In Canada, local governments, through their by-laws, can and usually do dictate certain aesthetic requirements for their communities. They can and usually do dictate minimum sizes for residences, including rooms within them, and the type of materials used. And that’s just the beginning of it. NIMBYism is well-supported by and entrenched within municipal legislation.

I notice, however, that you referred to “human suffrage.” As a feminist, I’ve been much involved with that–it’s the right to vote, but I don’t think that’s what you intended.

The post was called: Zach Bonner Arrives In Washington D.C.

Since you admit that you “… understand that animals in america get more support than homeless,” I find it a bit disappointing that you do not consider the homeless “… relevant to this.”

Since over one-million children experience homelessness in this nation over the course of a year, I would consider that to be highly relevant. In addition – it is also relevant that there Veterans in this nation who are literally going to sleep each night on the streets of our cities.

And, it is precisely because so many consider the homeless to be irrelevant that they are not provided with the types of services which could hep them get off the streets.

There are so many other stupid issues that need to be fought that it saddens me to see someone like you, so willing to speak out for the needy, attacking something that would actually help people. Do you know how many low income families have dogs and cats they cant afford to get veterinary care for? You think an animal should have to suffer because a parent wants their child to grow up with a pet but cant afford it.

It wouldnt be the government giving people money, it’d be the government allowing them to keep some of it. I feel for the homeless but they arent relevant to this.

Talk about how we help tsunami victims before helping people who have lost homes due to forest fires in our own country. Talk about the dolphins who we urgently need to rescue (via helicopter!) because they decide to take a nice day trip up a river they can easily navigate back out of. Talk about the money PETA earns every year in the name of saving animals which is then used to kill feral cat and stray dogs.

There are so many idiocies going on everyday that you can focus on and yet you choose something harmless like this?

That being said you sound like your heart is in the right place, and I respect the way you write and voice you opinions.

Sometimes I become disheartened by the amount of opposition the homeless face from the general public for exactly the reasons you mentioned: stereotypes and stigma create the barriers for the community at large to embrace a “minority” population such as the homeless (those “lazy, crazy” folk).

So how can we encourage our communities to grow in awareness and social concern? How can we unlearn the misconceptions we have come to accept as truth to see each other as -people- deserving of equal opportunities (homes, jobs, health, friendship, community)?

That’s the question I’m asking right now.