“Let them die.. and decrease the surplus population”.

“Portly Gentleman: At this festive time of year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time.

Ebenezer: Why?”

This attitude of Scrooge seems to tie in nicely to this story in the Star, appropriately titled, “Affluent freeze out homeless“, which details how an upscale neighbourhood in Toronto are threatening to use legal action to prevent a church in their neighbourhood from feeding and housing up to 12 homeless people one night a week during the wintertime.

I guess the residents don’t want to feel guilty seeing a bunch of homeless people getting out of the cold and walking to church in their neighbourhood as they race by in their Porsches. It appears to be another case of NIMBY (not in my backyard) for these folks living here. Why, it might drive the property value of the neighbourhood down, if someone happenned by on that particular day and saw all these homeless folk trudging to Church to get relief from sleeping out in the cold!

As someone with a strong social consciense both politically and religiously, I find it very appalling that we still have Scrooge-like attitudes from some people in this day and age. It is an attitude that must be constantly be combatted.

Spirit of Christmas Present: If it’s too hard a lesson for you to learn, then learn this lesson! [opens his robe, revealing two starving children]
Ebenezer: [shocked] Spirit, are these your children?
Spirit of Christmas Present: They are Man’s. This boy is Ignorance, this girl is Want. Beware them both, but most of all, beware this boy!
Ebenezer: But have they no refuge, no resource?
Spirit of Christmas Present: [quoting Scrooge] Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?