Do Homeless People Make You Feel Guilty?

I read an article in my college newspaper, the DePaulia, a month or so ago that really disturbed me. I think it was the last line "I have some more homeless people I need to ignore" that got me the most. The whole article talked about how this guy did not want to deal with salespeople on the street, homeless people, and those who are trying to save the environment. It's rather sad when our country is at war; and murders, rapes, and poverty happen daily, and this guy found it more aggravating to talk about a man who sells Streetwise newspapers outside of a Dominicks grocery store.

In a world where we feel like two bags of chips for $4 is a sale and one cup of hot chocolate is almost the same price, it amazes me that so many people snub those who really do need money. I even have to reflect on my own monetary actions. I come to work everyday and grab a 75¢ small bag of Cheez-its, grab a bag of Cheetos while I'm in night class, and might grab a gourmet hot chocolate at Borders on the way there, but have caught myself rolling my eyes at one particular Streetwise guy that I see in front of Starbucks on my way to work. He shoves newspapers in peoples' faces and no matter how many he has, he always belts out "I only have to sell one more." I think he'd be a great salesman as pushy as he is. Although he annoys me, I have to self-reflect. If I can blow so much money on food I really don't need, why not help out someone who does? By the next corner, I feel guilty and drop some change into the cup of someone who needs it. If I can spend $5 on junk food, I can afford to give someone $1.