I side with the bums.

At the I-65 underpass on Wedgewood (Nashville, TN), stood a well-dressed man holding a cardboard sign: "Don't give money to bums. They don't pay income tax." On any given day, this spot is usually occupied by someone who is homeless and hungry, holding his hat for donations. Today the tables are turned, and I find myself wondering who's right and what's wrong with this picture. I usually do not give money to "bums." I pay taxes, and I believe some of this tax money should go to assist those who cannot help themselves: bums being some of those somebodies. But my tax money does not take care of the problem; and with the new federal budget cuts, it will help even less. The hard fact is that the welfare of the poor has never been fully cared for by the government. Charity has always tried to fill in the gaps. That's why I also give to reputable charities. And, on rare occasions, my heart strings are tugged, and I find myself putting a dollar or some loose change into somebody's hat. The well-dressed man with his cardboard protest does not get my vote. I would rather error on the side of being considered a sucker, or even an enabler (in those cases where the money goes for drugs and booze), and give a few bucks to the homeless, poor, and hungry. My conscience is much clearer knowing I tried to help versus knowing I stood in the way of somebody getting a few crusts of bread. Asked to choose, I'd stand beside the bum any day.