It’s time to solve homelessness

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To the editor:

What is a simple definition of government? 

“A system of social control under which the right to make laws, and the right to enforce them, is vested in a particular group in society.”

Governments are supposed to maintain law and order. Laws are necessary for society to function.

What kind of society are we creating when our government sings a chorus against a homeless shelter? Homeless individuals are members of our society — albeit less fortunate than those individuals controlling our government.

Why can’t we have a government that works together with all individuals to solve the problems of our society?

Our society has a problem. Members of our society are hungry and homeless. Why are they hungry and homeless? Because they can’t afford food or shelter.

When are we going to solve this problem? The fortunate individuals need to come together and learn to share our resources so that we can overcome this problem. Together we need to build a society that recognizes the worth and dignity of every individual in our society.

The fortunate individuals will say, “Of course we want to help, but let someone else share their resources and do it somewhere else.”

Let’s create a better society. Let’s solve homelessness.

John Benfatti

The author is the emergency overnight shelter coordinator for Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture

John Benfatti, homeless, New York City, shelters

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