Outcasts: Tonight Tens Of Thousands Of Formerly Middle Class Americans Will Be Sleeping In Their Car

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Economic despair is beginning to spread rapidly in America. As you read this, there are millions of American families that are just barely hanging on by their fingernails. For a growing number of Americans, it has become an all-out battle just to be able to afford to sleep under a roof and put a little bit of food on the table. Sadly, there are more people than ever that are losing that battle. Tonight, tens of thousands of formerly middle class Americans will be sleeping in their cars, even though that is illegal in many U.S. cities. Tens of thousands of others will be sleeping in tent cities or on the streets. Meanwhile, communities all over America are passing measures that are meant to push tent cities and homeless people out of their areas. It turns out that once you lose your job and your home in this country you become something of an outcast. Sadly, the number of “outcasts” is going to continue to grow as the U.S. economy continues to collapse.

Most Americans that end up living in their cars on in tent cities never thought that it would happen to them.

http://endtimeinfo.com/2011/07/outcasts

[truedelphi]

1. Thank you for posting.

I am sure that it has been pointed out before, but often Americns who are homeles but sleeping inside a car or van, or crashing on someone's couch, are not counted as being so.

And a big K & R.

[avaistheone1]

2. Sadly many, many more to come.

k&r

[RKP5637]

3. Sadly, many never really get what is going on in this country 'till it happens to them. Sadly,

this appears, apparently, to be part of human nature. Thanks for posting this.

[juajen]

4. We have plenty of land in this country that belongs to the people.

It's time for tent cities to be allowed all over this country and supported by the states and federal government and all citizens that can afford to do so. They also need to be equipped with portable showers and toilets and an area for dropped off necessities an donated money. A lot of the homeless are not unemployed; but, underemployed and kicked out of homes they could once afford. It is damnable that people have to go to work unclean in this country because they can no longer afford a home or apartment. They are humiliated enough, without having to go to lower paying jobs unclean

Please keep this thread kicked.

[RKP5637]

5. K&R n/t

[ixion]

6. It's always been that way in the US

I went backpacking around the country when I got out of college in the late 80's, and one thing that was consistent was that I was treated as an 'unperson' in whatever city I happened to be in.

[RKP5637]

7. The US in many ways can be gross and disgusting, particularly now. n/t

[Gari]

8. Mega church charity

I have mega churches on the brain this week, they are a major industry here in Texas, you see billboards advertising them all over. I wonder how welcome and what form of Christian charity any of these folks would receive if they petitioned for help as one of the "least of these" that Christ mentioned? I'm thinking the police would be involved.

That said, homelessness is a horrible, heartbreaking problem that can happen to any of us given the thinness of the social safety net. Ironic in a time when banks are plowing down abandoned homes.

[grasswire]

9. most churches will refer the needy to government programs

That is the gospel truth.

I don't think any of them would ever treat a stranger like a brother, take him into the home, give him the best clothes in the house, feed him the fatted calf, etc.

The first referral is to a government-funded program.

[Gari]

10. True!

My second oldest sister worked for Salvation Army for a time, probably the best in our area at actual help, with a system in place for offering help with food, bills, shelter, clothing, etc. The non-poor in our area seem amazed at the concept that poor people have pride, deserve respect and that they are not all going to drive away in their new cars after suckering an innocent charity out of $$$ Oh, and the concept that poor people might actually be employed, well, that is simply not possible in the minds of the Re-pubs around here.

[bengalherder]

12. Many give charity-at a price.

Cults of all stripes are notorious for using such simple accommodation as food and shelter as a lure.

[bengalherder]

11. This shit is soul-numbing.

I've been periodically homeless. I've lived for months at a time in a car or in a tent. Those after 2 AM taps on the window to tell you that the nice officer won't bust you if you move along, never mind bathroom facilities...

I think many middle class people don't want to acknowledge the reality, because then they'd have to accept that they are in just such a precarious situation, have been for a long time. To change anything they will have to unite with those they have been socialized to feel to see as 'less than'. It's going to be interesting to see how far it all goes.

PS: This has been happening to the poor and working class since Reagan. Surprise, surprise, it took it happening to the middle class for people to notice.

[Hoosier Daddy]

13. Just a couple of missed payments away

And that holds true for way too many of us!

[AverageJoe90]

14. Sad stuff.

And f*** the councilmen who thought it was a good idea to make it illegal to sleep in your car.