Let's talk: Lately, I've been hearing things...

Honestly, I know how to fix my dilemna... Keep my television off. In the morning, when I first wake up, I like to turn on the news to hear the weather. Lately, there seems to be a lot of strange news that makes me say "WHAAAAAAT is going on here? Like yesterdays news about the cab driving being cited for dropping off his fare and not checking his cab for sleeping passengers. By the way, his citation has been dropped to a "warning" and the people that didn't notice that their child was left in the car is not "mad" at him.

Today, I wanted to share this with you. New York City will pick up the tab to fly you and your family anywhere in the world...ANYWHERE... They already shelled out $6,000 to send a family to Paris and around $800 for another family to go to Orlando.

Here's the catch: They will pay for only ONE WAY... (still sound good?) and You have to be "HOMELESS". In order to get the tickets, you must prove that a relative will take your family in when you arrive at your destination.

The mayor wants to reduce the cost to the taxpayer on sheltering NYC homeless. Will this create more problems in other areas? What do you think?

credit to WBZ early morning news.

Comments: 21

D M. Jul 29, 2009, 8:09am EDT

It would be interesting to see if it works. I think they would have to send off a lot of homeless people for it to be reflected in the savings. Also, unfortunately, most homeless people have lost touch with family.

d d. Jul 29, 2009, 8:16am EDT

also, could the family going to orlando...be put on a bus? $800..seems a bit high... did the mayor happen to give them a shower and clean clothes? can be very unsettling for the other passengers if they hadn't showered in a few weeks.

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Ghostly Ghoul Jul 29, 2009, 8:15am EDT

That is just screwed up - he is pushing his homeless problem off on other cities. What a load of crock!

d d. Jul 29, 2009, 8:17am EDT

$6000.00 to paris? did he buy them gucci bags too?

Pamela O. Jul 29, 2009, 8:39am EDT

I agree Ghostly. Guliani was not much better at all. He did great things with crime by moving it to places we could not see. Its like shoving it all under the rug.

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Alicia is probably posting about her kids! H. Jul 29, 2009, 8:27am EDT

It's a creative solution to a persistent problem. If they really do have family to take them in when they get there, maybe it's a more permanent solution than putting them in a shelter. If unemployment is high in New York, maybe they'll have more luck finding a job where they go. What it won't help is all the mentally ill homeless people in New York that have trouble holding down a job or a permanent residence, resulting in chronic homelessness.

d d. Jul 29, 2009, 8:36am EDT

yes, very true.

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Marsha S. Jul 29, 2009, 8:27am EDT

I guess it could be a good idea....if they really have someone to go to, but I agree with the other comment about just pushing the problem on to another city

d d. Jul 29, 2009, 8:38am EDT

I wonder how many people ran to apply after the news broke.... or did the news...not get to them, where ever they are.

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Pamela O. Jul 29, 2009, 8:38am EDT

The policy of NY City has always been if the homeless are not 'visible' then they are not a problem. I used to work there... its a terrible situation. These people have no where to go so lets ship them out of the country? I guess the state is also going to pay for passports and natrualization once they get to their new "home"?

I dunno, it seems like a "not in my backyard' thing instead of actually treating the problem of homelessness in NYC.

d d. Jul 29, 2009, 8:55am EDT

yes, maybe that's why the $6000. one way ticket for a family... passports,naturalization, french lessons, berets...

Trish A. Jul 29, 2009, 9:31am EDT

Most cities have "secret" pockets of homeless people. With the economy so much worse it's getting harder and harder to hide the homeless.

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Blind Lady Liberty Jul 29, 2009, 11:45am EDT

Maybe they should just charter flights to DC. I can't help but wonder how much is coming from soc. sec. for this.

Guliani was not much better at all. He did great things with crime by moving it to places we could not see.

Like closing the door to his office. Crime has become a normal course of business in federal and local governments and though some states are openly blatant about it no state is immune.

d d. Jul 29, 2009, 2:33pm EDT

lol on the flights to D.C.

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☃ Aunt Shanny Jul 29, 2009, 2:34pm EDT

Seems rather silly to me!

d d. Jul 29, 2009, 2:50pm EDT

yes,..those families are laughing all the way to france and orlando...saying Thank you NYC.

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Elizabeth S. Jul 29, 2009, 7:26pm EDT

All big cities try to sweep away the homeless population. If enough people were sent far enough away for a more reasonable fee, it might seems like a good idea. However, wouldn't more homeless travel to the city so they could get sent somewhere.
Interesting concept. It will have to be studies a while to see what works.

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sally g. Jul 31, 2009, 12:47am EDT

with the rate people can't get jobs a lot of people will be homeless.

d d. Jul 31, 2009, 7:20am EDT

i know..it is very scary... one tv financial planner says that the country won't recover until 2015...so everyone, even those that are doing well should buckle down.

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Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Aug 7, 2009, 4:54pm EDT

the local news only discussed the families sent to Orlando Florida
NYC used to put up the homeless in hotels - thousands upon thousands of dollars for each family per year.
Short sighted... YEA!
pif

d d. Aug 7, 2009, 5:28pm EDT

how is NYC in the summer? less crowded?

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Let's talk: Lately, I've been hearing things that make me say "WHAAAAAT?

Comments: 21

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