Musings

The Rolling Stones wrote a classic song with the lyric, ‘Gimme Shelter’. They could have been referring to the homeless in America.

In 2007, families constituted around 41 percent of America's homeless. Of the remaining 59 percent, statistics show that between 23 and 40 percent are veterans, and persons with mental illness make up around 25 percent. One study in Los Angeles determined that women constitute 49 percent of America's homeless population. This same study reports that children under the age of 18 represent 39 percent of the overall homeless population.

Homelessness in America is on the rise at an alarming rate, and homelessness has not been given the recognition it deserves on any level, local, state, or federal. Government agencies turn the other cheek regarding solutions to homelessness.

In 2009, it is estimated that 3.5 million Americans are homeless, and 1 million more will be joining their ranks. Sadly, the homeless include displaced senior citizens taxed out of their retirement, homes foreclosed, again from taxation (due to property valuations), and now living out of their cars.

Official government statistics state that the current unemployment rate is 10. 5%, but the actual number is around 18%. Projected economic growth though 2013 is about 2% on an annual basis, so these folks will be without jobs for a very long time. Soon, many more millions will be added to the tent cities in the parks and outskirts of major cities around the country.

What can be done to help them? More FEMA trailers won’t do the job (by the way, these are now being sold for as little as one dollar).

I have an idea that occurred to me in my power place: The bathroom. Like Native Americans, we white men have one. In it, we ponder weighty matters on the toilet. In the shower, we are compelled by some strange force to burst into song, usually a tune from the ‘Sound of Music’. We stare into the mirror above the sink to detect any emerging flaws of appearance or character.

But, I digress.....

I propose we move them all to Florida. It is a temperate and usually benign setting (except for the occasional hurricane). With no need for winter heating oil, it is an ideal location. But, you might ask, how do you propose to provide them with permanent, low-cost, hurricane proof lodging?

Well, here it is:

Researchers at the Kassel University are exploring new synergies of constructions and materials - including a combination of membrane constructions and concrete. To create this lightweight building out of concrete, a flexible skin with an embedded membrane structure is inflated with air and filled up with a special concrete mixture such as UHPC (Ultra High Performance Concrete). Once the substance is hardened a solid concrete skeleton allows the building to be finished from the inside.

Now, to feed them all, we simply turn a lot of swampland into rice paddies.

Speaking of innovative thinking, I am preparing for the remote possibility that I might survive into my late seventies or beyond. Among other things, I foresee a lot of soiled underwear or diapers. Therefore I have on order an amazing new invention for my power center.

Here is a picture of my new combination toilet/washer: