Homeless Benefit

(Sandusky, Ohio) The Kings Island amusement park north of Cincinnati stocked up on winter coats that are not going to be used since the annual WinterFest was canceled.

So, more than 100 new, fleece-lined coats worth about $150 each found their way to Kings Island's sister park, Cedar Point. It decided to donate them to a local soup kitchen in Sandusky, which plans to distribute them Saturday morning.

Personally, I wouldn't mind having a new fleece-lined, fancy-shmancy $150 winter coat. Hell, I wouldn't mind an old fleece-lined $150 coat.

It's ironic that city leaders throughout the nation complain about the chronic homeless while, at the same time, they give vagrants benefits which make the lifestyle not only tolerable but also, in some cases, quite accommodating.

I contend that if officials were serious about reducing the homeless problems in their communities, logic would demand that fewer incentives be provided which encourage vagrants to continue the lifestyle. Regarding the winter coat giveaway, I'd speculate that many homeless will turn right around and sell them for quick cash to pay for some personal consumables.