A Shake Shack opened this weekend in WEHO, I had never heard of this newest fast food joint, but it entered the LA market with great marketing and apparently reputation. The lines to get a shake, some fries, perhaps a burger and maybe a hot dog were a block long, and seemed to be ceaseless. For me a bit mind boggling that people would stand in line for fast food, but then this IS America and anything with bling and shiny does collect people like a light bulb collects moths. (Just look at those who want to go to a Trump rally). The sidewalks were filled with people, making it difficult to maneuver and of course (many of the people on line were on their phones, so God forbid they step aside as you try to pass.) But I had to wonder about the juxtaposition of the masses standing on line for over priced carnival fare while at the same time I saw many homeless sharing the sidewalks of Santa Monica Boulevard. I had to think about the two direct opposite attractions on the Boulevard; I knew that none of the people standing on line for junk food had any responsibility for the hungry and homeless sharing that same sidewalk, but then I thought again, who DOES have that responsibility. Should I be just as pissed at the silliness of those who can’t resist to be the first to try something, no matter how irrelevant that something might be, as the homeless who dare come to my neighborhood. My answer was no, standing on line for a Shake Shack snack is a choice of many but being hungry and homeless not necessarily so the choice of the ill, elderly or poor. So who has the responsibility to assist with those who can’t afford their boots let alone boot straps to pull themselves up, who have mental illness issues, so even if they wanted to correct their situation may not be able to or those who are left to cling to the urban terrain like rust clings to old metal?
We can blame (as Republicans always do) that these shiftless people are takers, all they need to do is get off of their drugs, and get a job, (you know the kind that supposedly on Mexican rapists want). The German’s had signs over their concentration camps, Work Makes You Free, but as we all know being free and freedom are two separate issues. We are told by the Republicans that only useless people are homeless and hungry, never taking into account the returning Vets who never received their fair share of government support, the white folk living in Appalachia who have their Planned Parenthood Clinics closed and their antiquated schools, and the millions who have a job but need at least another to pay all of their bills (and maybe a third). So, who should take carer of the hungry and homeless? it seems that in the politics of blame, bias and bigotry no one should take care of them because to truly be a patriotic American if you can’t do it for yourself then you do n to deserve it. (Of not if you are an Oil Company, the Big Banks, the NFL, Mega Churches, or the 1%; cause THEN the government should come to reduce…again because that is what makes America great.
Long lines Friday through Sunday at the Shake Shack, Mazol Tov to that company they will take in big dollars, and this is a part of capitalism that works well. But I still have to wonder, with all the wealth, all the success, all the celebrations who should take care of the hungry and homeless. Better yet, why in a nation where we can send satellites to outer reaches of space, can build sky scrapers to the heavens, can pay our athletic gladiators and movie stars millions of dollars, why do we still have homelessness , hunger and poverty? Food Glorious Food!
