I found it disappointing to read that homelessness was tied to liberals, without any support for the statement (“
Labels divide, reducing solutions. We could aptly say that since Trump has come into office, homelessness has increased so it’s the Republicans’ fault.
This attitude doesn’t address the situation.
The homeless can be scary, hurt tourism and make us feel guilty when they ask for money. But those people are American citizens, and knowing that our vets need mental health care, and in the land of plenty, American children are sleeping in the cold without safe shelter, should concern all Americans, not just those with designated labels.
The cost of housing has soared, where many who work still cannot afford to rent. Americans are bankrupted because of our health care system. Tens of millions of jobs have been lost to automation. Our mental health facilities have been continually cut back.
Being homeless is not a luxury that any of us would choose. Labeling people reduces our sense of responsibility to address serious issues.
Spend a day working at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Look in their eyes, learn their names and ask them what happened.
I don’t have solutions, but I do have compassion.
Debby Malcolm
Durango
