bluebell Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Begging in Russia in our experience was primarily done by children, even to the point of putting a crying toddler in a cardboard box large enough he couldn't climb out of it and sticking that on a corner in winter. I couldn't see any parent nearby. It was so very, very wrong. Another time a little Gypsy girl (Gypsies were the most common beggars at the time we were there, they were pretty much despised as criminals by the rest of the Russians so them choosing to use children made social sense as horrific as that is) came up to my husband on the train where he was sitting and tried to take his hands and stroke them and lay her head in his lap. It freaked him out. She apparently went up and down the train cars for a number of hours on many days as I believe he saw her again in another car on a different day. Perhaps it is simply that parents can't get someone to watch their kids, but I am cynical enough (perhaps from my time in Russia where begging was a profession for many) that when I see two adults with children with them or even a man and a woman together, that I think it is most likely they are going for the increased donations since one of the adults could be off in the park watching the kids or some place else safer and less attention getting for the kids' sake or if just two adults, one of the adults could be off trying to get a job or doing something else useful. It has been rare before to see a woman out begging in my area, I think I've seen it maybe twice before this past year, now not so uncommon, especially with kids attached. I don't see it as healthy for kids to be part of begging even if it might be the only way for a parent to get money for them (I doubt this is true given the extensive welfare setup not only available in the state, but through the Church if the parents are willing to make the effort and accept the rules that are given along with the assistance). I agree.
Garden Girl Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 (edited) I have noticed an increase of parents with children on street corners begging as well in our area (Layton and Ogden). It would be interesting to know if something has changed, or if people have discovered that they get more donations when they have children with them. I never give money to the people who stand at entrances to parking lots, etc., with a cardboard sign. "God Bless" my foot. That is such a scam... they are part of a large group purposely sent out by a "manager" who handles the money, giving a percentage to the individual doing the begging... they can make good money because there are always those willing to give... imo they are duped and just perpetrate the practice... the ones that get me are the ones that have dogs with them... which to me is cruel and I've considered calling the animal control people. Now they've graduated from using dogs to using children or "spouses." One time my husband and I saw a "family" and instead of giving money went into the market and bought groceries for sandwiches... we pulled up and the "dad" grabbed the food and then started in with a sob story about how they thought their little girl might have a broken arm and hit us up for money... that did it for us... I looked him in the eye and told him to take her to the emergency room as she couldn't be turned away. He ignored that completely... So... no more! I've been criticized for this "uncharitable" attitude, by those who say they would rather give than be guilty of not helping... of being unChristlke... phooey...there's plenty of places people can go for help here in our little town... I support Salvation Army, Red Cross, Loaves & Fishes... GG Edited July 14, 2015 by Garden Girl 2
Stone holm Posted July 14, 2015 Posted July 14, 2015 Mormons have been building planned cities for hundred+, of years. Nothing new!Mormons used to build planned cities, when since the dawn of the 20 th Century?
KevinG Posted July 15, 2015 Posted July 15, 2015 (edited) Mormons used to build planned cities, when since the dawn of the 20 th Century? You know the Mormons planned a city when your address is something like: 1000 West, 2350 North, and your street is wide enough to turn around a loaded Ox cart without backing up. Edited July 15, 2015 by KevinG 3
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