Letter: William Lawlor: Inside, homeless people just like everybody else
               

Thank you William Lawlor - outreach worker - for your compassionate letter appealing for a humane attitude toward the homeless. But the homeless people in Rhode Island have been in the news for decades now.

 

 It is not hard hearts that keep them OUTSIDE the community. It is the sacrosanct nature of PRIVATE PROPERTY in a capitalist society. Just now in the midst of this dreadful Hurricane report I hear the HAVES preaching SELF-RELIANCE to the HAVE NOTS.

 

 A while back the Providence Journal published a letter on my homeless friend " Ragged Dave ". He was once a millionaire ( " that's NOTHING nowadays ", he tells me ) . But even the fortunate are vulnerable in capitalist America. Presently " Ragged Dave " is OK but still living precariously . Last week a Jewish charity gave him the funds for a full tank of gas. After he drove off the Old Lincoln Town Car broke down. This is all right out of a Charlie Chaplin movie.

           The Charlie Chaplin song " Smile " is good listening for the homeless and the soon to be homeless. But SOCIALISM is even better. " Ragged Dave " is all for socialism now.  

Smile

Music by Charles Chaplin, Lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through
for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you’ll just
Smile           

 

Charlie Chaplin " Smile "