fallen so far

[@AfricanGirl]

lol

[@moistcake8981]

Ayo O this happens at most decent universities. Alumni support.

[@Crowback354]

25% of the nations homeless in one state that actually insane.

[@rogerout7498]

Wouldn't you pick the warmest state if you were homeless??

[@gostavoadolfos2023]

The fact that the richest and largest state can't build affordable housing is more insane.

[@gostavoadolfos2023]

@@rogerout7498 Texas, Florida, Oregon.. are all warmer states.

[@rogerout7498]

@@gostavoadolfos2023 *3rd largest.

[@fawk501]

@@rogerout7498 The warm weather invites homeless people. The hearts of real Americans in California AREN'T like trump, who wants to cask them out like animals. I truly believe if homeless were in Red States, they would have been mistreated and/or murdered by the MAGA terrorist in record numbers.

[@tstonyaland]

When rent is 70% of your income, you're in trouble. We need rent control now!

[@DynamicUnreal]

Or don’t live in a major city. No one is entitled to live anywhere, either you make what is required to live there or find somewhere else to live.

[@JTScott1988]

@@DynamicUnreal not evwryone is capable of farming

[@TheKayleeanna]

Rent control is bad for renters. When you limit landlords' ability to raise rents that ensures 2 things: 1. They will raise it the maximum allowed so that they dont fall behind on inflation. 2. Owners will keep some properties vacant (instead of rented) so they aren't forced to comply with rent control. This lowers the supply of rentable homes which then increases the rent.

[@satisfyinglook8291]

are you stupid, just because someone bought real estate and is renting it out to you, you wanna take someones profit out. you idiot.

[@satisfyinglook8291]

He's homeless because he didn't provide value to the world. E.X maybe he was terrible at his job and had a bad name plus he is a drug user.

[@843idfa]

“He’s been homeless for a decade”. Likely a victim of the 2008 financial crisis.

[@klickingkayasmr7585]

Sami S. Mhm.

[@PP-ky2ji]

The man does meth and doesnt want help from his family

[@843idfa]

P P Maybe the conditions they set for how he should receive help don’t suit him.

[@Iunanec]

@@843idfa Conditions like stopping meth use, surely :/

[@jmusmc85]

Sami S. Yeah, there’s more to the story than just a lost job. He wants to be homeless.

[@salinabrown281]

I’m trying to understand why the people in the comments are blaming his school for him being homeless. This guys family has even reached out to help him several times but he has refused.

[@cedricsamuels5055]

Salina Brown exactly, most homeless ppl family’s try to help them. But the drugs don’t allow it.

[@ViperChipz]

@@cedricsamuels5055 exactly!

[@cait3196]

@Dross M but realistically nobody wants to hire someone on meth

[@lawreneph]

@@cedricsamuels5055 It maybe a few things. He may not want that help because of pride, he wants to be able to help himself, and also rejection. He noted that the problem for him is affordability. So he wants to be able to help himself ;He's a man and totally get that. He could accept the help but would also be right back in the same predicament or worse.

[@ade5393]

@Dross M have you ever tried to work and make money either high on meth or when crashing on it?

[@shillbill1299]

Hearing this man's story is so sad yet common. Now imagine being married with 4 kids and being homeless...it happened to me. It doesn't matter if you're literally on the street or staying in someone else's home, not having your own can be downright depressing...especially with kids involved. Always remember, you're only ONE paycheck away from being on the street.

[@antemeic5569]

So you saying we all are one pay check away to start shitting on sidewalks, snorting meth and getting schizophrenia?

[@stephane1623]

Glad you are doing well and thank you for sharing.

[@stephane1623]

@@antemeic5569 Yes he is and for homeless, the story is much worse.

[@itayizinzombe947]

@Ricky Fontaine really sad but very true!

[@liamjohnson8000]

Vote Yang 🤙

[@IAmSuzyQ]

"The rent is too damn high!" - McMillan, founder of the The Rent Is Too Damn High Party.

[@snoopysnoopcoleman1315]

YUP YUP JUST LIKE HERE IN NEW YORK BUT PEOPLE GO THERE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE WEATHER IS ALOT BETTER SO THAT'S KINDA HALF THE BATTLE OF BEING HOMELESS TO BEGIN WITH BECAUSE WHO CAN SURVIVE IN BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES WHILE THEY'RE ON THE STREETZ!!🙏🆗🇺🇸✌😎

[@kbpeters4246]

This is what happens when HUD budget has been cut three times and will be cut again for 2020 by Trump In particular, last year Carson effectively gutted the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, an Obama-era rule meant to give “local communities tools and guidance to overcome restrictive local zoning” themselves, pushing them to combat the legacy of segregation. This is what happens when California has had decades of HIGH-cost housing. Low-income people need TWO full-time jobs to get a small apartment...and those rarely exist. In the UK, whenever there is a new housing building project 1/3 of the units MUST be lower costs. So in an affluent area of Surrey, if a new development goes up of 12 houses, you can see that a third would be like £600,000 per unit and then 1/3 would be 450,000 and the rest are £300,000 (which in Surrey is still a lot of money). The cheaper houses tend to be sold on a shared ownership scheme where a first-time buyer can take out a mortgage for the share you own (usually between 25% and 75%), while paying rent on the rest.

[@snoopysnoopcoleman1315]

@@kbpeters4246 YUP YUP & WHEN ASKED WHAT A *REO* WAS, BEN CARSON THOUGHT OLD GIRL MEANT *OREO'S* LIKE THE 🍪 🍪 COOKIE!! A DAMN, BRILLIANT IDIOT RUNNING H.U.D!!✊😎✌😂😂😂

[@kbpeters4246]

@@snoopysnoopcoleman1315 True. It does not help when we have a DUH whose clear motivate is to dismantle DUH.

[@snoopysnoopcoleman1315]

@@kbpeters4246 YUP YUP & I JUST GOT A NEWS NOTIFICATION OF MY 📱 PHONE THAT SAID THEY'RE ALSO CUTTING FOOD STAMPS WHILE RAISING THE RENT ON LOW INCOME FAMILIES & TRUMP'S BITCHIN' ABOUT THE HOMELESS SITUATION IN AMERICA BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP HIM FROM GIVING THE TOP 1% IN AMERICA A $1.5 TRILLION TAX CUT WHICH MEANT THAT COMPANIES SUCH AS AMAZON, NETFLIX, GENERAL MOTORS, DELTA AIRLINES & ABOUT 56 OTHERS DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY A DIME IN FEDERAL TAXES BUT ACTUALLY MADE A PROFIT BUT HOLD UP, DIDN'T HE SAY THAT THAT TAX BREAK MONEY WOULD TRICKLE-DOWN, MY BADD, IT DID, WE ALL GOT PISSED & SHITTED💩💩ON BUT HEY FOLKZ=MAGA MAGA MAGA, YEAH RIGHT!!💯😈🆗🇺🇸✊😎✌😂😂😂

[@LeeLee-ix8lw]

Dude went to yale for economics. I guess college isn't everything

[@clarkclarke]

What does that have to do with "AFFORDABLE" housing ???? Do you know how many kinds of people are homeless ??? trust it could happen to anyone at ANY time ... It doesn't take that much

[@hectorgaytan2424]

"regular meth user"

[@cecegiles7753]

Lee Lee nope just a way to get into debt...Beyonce, Jay Z, Mariah, Janet, Whitney, Celine, Britney ...i could go on ...but none of them went to College and worth millions of dollars..Wendy Williams sits on her ass and gossips about people everyday and gets $10 million a year...So in America its not what you know but who u know

[@antoniot.6594]

@@cecegiles7753 Everyone you mentioned has an exceptional talent (or so thinks mainstream America). Even Wendy is personable and charismatic. The average person has to go to college. The only exception is those influencers that make money on social media but are absolutely talentless. However, I think that as they age or lose their "looks" they will need to get a real job. Time will tell

[@cecegiles7753]

Antonio Torres im yawning to your statement....you don't have to work hard in America to make money

[@jgreening6164]

College doesn’t mean you’ll have a guaranteed career I have so many friends who have graduated college and can’t find a decent job.

[@relaxinginpeace1310]

That's true especially people who gets business degrees. I haven't met a person yet who's using their Bachelors in business

[@user-dq9rr9mv3f]

and the debt... my god the student loans...

[@victoriahale5254]

jgreening ehhh somethings up with your friends

[@aysenuri2419]

@@user-dq9rr9mv3f it's crippling

[@jgreening6164]

victoria hale as you can see it’s not just my friends

[@Omar-yi2mv]

So unfortunate. Goes to show- never judge anyone. We don’t know their stories

[@UTAH100]

You can still judge- why not. He chose METH. Real talk. Decisions have consequences. Everyone is homeless potentially. If you work, you get paid. If you chose to do drugs- it is what it is.

[@theresemartin3075]

I worked in the private wealth division of a major New York financial institution. I've seen people at their peak with millions/billions and then they lose their job, medical issues and such ..and it's gone..don't think it can't happen to you! Life happens!

[@charlesbrouwer1614]

Therese Martin Save your money and be financially smart and you’ll never be homeless

[@theresemartin3075]

Charles Brouwer I'm not talking about myself...what I'm saying is I know people who are extremely wealthy and had the rug pulled out...It doesn't mean your not smart. I had customers whose had family members with catastrophic illnesses that caused bankruptcies; successful business go under after 9/11 when there was no businesses left in lower Manhattan..businesses folded during the Mortgage crisis...a couple of my clients lost everything in the Madoff fiasco. You can be smart and life throws you unexpected curves.

[@tuanseattle]

Really ? how can people lose billions ? At that point they have their wealth managed and diversified right ? Can you give insight ?

[@sha1841]

@Some Guy How fucking stupid are you? Read the comments again.

[@sha1841]

@@charlesbrouwer1614 Yeah? Is that the end all, be all success formula?

[@Joy2ThaWorld]

His problem is meth. That drug won’t let him do better or go to family who is trying to help him. Can’t compare him to a regular homeless person. Trust me I know. I’ve done meth, and it screwed my life up. Clean over 10 years now.

[@Joy2ThaWorld]

launcher3 I guess when I think of a regular homeless person, I think of a person that has no one to turn too. I’ve claimed that homeless title as well, but it was because I didn’t want to go home to my moms. I had aunts and cousins that would have taken me in. Even good friends. Meth is a drug like no other. I didn’t want to go home because I knew I couldn’t get high in peace and live the life I wanted. I’d rather be a part of the underworld than to the good life and go home. I finally went to prison, got clean, came home and got my life together. I me I still struggle because I’m a felon, but I got my life back. If he could kick the habit of meth, I promise you he could bounce back. He’s convinced that he’s happy living this way. Like really, really convinced. That’s what meth does. I didn’t start feeling shamed of myself and want better until I was about a year in. That’s how long it took for me to have clear thoughts again. (Sorry so long)

[@Joy2ThaWorld]

❤❤

[@lonelychameleon3595]

Meth is a side effect of being homeless but it’s not what made him such in the first place. Upward mobility is all but dead in this country and with how specialized labor has become you just can’t afford to work a low end job anymore and expect anything to come of it, especially in California of all places.

[@Joy2ThaWorld]

@@lonelychameleon3595 I'll have to disagree....his family wants him to come home. He wouldnt be homeless then. He'd rather stay homeless and use meth instead. I've been there. I feel like he has given up. I could be wrong though.

[@GameChanger597]

@@Joy2ThaWorld praise God you are sober! God bless and great job!

[@CradleEpiscopalian56]

He's been homeless for 10 yrs, refuses help from family, married to another homeless man and uses Meth? Why did they interview him when a home is not his major issue.

[@serpentserpent9308]

BehindTheThrone - refusing help from family is one thing. Meth is another. But what’s his homosexuality have to do with anything?

[@Geekmedia_]

So true

[@zongonative7397]

The heading was the issue because they cannot believe a Yale graduate could go homeless.Well that’s part of life’s harsh realities .

[@loveyu2778]

Sometimes the feeling of disappointing your family can hender a person into a lifelong battle of embarrassment..Clearly he was and is a smart man..Maybe he had issues with his sexuality that led him down that road..Maybe he was on top, started hanging out with the wrong people and started doing drugs recreational..You never know..Life takes us where it's going to take us..There really is no blame..

[@pagamenews]

Post of the month!

[@debbiehunt5940]

I’m glad CNN told the full story about this guy. It’s hard to pull your life together when you don’t address your personal demons.

[@bandit4truelove126]

Very much so. Many of those people dont want any help they are quite happy living just the way they are. Until they decide to get rid of their demons they will continue to be right there.

[@tstocker6926]

Rent control means less housing gets built

[@3joewj]

I'm glad Trump brought attention to this problem.

[@marcosjuarez7809]

CNN does not have personal demons. You Trump-supporting enablers have personal demons.

[@isabellakerr2966]

@@tstocker6926 A problem is increase in real estate taxes. When I purchased my house the taxes were $5,600. 10 years later $13,000. I had to sell my house, I could not afford the increased real estate taxes. What I do not understand why the property owners have to pay for schools. I have never had any children. Why the property owners have to contribute to the libraries in additional taxes while for other people they are free?. I lived in NJ and it is a horrible state. In other civilized countries the schools are paid by states. Of course it would mean to increase a tax but everybody shall contribute to the schools not only the property owners.

[@djmartin7829]

Living on the street for over ten years is so sad.

[@jas6838]

Dj Martin it is sad however sometimes it’s a choice.

[@JBEMultimediamadrid]

And yet so many people are mad over the stories of the immigrants at the border but fine or dont care about these... pathetic people who call themselves patriots

[@terrestrialwitness9873]

Business arrangements/employment/personal and/or family circumstances/political risks can change at a moment's notice. Also, not all homeless people are alcoholics/drug addicts/have a history of mental illness. | Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. | Acts 17:30

[@kleeklee4572]

It’s most likely because of drugs but yeah, it sucks.

[@IAmValenwind]

@Dearly Diane no... nixon's legacy.

[@SnowFoxParty]

10 years homeless and was once at Yale...poor guy

[@seankgomotso]

TheSnowFoxParty man...😐😔

[@SnowFoxParty]

@Mochismooch I agree. And I feel so bad for him too :(

[@charlesriles252]

He graduated... and started a business in finance

[@flowersandcandyflowersandc9093]

It don't matter what school you attend, Oxford, Yale,and or any other so calledivy league school if your not giving breaks in life or if you don't get lucky by chance you will fail......

[@NoName-ny1bt]

Sell his life story as a movie script. People would be interested

[@wrldonwill]

That would've worked years ago.... The people in government don't want awareness to be spread on this topic.

[@rickybobby8673]

So what, so he can do more meth

[@dj7457]

Dudes will wait until he gone to pull this out,...until then, homeboy gonna have to get by

[@stevenstraus2596]

It can happen to anybody. I fear it will happen to me one day

[@tchrisou812]

Why is that?

[@davids11131113]

A key is stay off the meth, and get out of Democrat shitholes like Commiefornia!

[@ruthdepew7212]

@@davids11131113 The key is to stay away from ignoramuses who use non words such as Commiefornia.

[@davids11131113]

The video says he uses meth you dumb fuck.

[@frankieparton5122]

@Flavius Stilicho Amen to that give up your guns and Civil liberties open up the borders give us free healthcare free college and we will be good. Depend on the government for everything that's what I say.

[@diogennesthesinope61]

Life is unpredictable. Sad. Hopefully he will pick up again!

[@stevenstraus2596]

he should stop doing meth while he is at it

[@Slippy-Toad-Love]

It’s been 10 years. He’s never picking up unless he drops meth.

[@Andrew-yb1uv]

And the 60,000 others

[@calbastian]

Life is hard, life is harder when you stop trying.

[@theexplorer7139]

So true.

[@cohenfromdiscord2551]

Please explain this?

[@ryvr.]

Mine gets harder when I try

[@Shirleyisthemasterofeverything]

If the people saying trying makes your life harder, you're probably trying in the wrong aspects

[@willowt7319]

Nobody wants to be born and struggle to stay afloat on the daily grind for 80+ years.

[@littleangel8719]

Seeing someone from super successful life to this really breaks my heart 😔

[@latyshal.2286]

No one should be homeless in a well-developed country. I pray that he gets back on his feet soon. God protect this man and bless him with a house to call home.

[@eriksanchez7286]

It's TRUE but you cant also believe that a portion of the people in this world aren't lazy

[@KhanPopPuzzle1982]

Well he needs to stop taking meth first. Admitting he has a problem is the first step. I’m sure if he wasn’t a drug addict, he would be just fine.

[@anthonyc4138]

@@KhanPopPuzzle1982 yep

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

There are so many people on the streets and unemployed that have a bunch of degrees, and licences. My heart goes out to this brotha. Times are hard, so don't look down on people that have less. Everyone is a check away from homelessness. Blessings, to this brotha!

[@running730]

I am soooo happy that we are starting to focus on homelessness. It’s always been bad and unfair! It should have never gotten this out of control.

[@AdlinLing]

2:14 "Married to another homeless man" Well, that was unexpected.

[@UrbanGrafittitales]

Adlin Ling lol wtf he gay too lol

[@relaxverse3986]

I know, right? Meth was bad enough.

[@felizkodie5328]

i had to replay that part

[@Critique808]

Adlin I was surprised too. He should have married to a rich man. lol

[@Vinnafetish]

I've seen this... there's also whole families living in single room hotels out there with their children

[@davids11131113]

Hell I never went to Yale I went to a trade school now but im a millionaire.

[@Vinnafetish]

@@davids11131113 that's nice

[@Vinnafetish]

@@davids11131113 just a bit odd that you find time to troll CNN comments

[@justtestingonce]

davids11131113 what they don’t show underneath that is the mental health issues this guy and other homeless ppl have. That kind of handicap is debilitating. Notice they say his family has tried to help, that’s always the issue with mental health related homelessness. On another note, take a look at the relationship between Regan closing down mental institutions and the rise of homelessness.

[@davids11131113]

Carter closed down the mental institutions.

[@lu881]

He could live the "laptop lifestyle". Earning money on the internet. But the meth is keeping him away from taking control of his life.

[@lu881]

@Abdullah Habib true

[@exitparadise2244]

Luthando Nqakala he prob needs the meth to survive man. Most kids in college are prescribed it.

[@Shirleyisthemasterofeverything]

Hes talking about adderall. Do it by God not drugs my friends. Win it!

[@jerryesque3747]

He lost his income. Then his mother. Basically, was in a very tough emotional state. Also, I like that he admitted he is a regular meth user, he actually didnt need to admit that. It sounds like he still has good heart, one that learned alot from this and is now trying to change his ways. Wish him the best.

[@DeGrate-bb5bo]

Jerry Esque, well said and compassionately said. You sound like real human being.

[@humannaturedj]

Losing a parent or a child breaks many ppl down. I wouldn't wish that pain on my worst enemy.

[@feliciablake12]

Homelessness is a major issue for many people in this country, where is making America great for the poor.

[@nojo8296]

Look at the politicians that ran that area for decades (liberals).

[@gmac3335]

Nojo82 Typical trumptard 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@nojo8296]

@@gmac3335 this situation has being going on for a decade but it's trump's fault go figure

[@AnonURnot]

Nojo82 Homelessness is literally a problem in every state. And correlation doesn’t mean causation. What exactly did liberals do to make this into a major crisis? (Go ahead and look it up bc I’m genuinely interested in your answer)

[@nojo8296]

@@AnonURnot yes homelessness is a problem in every state but there is a difference between homelessness and tent cities like LA, Seattle, Portland and others. Liberals in most cities create bureaucracies and regulations that drive the cost up. Which becomes impossible to sustain for a lot of people. As an example, they're big advocates of affordable housing (which is noble), however when you do that you have to raise taxes to build those houses, which leads to people and companies leaving those cities with high taxes (ex San Francisco companies are leaving) and the people that remain have to pay even higher taxes. They're big on minimum wage which leads to a selected few getting those job while others remain unemployed.

[@lorestrahan2207]

This man was a drug addict, that is the reason he is homeless. He has a great resume, he should not be homeless.

[@jogmas12]

Lore Strahan I don’t have half the brains he has but I doing my God given best not to become homeless and yes I’m in California

[@lorestrahan2207]

@@jogmas12 Hopefully, you will succeed.

[@crisclay2678]

Lore Strahan doubtful meths cheap as hell

[@jogmas12]

cris clay I don’t do drugs

[@alansmilealot]

*this man is a drug addict, that's why one of the reasons why he's still homeless* they mentioned his company feel apart and his mom died, I'm sure there are plenty of of things missing in this story

[@rodtherichest6018]

This man can get a job🗣💯 ANYWHERE..He graduated from yale, with that accomplishment alone he can find a job!! His current state of mind , is the cause of him being homeless..

[@user-dq9rr9mv3f]

the reality is Black men don't just graduate and walk up in corporate and get a job.. It's who u know or entry level, and wiith a degree from Yale, they can't start him off in the mail room..

[@user-dq9rr9mv3f]

Also HR are very shady ppl, he should've played up his gayness, he'd be employed quick.

[@wiltuhoward8164]

I agree and the drugs

[@dabiz4272]

Actually no. I'm sure he's considered "overqualified" for a lot of jobs. In The same way u can be underqualified n not even get an interview...u can also be overqualified n not get a response

[@ge394]

@@user-dq9rr9mv3f shut up with all this color bs, why don't they just stop acting ghetto and actually study, get a good sat, or even just go to a community college. "its who u know" only applies to extremely high paying jobs

[@everydy]

I'm surprised at how they showed compassion and humanized this guy in their reporting.

[@SaveonSuay]

They breezed over the “meth” thing

[@gavinjackson3806]

Mr Alston that what I am saying

[@workbreaklounge3755]

Haha bad Ivy league publicity I guess

[@ajantsmith6139]

Fvck the meth, they just casually mentioned he is married to another homeless man.

[@pacharay]

He admits he’s a regular meth user...like how they briefly mention this as if it is not that important.

[@tristan7844]

aslo briefly mentioned that he is gay...I think it is also important...seeing how society tends to reject them

[@tristan7844]

@loja babel imagine not having a place to live or a family that loves you...the whole world looking down on you and pretending you don't exist... to them, drugs is the only way to them to escape reality and go to their happy place..

[@rabbitskipper4454]

@loja babel Very true. My father was screwed over by my mother after their divorce. I remember him having tears in his eyes at court begging the judge to see my siblings and I more. He stop taking cross country runs and did local runs to be closer to us. But the child support never was modified for him. And ultimately he lost everything, his semi truck and his CDL. Including his confidence & will to move on. Dad ended up on the streets until us kids finally got him back on his feet after we become adults. Now dad has a courier business with 3 vans & 4 employees. But he can't get back the time he lost.

[@pacharay]

@@tristan7844 How about the fact that his family reached out to him, but he rejected their help? Did you listen to the story? Please rewatch.

[@pacharay]

@loja babel If CNN wanted to do a good story; how about exploring the various reasons why there is homelessness. One could be because the economy is bad or even because of drug issues; or is it because of the lack of government support. Or maybe because he is gay? It is equally as bad as to assume that it is solely because of 1 reason of housing? You have to explore everything before assuming one is the sole cause.

[@jsdsms]

So the problem is not housing. It's drug addiction

[@brettcarter5142]

jsdsms Terrible and ignorant generalization

[@brettcarter5142]

nadege innocent You should write a response people actually fully understand

[@emmanuelezenwere]

Poor life decisions

[@crissoa]

For most homeless people, that’s the problem. That and mental illness. I work with mentally ill people and they almost always are on meth. They get government assistance but instead of getting affordable housing for example at a board and care, they prefer to be on the streets so that they can get drugs and not be confined to any rules.

[@MWAclanGaming]

Definitely housing, the prices are 5x higher then it was 20 years ago

[@trollingontheriver8868]

So instead of building housing for those who would rather shoot up drugs we need to find out how to help them with their mental health problem, because giving people housing isn't going to stop them from taking drugs.

[@dominicgunderson]

You need to do both. You have to have detox zones and places where people can sleep and stay at night.

[@trollingontheriver8868]

@@dominicgunderson Has a detox zone ever been done, I'm very curious now. I like the sound of that.

[@katyarnold6757]

It's really sad to see other human beings living on the street like this. It makes you count your blessing.

[@TheHebrewidow]

I pray for you Ahki. Hugs!

[@roni-yah9342]

ahk is married to a man, sis. Pray hard.

[@TheHebrewidow]

@@roni-yah9342 I definitely will.

[@ButcherPeete]

I think the story of that eye probably can explain A LOT

[@typhlosionisbest]

Probably just glaucoma. This is the 3rd black person I've seen with it, so we might be pretty prone to it.

[@Mcthindi]

Its Nick fury

[@Gapeaches77able]

typhlosionisbest ?

[@redjohn44]

@@Mcthindi most underrated comment ever.

[@crissoa]

1. He’s a meth user 2. He doesn’t want to be confined by the rules of a shelter. A lot of homeless people are mentally ill, dependent on drugs and as a result have burned bridges with their family and even shelters/living arrangements. Even if affordable homes were provided, would they be able to keep up and pay rent? Sadly, no. How do you get a person who is dependent on drugs to fill out a job application and hold down a job? How do you get that same person to maintain a home? Also, believe it or not, many homeless people PREFER to be homeless because it’s just easier for them that way as they can live by their own rules.

[@goodenergi]

Criss O 1000% true. I know a lot of people who provide services to homeless but they simply don’t want it. Being homeless is easier than going to a job everyday

[@b1mw93]

Either we progress as a country together or nothing changes.

[@Shirleyisthemasterofeverything]

Yeah, we all need one goal, world peace. But I guess there are some who prefer world domination as long as they're ahead. Do it by God, love all, ignore hate, live on

[@bust2007]

Coming from a excellent education , to being a high stack banker , then losing it all ... and here I am working a 9-5 as a security officer . And I still haven’t lost my mind... what are they teaching these kids

[@Lilyyloll]

"Lets just sweep up they homes an toss em aside" is what he meant

[@kchilz32]

Nope it’s California policies that have created this. The California government leaders have let investors creat the influx of non affordable housing in the state. So basically screw the regular people

[@ratheesh9838]

No one deserves to be living like this. What are the billionaires doing in la is cruelty

[@Ramadan546]

Dude is doing meth and can't hold a job. The fuck do you expect.

[@CSeyoum]

No moral empathy

[@jp6803]

He did it to himself dumbass.

[@Shaney_Lee]

He prefers to be homeless and on the streets

[@ge394]

shut up i hate people like you just because they are rich doesn't mean they have to help them you could help him with a simple 20 or 10 bucks. Mind you he is a drug addict so people wouldn't trust him with money.

[@mrlwiseman2900]

Its crazy up here in canada, the average price for a house is 1 million dollar. The futre looks very scary

[@noikzgt9062]

1 Million isn't alot for average canadians tho.

[@mrlwiseman2900]

What are you talking about? 1 million is alot, if your making over 10g a month other wise your screwed. So like i said 1 million dollar, is crazy for an average price. Good on you Rich guy, if 1 million isn't alot

[@ntl9974]

In toronto?

[@brianh208]

Affordable housing in California? I don't think that's possible

[@cesarebachelli]

Our govt is too corrupt. Left or right is useless. Civilians are neglected. Infrastructure is neglected. Only the elites are taken care of.

[@kbpeters4246]

This is what happens when HUD budget has been cut three times and will be cut again for 2020 by Trump In particular, last year Carson effectively gutted the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, an Obama-era rule meant to give “local communities tools and guidance to overcome restrictive local zoning” themselves, pushing them to combat the legacy of segregation. This is what happens when California has had decades of HIGH-cost housing. Low-income people need TWO full-time jobs to get a small apartment...and those rarely exist. In the UK, whenever there is a new housing building project 1/3 of the units MUST be lower costs for AFFORDABLE housing. So in an affluent area of Surrey, if a new development goes up of 12 houses, you can see that a third would be like £600,000 per unit and then 1/3 would be 450,000 and the rest are £300,000 (which in Surrey is still a lot of money). The cheaper houses tend to be sold on a shared ownership scheme where a first-time buyer can take out a mortgage for the share you own (usually between 25% and 75%), while paying rent on the rest.

[@robbie5138]

Yeah its possible but if the focus is on the Wealthiest Counties in California... than of course California looks outrageously expensive.

[@kbpeters4246]

@Robin You are right about the weather. Add to emotional crisis...he said he lost his rock (his mom) and then he had trouble with his founding partners in a business. But his story is not the same as many families in LA who have more than two jobs between the parents and still cannot afford housing. California has allowed prices to sky rocket....and then Trump's HUD is cutting their services dramatically. That certainly does not help.

[@kernalbert5546]

@Robin You're a counselor?!

[@robertschrader]

Look at his eye. Poor guy. :-(

[@ChristSaves88]

Wow. This is sad to watch...🙁 Praying for these people.🙏🏾

[@SAGEXX309]

Wow man, heartbreaking smh how you can have sooooo much potential. Life gets hard but you can't give up, KEEP MOVING FOWARD until your last breath. I grew up in the hood(southside of chicago), didn't go to an ivy league school and never had EITHER of my parents.....I refuse to give up like this.

[@sapnasahil543]

This is heart breaking to see this happen not in a third world country but right here in USA.

[@charlesbrouwer1614]

Sapna Sahil all the dems fault in California

[@davids11131113]

That’s what happens when demtards take over a place, it turns into a shithole!

[@sunnydaysatl]

@@charlesbrouwer1614 what about the homeless in Republican states....I live in republican state it we have lot of homeless people here. There is homeless people all over the U.S. It not a certain party fault, housing cost is crazy all over and people wages are not increasing with the cost of living

[@davids11131113]

No the shitholes in America are all ran by demtards, that’s a fact idiot!

[@auroralights2759]

I visited San Francisco 15 years ago and got so shocked. I have lived in 3rd world country and was much better than California. So many homeless. My friend told me it's way more now. Don't get me wrong but America isn't like Hollywood movie. I never wanted to live there. Life is so tough. Except Alaska. I have lived and can live in Alaska anytime.

[@74buickapollo]

I live in British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦 and for the past twenty years our Governments both Provincial and Federal have allowed rich non Canadian foreigners to come into our Province and launder billions of dollars through our Casinos and real estate. Our housing in the past 20 years has gone from the most affordable to the least affordable and it’s getting worse. Rents are skyrocketing and grocery’s have gone through the roof. I don’t remember giving any politician, developer or realtor the permission to hijack our beautiful province out from under us and the last time I looked money laundering of any sort was 100% illegal.

[@adamshortnacy4595]

The price you pay for electing leftist politicians into government. I see it has rubbed off on you as you blame everyone else but yourselves as leftists always do.

[@MATHEW94061]

When rich foreigners move to your city that actually helps the local economy, it brings foreign money to the city / country. The more money going around the more expensive the rent. There might be intelligent solutions to the problem, but stopping rich people from coming legally and bringing their money to spend is definitely not the best approach. Rich foreigners go to restaurants, they buy clothes and request services and most importantly they PAY the rent to someone who is making a lot of money. Besides, the money from the rent will most likely be spent locally by the landlord. People who say this is a bad thing are usually xenophobic because it’s so obviously nonsensical. Im conservative and I understand not wanting illegals coming freely..

[@paxwebb]

@@adamshortnacy4595 Try not to be an idiot and think past your bias. You think BC has only had left leaning politicians in office for the last 20 years? Older homeowners have done well and become millionaires during this time. It's those people now who are renting or trying to buy their first homes that are screwed and were mostly all too young to vote in the past.

[@MrJimmysez]

Same with Southern Ontario...Asians buy up entire streets and turn them into foreign student rooming houses. Garbage, lawns uncut, parking on the lawn, partying. There goes the neighbourhood.

[@supremacy2040]

adam shortnacy ....I didn’t know leftists were the only one in power all this time? Most gov atm have right wing gov like the US, so hows that’s going? Anything done yet? Are your rents/housing prices/utilities any cheaper? Apart from getting to use cheaper light bulbs which use more electricity? And that last recession where the bankers were all allowed to screw the people happened under republicans.

[@iamtellingyouthetruth7390]

That just goes to show that brains and college degrees don't prevent homelessness. This can happen to anyone at anytime.

[@imhuemankeepURcolorsforcrayons]

A lot of you ppl need to read: Rich Dad Poor Dad.

[@lucasmed2351]

No. A lot of you people need to read mothafuckin "Capital" and develop basic ideas of human decency, solidarity and economic prosperity that are not based on fraudulent notions of "entrepreneurship" or self-help. Moreover, Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the book you recommend, is a known scammer and con-artist and anyone still promoting him in 2019 should know a lot better. Here is a small link for your knowledge (erase the spaces) : thecollegeinvestor . com / 4726 / ultimate-hypocrite-robert-kiyosaki-companys-bankruptcy

[@imhuemankeepURcolorsforcrayons]

Lucas Med well thank you for giving me new information to read appreciate the sharing of knowledge. But I promoted him because of the message not the person. So before you come at someone you to first come at them with proper form of dialect. No need to cuss or become hostile. It’s sharing of knowledge, I don’t know what the Author personally did too you, but you should relax and do some heart-fullness meditation!!! 😘

[@NoName-mm6gh]

Angelique Campbell I agree... Take the useful information for a person's benefit

[@GeneralLocooo]

Lucas Med No need to bark at her like a wild dog, rather, explain to her in a polite manner.

[@Lifeafter40]

What people need is to stop doing drugs!

[@kinzieconrad105]

I have been homeless three times in my life, our house is paid off, one can recover if they make good choices !!!!!

[@jemelshahid1582]

They said he " married to another homeless man " ... did anyone get that lol

[@sunkissedlotus]

Not relevant.

[@imtheboss1826]

So

[@rabbitskipper4454]

These guys need to move to another city. Also there's no way you can tell me that two men aren't able to get a studio apartment in a mid sized city with a lower cost of living. Even living in a used van would be better.

[@itchyknows595]

Yup lmao

[@crownchak-yah6094]

That's disgusting! The media could be lying though

[@iluvblackeyedpeas7]

“It’s the cost of housing”, meanwhile the sidewalks are littered with needles?

[@thesmellgoodguy3770]

Well since I can't afford rent I'll buy some meth...smh

[@danielsanchez1994]

I feel it’s a more complicated thing and the source of it all it stems from the lack of a roof, a “safe place” per say. Maslow’s second level on his hierarchy of needs it’s safety, since the homeless lack this I feel it’s a domino effect that ends obviously in many people turning to drugs to cope with the situation. Also the environment you live in does have an effect on your actions... if your only friends or community (homeless) use drugs, the chances of you consuming drugs skyrocket. :) it’s a very sad cycle obviously this is only my opinion.

[@nihow06]

I hope he can turn his life around just like Chris Gardner.

[@sunnydaysatl]

In the past most homeless people i saw in Atlanta had a drug problem or mental health issues. I am now seeing families that are homeless, it scary cause I think that could be me. I have gone through some tough times but thank God I have family and friends that was able to help me. Rent is going crazy high here, even in the bad area its expensive to get a place. Im trying to buy a house now , and i can not found anything in my budget and i am middle income. I really believe that things are about to get worse and more families are going to be homeless, not to mention all the families living in low budget hotels here.

[@almacoles5501]

Start looking further out for homes 1hr to even 2 hr drives. Eventually, you should be able to find more affordable homes.

[@sunnydaysatl]

Alma Coles really can’t go to far out cause my job n medical issues. Have to be near hospital n medical facilities.

[@AC09524]

Rent! It is a bad time to buy. Private equity is buying up all the houses. A few billionaires own all the homes and land.

[@sunnydaysatl]

@@almacoles5501 that’s a no go in Georgia. My parents lives 2 hours away n the prices are crazy high too. I had thought about moving back home to get a house but then I’ll have to found a new job. So I would b paying the same price for a house but making less, salaries are lower in my home town.

[@matthewmark7224]

this is misplaced. the homeless problem has nothing to do with this man. he took a wrong turn somewhere. a person with his credentials should be gentrifying neighborhoods.

[@Prettytiff33]

I feel like that whole report was an emotional rollercoaster

[@SuccessforLifester]

At least he doesn't have to pay property taxes

[@EARLMARX3]

I had an Uncle who was homeless off and on from in the 60's, 70's and 80's. My Father was his rescuer until my Father died. He was also my favorite Uncle. This is not a simple problem. My Uncle, like all seven of his brothers, had alcohol problems stemming from childhood trauma and PTSD from WWII. I have worked in an area with a lot of homeless and I have worked with the homeless. They do not scare me any more than anyone else. What Trump is proposing is nothing short than putting them in prison.

[@cataniamommaitalia87]

Lula Earle he suggested it because nothing was being done. California has money for illegal aliens but affordable housing for Americans ...nope. Demonrats have a priorities issue

[@EARLMARX3]

@@cataniamommaitalia87 He who? Suggested what?

[@Misskt15]

@@cataniamommaitalia87 lol like trump giving millions of dollars on farmers you're stupid AF!!

[@anthonya4924]

let me guess drugs or mental illness let’s fix those problems and see what happens to the homeless problem!!!!

[@anonymousperson7889]

@Dale Hauk or be married, or have a roommate or two, or work another job, make some sacrifices.....if that doesn't work, move to somewhere else. I lived in some of the most expensive places in the country just working in restaurants and was able to fuck off and live easily throughout my 20s.

[@anonymousperson7889]

The only way to fix drug problems is legalization.

[@KleWdSide]

@@anonymousperson7889 Get married? Yeah, great solution. Inevitably get a divorce & be in even worse financial shape.

[@tomjones239]

@@anonymousperson7889 California doesn`t arrest meth addicts like this guy or his dealer. THAT`S the problem...

[@littlebitches]

@@anonymousperson7889 yeeeeah just as having guns legal stops all shootings

[@lwoods9482]

So unfortunate! Hopefully, he can rid those demons that is holding him down and move forward. Even, if it means moving elsewhere. #God blessed!

[@Z.Brytel46]

No dude, that does not happen to anyone, you just made some bad choices in life.

[@michaelkgrantj]

A capitalist economy cannot exist without poor people. Facts.

[@saltymonke3682]

Venezuela is knocking on your door 😂😂😂😂

[@danieldoucet8687]

Who fed you that load of crap? Fake news CNN? The worst shithole cities are run by libtards & their failed leftist policies. Free market economies have lifted more people out of poverty throughout the world than any economic system in history. Stop believing that garbage_We conservatives want you to succeed. Because of President Trump, more Americans are working in history & unemployment is the lowest in history for black folk, asians & hispanics_70 year lows for women. Ride the Trump train to paradise or circle the toilet in a leftist death spiral.

[@Twestliw]

And yet the poor are still more privileged that more than half the world

[@michaelkgrantj]

@@Twestliwyou are right. That is due capitalism. Colonialism hierarchy capitalism designed and governs that system. Rich countries and poor countries. Capitalism cannot exist without poor countries. American manufacturers moved overseas and south of the border. Cheap labor. Communist China, Russia and even North Korea invest in U.S. markets. The bigger the middle class gap, the more powerful the rich are. U.S.A. Inc.

[@gailobrien9380]

This is beyond heartbreaking!

[@Slippy-Toad-Love]

Gail O'Brien Not really

[@Eloronegringo]

Why they have to just shame his life like that

[@kevin1seven923]

RobbyJ for real now they made it harder for him to find a job

[@elizagold2186]

They did that on purpose

[@maxlago7015]

This made me tear up he reminds me of someone i loved

[@tclem14]

People need to care more about each other period

[@Slippy-Toad-Love]

#02588 #02588 Sorry, this guy ain’t getting sympathy from anybody with a brain.

[@tclem14]

Wahee Wahee Wah-ho-ho-ho hence the comment .

[@arielartista93]

Wait hold on. 3:01 his family has tried to help him but he has refused their help? Ok no more sympathy.

[@kimames3347]

arielartista Exactly.

[@liz5473]

Maybe he's ashamed. High achieving people sometimes cant fathom help. They're hard on themselves

[@alycce]

10 years!!! This is Sad.

[@annrrf1464]

This is just completely heartbreaking

[@jainorman3425]

I hope he lives in a better future than his past....

[@pacha7977]

🙏

[@Slippy-Toad-Love]

10 years in the streets. I doubt it.

[@bionicman1921]

$4,700 a month for rent who can afford that ...........

[@jamison1323]

That's b******* that dude can move out to the desert that you can move to somewhere and I live in California in the desert pay for 25 a month for two bedrooms so he's lying

[@raymondj.2351]

The city of Seattle is starting to see a rise in homeless citizens as well, I lived there 6 years ago and could not imagine that it would be in the shape that's it's in now.

[@melissacastillo8524]

This is horrible I’m feeling for these people god bless those without homes

[@843idfa]

I can sense the slightest of human suffering.

[@gargola1887]

Thats what happens when you lose control of yourself and start doing drugs

[@nunyadamnbidness2531]

"Forcing the homeless into homes is not a solution."

[@ishmaelm1932]

That's true. It doesn't get rid of their drug problems

[@lombardo141]

Ishmael Moh they don’t all have drug problems!!!

[@Demeetrius]

It isn't a solution. It literally just relocates them. It doesn't put any money in their pockets or help them get back onto their feet

[@15thCrypt]

I mean it sounds like the equivalent of old cartoons where a character would break a vase then sweep the broken pieces under a carpet, the damage is still there but it is now hidden

[@3rdARKnight]

I refuse to believe that it wouldn’t help not everyone is homeless do to drugs

[@MartinMTMChannel]

Oh my god, that's so terrible. I pray for you.

[@alezandradavila2581]

I feel horrible for this man I hope someone sees him to find work for him

[@lauvonfr9222]

I hope he can relocate and get himself on track. Probably, when his Mom passed he had a time coping. I don't know when the drugs kicked in but he has the tools but he may need counseling.

[@skullnation9787]

Family members LIE they just to chicken to say it, they think that's not their problem.I bet if he was successful they be right there with their hands out,give me,give me!

[@Faith_Through_Struggle]

Skull Nation well he’s not so that’s not the reality of it everyone has their own side of things and if that’s what they say how can you call them liars, this guys not your family if you want to give him a place to live to test if the family was right about him denying help then by all means

[@mirzapa]

Homies got a better laptop than me.

[@yumitokushige8486]

The California's weather is mild and not cold. It's easy to be seen by and see people.

[@Dom2_cold]

He mentioned cost of housing ‼️‼️‼️‼️. The pressure to work then get payed little to pay a lot for housing damn.

[@simaoluis9443]

He didn’t have financial education. He learned to be a good employee not make positive cash flow

[@captaineurope6564]

The same is happening in London and Birmingham and soon coming to Manchester,Liverpool , Leeds etc. Rent control is urgently needed both in the U.K. and the U.S.

[@antdean9387]

Misleading... he's CHOOSING to be homeless; refusing help from his family... & he obviously possesses the intellect to succeed

[@aprilday9322]

He doesn't want shelter rules, he wants to continue to use meth and live on the street with his husband!!! This is more a mental health issue then a homeless issue...

[@pc8679]

April Day He went to Yale. Alot of highly intellectual people are at risk of becoming mentally ill. Propounded with the stress of highly demanding jobs. The higher you go, the stiffer the competition. One can easily get fired if they can’t keep up. That’s a lot of pressure.

[@kendraseer5198]

Drugs effect psyche more then ppl want to believe

[@wiltuhoward8164]

@@pc8679 I agree

[@ilqrd.6608]

Dude’s life been so hard his eye turned ashen

[@nicolairomanoff4652]

Life happens whether you attended Yale or community college. Homelessness is prevalent especially when rents are soaring high.

[@YourXellency]

I walked out here and seen him once but was more intrigued by the homeless woman who had a portable kitchen built into a shopping cart and took a picture of her instead. Dang!

[@enriquemtz8818]

I hope someone out there sees this and offers that guy a job blessings are coming

[@Slippy-Toad-Love]

Enrique Mtz He’s got a drug problem. Even if he gets a job he’s not going to hold it down.

[@TracyAllen]

Yeah that whole meth thing can really mess people up. That’s probably the reason why he doesn’t want his family to help him… He’s probably not ready to let go of the drugs. For the life of me, it blows my mind trying to understand people that get on drugs and that drug is more important than a roof over their head🤷🏽‍♀️ I struggle trying to pay rent here in San Diego but I don’t have any drug or alcohol habits. Once you start with those types of habits, I’m sure it can be a real challenge trying to keep your habit and pay $1500 or more for rent.

[@Mcthindi]

Rdj was drug addict..just saying

[@Slippy-Toad-Love]

HARSH TRUTH And then he got better. He quit, and now he’s a movie star. If only this guy quit, who knows what will happen.

[@kingmarkseven17]

At least his family tried to help but Umm you gotta stop using drugs first bruh.

[@adamsavage4155]

Lol I like how they wait till the end to mention he's a tweeker

[@thatbemefool]

Adam Savage - Right! Annnd most of the folks in the comments missed that fact as well. He’s a junkie, his family tried to help but he wants to be out there with his husband 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@lonelychameleon3595]

You’re missing the point. Being a meth user isn’t what made him homeless, you’re just using it as a convenient excuse to pin the blame on the individual instead of the unfair system that made him in a homeless tweeker in the first place. Even if they mentioned it earlier you’d still blame drugs for him being homeless. Capitalism made him homeless, drugs came later.

[@crissoa]

Lonely Chameleon how do you know he wasn’t using drugs before he became homeless?? I don’t understand people always wanting to spin the, “capitalism is evil” crap. I’m sure you have an iPhone and/or shop at Walmart.

[@lonelychameleon3595]

@@crissoa - Even if he was doing drugs before he became homeless that wouldn't be the sole reason for him being homeless. Being a drug user (how we define drugs) doesn't automatically equate to poverty, thats a foolish assumption to make. People spin the "capitalism is evil" crap because it is an evil system, one that perpetuates and profits off of individual suffering like this poor bloke who fucking went to the best of the best in terms of schools and got screwed over by the system he worked his ass off for, just like the people who got left behind after the last financial crisis or will get left behind when the next one eventually comes. It's a system that has lifted millions out of poverty yet simultaneously put millions IN poverty, now how about that. But no we'll keep blaming the drugs for making him homeless because its too scary to take a critical eye at the socio-economic system we all take part in, wether we like it or not. Its easier to blame the powerless individual, thats more convenient.

[@crissoa]

Lonely Chameleon capitalism is evil? Yeah sure. A system that ensures that everyday people can create jobs for themselves and people. I never said being a drug user equates to poverty but in his case, being a drug user has made it so that he can never make anything out of his life. You heard him say that he refused help from his family and that he “occasionally” uses meth. He also said that he doesn’t want to live by the rules of a shelter. Do you know many meth addicts who want to live by rules? For a lot of homeless people, believe it or not, they prefer being homeless, it’s just easier for them. They can live how they choose. What is keeping him from getting any other job. It may not be glamorous but it will be enough to keep him off the streets. This isn’t a third world country where there is a socio-economic system that we take part in. This is the US. A lot of these homeless people get some form of aid but they spend it on drugs.

[@MM-tx7gi]

Wow, how sad. Great story.