‘Giving Money To Beggars Isn’t Kindness, It’s Cruelty’ – John Bird

This is coming from John Bird, the founder of ‘ Big Issue’ after Ed Miliband’s (is a British Labour Party politician, currently the Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition.) public appearances.When he gave some loose change to a young beggar while he walked along a street in Manchester last week.

Read John’s explanation below

If this was an attempt to parade his decency, it backfired disastrously. Instead of looking compassionate, he came across as foolish, opportunistic and embarrassed. Much attention has focused on the reportedly small sum he gave the girl, later identified as a 14-year-old Romanian immigrant. Miliband has also attracted criticism for the disdainful look on his face as he handed over the cash, as if he were repelled by his own action.

It’s only human to feel that impulse to help — to give a few coins to alleviate another’s misery and, all too often, for that impulse to override the quiet voice which asks: am I really helping? The answer is no. Giving to a beggar might momentarily salve the donor’s conscience, but in the longer term it does absolutely nothing to alleviate the plight of the recipient. On the contrary, it locks the beggar in a downward spiral of abject dependency and victimhood, where all self-respect, honesty and hope are lost. Indeed, by reinforcing the beggar’s pitiable condition, a donation is really an act of cruelty rather than kindness. If there is one thing most beggars detest more than people who refuse to give, it is those who do.

I should know, because I was a beggar for much of my early life. Growing up in an Irish immigrant family in London with a father who made it his life’s mission to single-handedly prop up the drinks trade, I first experienced homelessness at the age of five, and between the ages of seven and ten was raised in an orphanage, supplementing my meagre pocket money with what I could get on the streets.

there is far too much sentimentality and cowardice in our political system, which has been ruthlessly exploited by society’s parasites. I have absolutely no time for the pathetic, bleeding-heart mentality so prevalent these days and which destroys traditional concepts of morality and justice.

I firmly believe that anyone who breaks the law or abuses our generosity should be deported not protected by the morally perverted human rights regime which allows them to remain in this country on the basis of their so-called ‘right to a family life’.