Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
I've got an idea about homelessness, you know what they aught to do? Change the name of it.
It's not homelessness, it's houselessness. It's houses these people need.
A home is an abstract idea, a home is a setting, it's a state of mind.
These people need houses. Physical, tangible, structures. They need low-cost housing. But where are you going to put it?
That's fine, but where are you going to put it? Nobody wants you to build low-cost housing near their house.
People don't want it near them.
We've got something in this country, you've heard of it, it's called nimby. N-I-M-B-Y. Not In My Back Yard.
People don't want anything, any kind of social help, located anywhere near 'em.
Try to open up a halfway house, open up a drug rehab or an alcohol rehab centre. Try to do a homeless shelter somewhere.
Try to open up a little home for some retarded people who want to work their way into the community.
People say 'Not in my back yard'! People don't want anything near them.
Especially if it might help somebody else.
Part of that great American spirit of generosity we hear about. [ makes rude noises, audience applause ]
Great, generous, American spirit.