Increase in beggars on Munich streets

Loads of beggars on the streets in Graz, dont know which were real beggars or which were day trippers from Slovenia. Monkstown, is Thatcher to blame for them too or, Blair??? Hey, maybe we should have Stalin back, no beggars about then, dunno where they were either!!

Economic upheaval coupled with a noticeable weakening of the welfare state produces more homeless. You particualry notice it in richer areas becasue people do the Tebbit (UK reference) thing and "get on their bikes".

Whether or not in the Slovak case the "mafia" are involved, there's been mass de-industrialisation in Slovakia, mass cuts in social security (leading to food riots in some poorer towns) and people can travel easily enough to Munich.

I'd guess relatively similar to Slovenia and Graz.

Similar to parts of northern England and London.

I thought the "Tebbit" thing was "do not expect work to come to you, go to the work" which meant a more flexible work force. I did not take it to mean, "if you cannot find work locally, claim your benefit, travel to a place where there is money and beg for it".

I havent seen or heard many "beggars" from the North of England in London on my travels, though I dont try to search them out. I did see a documentary about the Met' in London and a "street bobby" said that the West End pick-pockets are run by 3 Romanian families, (all contesting deportation and claiming asylum), so that if you want to pick-pocket in the west end, you go through them.

To make things extra scary, Claire Short said on question time that she believed in free travel for everyone, people should be allowed to travel where and when they want without any restriction...!!!??? Now, there is thought!!

There's a serious argument to be had about "no borders".
If capital and the rich can move as they wish, why not labour?

There was a panic when Spain etc joined the EU but who worries now about Spaniards working in the UK?

Western Europe wanted the new EU members in eastern Europe as markets and as a pool of cheaper (for the minute) labour. You can't have your cake and eat it. I've no problems with Poles, Czechs etc working in western Europe; we have to watch that employers don't misuse their labour to undercut wages and conditions mind.

Another interesting occurance amongst beggars in the UK is the relatively high number of ex-servicemen doing it. The state / society using young men for its army and then throwing them on the scrap heap...

I agree with your point but the point I was making was that Claire Short, a senior government minister at the time, believed that anyone can travel from anywhere, unchecked and unrestricted!!?? This would be highly dangerous and what of the countries that couldnt stop people leaving. You would have another Fidel "right, I will clear out my jail of all my non-political prisoners, chuck em on a boat for Florida and keep my political prisoners and anyone of any use to me", special

The armed forces do not just throw people on the scrapheap. They pay for re-training and re-settlement courses. They appoint a resettlement person to help you find work and or dwellings. There are various, military run, advisory centres that are a tremendous help, even for dependants that have never served in the military. Interest free loans are available for those most in need (not for a new car or swimming pool). How do I know this?? I was in the military from 84-90 and went through the whole system. The problem with the military is that most, including myself, dont put roots down quickly as we tend to get "posted" to wherever we are needed and thus dont form any lasting attachments to areas or neighbourhoods.

Not doubting your personal experience, but I'd suggest there is a higher proportion of ex-servicement begging / sleeping rough etc in London than their % in the population as a whole.

Claire Short is an ex Development Minister. As I said there is a serious debate to be had about "no borders", I'm personally in favour of moving in that direction.
But it has to be coupled with levelling out inequalities in the world.

Germany has had a go at dumping its "problem cases" abroad before quite recently, look up the "Mehmet" story.

You are absolutely correct that there are a lot of ex-servicemen on the street but it is not because there is no one there to help them or that they are not aware that there is help available.

As for open borders, it would nice but unfortunately, unworkable. There is good and bad in every person, whatever colour or creed they may be but we all know that a lot of people would use an open border policy dishonestly to the advantage of themselves and the detriment of others.

People like Rupert Murdoch?

Ive definetly seen one blind guy in Munich and Stuttgart.

He holds up a sign and has the arm bad on of course.

I was in Stuttgart 2 years and used to se him regulary but I was surprised to see him in Munich.

Maybe he does a couple of days in Stuttgart and a couple of days in Munich a week.

They are the 2 most richest cities arent they?

Some homeless people and beggars do move around seasonaly,
From what I know, summer in Munich is a "good" time.

I was in Town last week, and noticed that the team of "beggars" operating around Munchener Freiheit have anow all been equipped with a fluffy sweet puppy each. I shit you not, every one of them now has a puppy.
Need my small change? What the fuck for, are you starting a pissing zoo?!?
So these puppies are gonna have a GREAT life, sitting on the pavement looking sad for tourists.

I urge you all to not give these arseholes any money, and preferably spit on them as you walk past, or at the very least them a look of deep disgust and disdain.