What is acceptable panhandling?

Posted

To the Editor:
If a new business were to make a request to the town council for a tax break, I don’t think the request would be viewed as panhandling. The solicitation probably would be welcomed. The business is asking for a handout of taxpayer money – it’s an acceptable form of panhandling.
We have carefully crafted distinctions based on certain factors, along with language and words to make asking for money respectable or business like. We frame the asking in words and phrases like incentives, loans and tax breaks, but when you get right down to the basic transaction, it’s an ask for help – it’s an acceptable form of panhandling.
This fall politicians panhandled for money and votes. I received numerous unwanted telephone calls and flyers that invaded my time and space from the mayor and other council members. These calls, flyers and lawn signs asking for my vote are deemed as acceptable panhandling.
In many of our tax exempt churches a basket is passed asking for money – it’s a classic form of panhandling. In fact, this type of panhandling comes closer to fitting how the term panhandling originated. The term panhandling used in this context may make us uncomfortable, but it’s panhandling.
What is the difference, is it perception or privilege? Why is a business request for a tax break, a church passing a collection basket and a request for a vote and donations from a politician any different from the person on the street corner asking for help? Is it the clothes, the sign or location?
Could it be that we don’t want to be confronted with the reality of poverty and homelessness in our community because it makes us uncomfortable. Should we be more afraid of street panhandlers or business and politician panhandlers who take our money? Wasn’t Curt Schilling one of the more notorious panhandlers that ever panhandled our state? Is the difference that one is a celebrity and the other a nobody. Does it make it acceptable if you panhandle in the corridors of the state house or on a street corner? Is it OK to panhandle if you’re one of the haves, but a crime if you’re one of the have-nots?
You might excuse a business for panhandling because it might contribute by creating jobs. Fair enough, but jobs alone don’t make a community. I believe that street panhandlers also contribute to our community by reminding us of how fortunate we are and how fragile stability and life is. They help me not take for granted all that I have and provide me the opportunity to share my good fortune. We have a moral and community responsibility to help those in need – that is the essence of what community.
We don’t need a law or ordinance packaged as a public safety issue, when the effect is to discriminate against the unfortunate from asking for help. We need to come together to look for constructive ways to address the reasons why people stand on street corners and ask for help. We need to ensure that the business who get favorable treatment support our community and that tax-exempt organizations use their exemptions to help the less fortunate.
Take care, give care and be present.

Tom Wojick
Cranston

Comments

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  • bendover

    ???? MR. Wojick, your "analogies" are so far fetched they can only be viewed as comedic relief. My view of PANHANDLING would be someone who works and is gainfully employed as a line cook or executive chef in a restaurant doing real work. Using my own metric of RI "panhandling" would be the equal of a New Delhi street beggar, but that is just me. I guess you are OK with a $75.00 fine as a driver for throwing a buck in a beggars cup? YEAH, blame the driver...I have a better idea...Charter a bus with 50 beggars and drop them off in front of Steve Brown's house with their signs, issue them air-horns, and they will leave after Stevie boy makes them all pancakes...Drop them off at a different lawyers house everyday of the week...Have a nice day.

    Friday, January 27, 2017 Report this

  • Kammy

    The difference between a business/church/politician is that they must request money within a certain construct or process.There are rules and regulations for such a request. Paperwork must be filled out. Consequences if not handled appropriately. Panhandlers do not have any such rules and therefore can create chaos in their attempt to request money. I have seen for myself safety issues and traffic issues with those panhandling on Rt. 2 and Pontiac Ave. The panhandler and driver must be mindful and careful during each interaction. There are also stories caught on camera where someone is panhandling and then goes back to their BMW in a parking lot with their daily gains. There are not parameters for panhandling and it is starting to cause more problems than help. There are programs and churches that can and do help those that require assistance. But it is much easier to stand on the corner and beg for money. And if they don't get money? Bang on the window and curse at the driver. There are no rules to follow, no church guidelines to be met. AND just so we are clear, I believe in helping the less fortunate but not by handing over cash that may or may not be used to help a family or for food.

    Friday, January 27, 2017 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    the only good panhandler is a dead panhandler

    Tuesday, January 31, 2017 Report this