You must reply this to this thread, because I have an idea,... help is needed.

Hell I want a slave!
Be like, "Slave, get me a bowl of raisin bran!"

I understand how in helping someone you want something in return, perhaps assistance in your house chores. But therein lies the problem. You expect to help someone with a reward in mind.
Or I could have misread your post.

Either way the best way to help someone is to do what you can and don't expect anything in return. This is the gift of giving.
And as others stated your post does come off a bit, well, arrogant or selfish.

The best thing to do would be to contact some crisis centers or the like to offer your help and assistance.



[edit on 26-3-2009 by N3krostatic]

I`d like to offer my spare room to an American Cheerleader, between 18 to 21, size 8 waist, heavy top half, intelligent, single and a face like Angelina Jolie who finds herself in dire straights and wants to see out the end of the world in Scotland. I am indeed selfless in every act. P.s to the OP If you have a young family I would not encourage letting anyone into your home

Your suggestion is a mutually beneficial agreement that I wholely admire.

Essentially you are swapping one service (shelter, food) for another (cleaning, washing etc).

It's far from socialism... socialism would be if the unemployed mother claimed that by owning the house you must have stolen from the proletariat, and demanded half the house in law, forever.

Your idea is free market capitalist, but no less admirable for it.

how ridiculous that people are calling this socialism, it's called the barter system he even suggests a contract. Basically the op is looking for a nanny/housekeeper. however I think a small salary should be included depending on the amount of work involved.

Great idea and awesome generosity and hospitality, S+F for you...

Remember that our rulers and profiteers depend on our division and distrust of each other, and keep in mind there re many ways to check if a certain single mom would be a good fit in your home.
Talking to social workers who know the person you're considering to offer to help is an easy way to screen them, and of course you could start with a trial period of 1 week.

This and yardsharing has a lot of potential towards a brighter future of co-operation, sustainability and independance.
By the time we can vacate the financial institution's skyscrapers and buildings, there'll be plenty of room for all the homeless in the nation.

I was thinking along the same lines last night, but totally different.

If everyone took in just one homeless animal, think of the heaviness we could get rid of. Think of the relief in that one animals eyes. Think of the millions that could be saved.

It'll never happen, but I wish on it always.

I like some of the ideas so far. Dont listen to the dorks who are calling you a slave trader. If I were you, I'd help my own kids iwth homework, less this mom is really smart. I'm smart, I want my kids to be smart, I'll help them (in 10 years when i have kids) but if the kid is comfortable with the mom, go for it.

I was thinking nominal amount of rent if possible, like if she gets stuck witha 7 dollar an hour job 30 hours a week, 50 bucks a month is nothing to ask ya know? She can keep her dignity that way, she still ahs to do some cleaning and watch your kid and stuff, give status reports etc. Id say no to drugs as well! IF she doesn't have a job, my toilet better sparkle!


horaay! good for you. Look to your local church to see if they have anyone in need like this. pastors most likely will be a good judge of character (not 100% but most things arent). :

Originally posted by blujay
I was thinking along the same lines last night, but totally different.

If everyone took in just one homeless animal, think of the heaviness we could get rid of. Think of the relief in that one animals eyes. Think of the millions that could be saved.

It'll never happen, but I wish on it always.

I would never have any other dog except one that is homeless; they just know when they have gotten lucky, you can tell. They make the best pets ever.

Everything in life has a risk and so does the acts you want to commit.

For some of us it is worth it and others it is not.

I will applaud you if you actually go and do this though, because it is risks like this the world needs...not the rob a bank and hope to get away mentality.

Your idea is good but at the same time, you should watch who you bring in and try to bring in a potential person who will help contribute to society later. But, if it is chores you want done and that is all the "pay" you want, I guess any hobo would suffice.

reply to post by St Udio


1st of all, let me be very clear that I am not dependent upon my community, as you imply. I have not allowed myself to be. This has not been a "career choice" that I have made as you have obviously stated. Simply a situation that I found myself in, due to circumstances beyond my control.
I work where I can, whenever I can. I provide services, ie; Snow Removal, Window Washing, Bartending at special events, general maintenance, etc... to maintain my independence and to prevent myself from being a burden on my community.
I craft items that people within and outside my community feel are of monetary value, and happily purchase them...no Social Darwinism there.
I believe my previous post shows that I am articulate enough that "mental slowness" is not part of my modus operandi.
The point of my post, that you obviously missed, is that we all can do something to help others less fortunate than ourselves during these difficult times, and that kind of charity and kindness breeds more charity and kindness.
If you would have read the entire post, you would have seen the part where I stated I am leaving the state because of a new job I have found. If this had been a "Lifestyle of Choice" as you have inferred, why would I choose to end it?

[edit on 26-3-2009 by Elostone]

I believe there are lots of homeless people who are fine with their way of life, in fact there are plenty who choose it. I also believe there are lots of homeless people who just need that one boost, that one opportunity to get their life squared away. I think you could contact the Salvation Army and explain what you are wanting to do, and that they could match you with someone that has been in their system too long and that they know would benefit from this arrangement. I feel that Salvation Army employees, they know who the systemized ones are, the ones who just want enough to exist for the day, they also identify the people who thru the hand of fate wound up in a bad way and just need that one chance.

How is this any different than just hiring a live in maid? Is there something I am missing?

reply to post by Doomsday 2029

You must reply this to this thread, because I have an idea,... help is needed.

Alright, I've written enough ... I need you to finish this idea that I've started.

Source : OP

Nice !

All I can say is really, really nice ! < S & F >

Community is the one thing which can save us, now that the universe herself has brough humanity to the edge. And, really, IMHO this is the lesson we absolutely MUST learn, both as individuals and as a species, to turn back from the abyss and save ourselves and our childrens' futures - that, regardless of what we've all been taught to the contrary, since early childhood, as you so rightfully point out, we are all family!

Relevant Background
Divide and conquer is an old, old strategy employed by an elite class to maintain control over the masses, that is to say - US, to wit -

Divide and Rule

In politics and sociology, divide and rule (derived from Latin divide et impera) (also known as divide and conquer) is a combination of political, military and economic strategy of gaining and maintaining power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy. In reality, it often refers to a strategy where small power groups are prevented from linking up and becoming more powerful, since it is difficult to break up existing power structures.

...

The use of this technique is meant to empower the sovereign to control subjects, populations, or factions of different interests, who collectively might be able to oppose his rule.

...

The use of this strategy was imputed to administrators of vast empires, including the Roman and British, who were charged with playing one tribe against another to maintain control of their territories with a minimal number of imperial forces. The concept of "Divide and Rule" gained prominence when India was a part of the British Empire, but was also used to account for the strategy used by the Romans to take Britain, and for the Anglo-Normans to take Ireland. It is said that the British used the strategy to gain control of the large territory of India by keeping its people divided along lines of religion, language, or caste, taking control of petty princely states in India piecemeal.

Source : Wikipedia

Check it out -

Results 1 - 100 of about 1,120,000 for "divide and conquer" ... (0.51 seconds)

Source : Google

As we can see from replies to the OP like this one, the strategy has been fully implemented ...

It's all right in front of our noses, people ...

Heh. So a wealthy white woman searches the streets of New Orleans, only picking up black males, gangsta looking ones and brings them to her home? Really, what was she up to, maybe making movies?

Very thoughtful however it sounds like you're looking for a servant. You also might want to change your screen name from doomsday lol just saying.

reply to post by Doomsday 2029


It is called a live-in maid.

When I was a kid, my mother brought a girl from our hometown with us when we moved to an inner-city suburb of St. Louis. She had the duties of housekeeper and babysitter during the week with room and board and a small weekly stipend.

It lasted until she got lazy. Then she got driven back to our hometown and dropped off at her grandmother's house (the town was too small to have a bus station).

A single mother who needs a similar situation might do well for you, and the presence and needs of her child could possibly keep the mother from getting too comfortable.

reply to post by Doomsday 2029


Whoa there mr. good Samaritan..

But, a written contract would have to conducted.

This single mother can live in my house if she performs certain duties, such as cleaning, cooking, helping OUR children study, and spending time searching for a job, so she can eventually get back on her feet.

drug & alcohol adictions could pose a problem...

You should know that in most states it's illegal to kick someone out of your house for any reason unless your evicting for failure to pay rent (in which case you still have to go to court half the times)

If you invite someone into your home, then decide they are not... cleaning enough ... your going to have a very uncomfortable living situation...

Not that I don't think it's a good idea. I just don't naturally expect the best in people, and I would hate to see decent people get screwed.

From all indications, things are going to get a lot worse. Sad to say, you will probably encounter plenty of people in the near future who need help. You might consider volunteering at a shelter or at least visiting one and letting them get to know you and you get to know them. Then let them know what your looking for and see what they say and/or come up with.

I'm told my ancestors never turned a person away that came to the door for food during the depression and they never had them eat out back. They always came in, cleaned up and sat at the table with the family. I suspect there will be lots of similar opportunities to do a good turn, ever if it's just for one meal.

Just sent five hundred dollars to a mission down in Haiti, children dieing like starved rats. I would also be selectively willing to share my home. I have so much while the world is going/gone to hell in a "hand basket". The abyss is here for many. It will be with others of like mind that we will share this very unnerving future with. Love is empty unless it reaches out. I will have to move by faith but my heart wants to give as I know many here feel the same way. The truth is what really separates us here at ATS from those evil monsters who have NO CONSCIOUS....did you here that Bush....you will surely burn in the fires of eternal hell.

reply to post by Doomsday 2029


I do believe you are genuinely wanting to be helpful, but also, there is a tone that makes me cringe. No matter how down-and-out people get, they still have their pride, and NOBODY....NOBODY.....wants to feel "owned" or obligated in service to another, just to survive, let alone feel like nothing is theirs after all the hard work they do. At least the tent belongs to them.

I do think you are on to something though, and trust is a big thing these days. I will venture to say that if you enter a relationship like this with your fears in tact, you will likely attract the very person you are wanting to steer clear of. If you are a believer in God, put it there and see where it takes you.

My advice though? (Not that it's worth anything) If people are welcome in another's home, in exchange for said duties, then what future do they have? They will never quite be loyal to you or your family, because you aren't providing them anything that will be stable....your house is not, nor will ever be their house. Your children will never be their children, and all that housework and childcare you want in exchange.....well, I know women who would balk at the mention of what you are offering, and the women I know don't particularly enjoy cleaning up their own family's messes and staying with their OWN kids all day, let alone cleaning up another family's messes and staying with their children. Sure, they love their family, but what you're asking is for a strange woman to instantly love your family in the same way, with complete disregard for her own ambitions and dreams. I'm sure your own wife has, at times, expressed the frustration of becoming "domesticated", no? That seems to be a very common ordeal in today's marriages, and I'd be surprised if she hasn't.

It just seems to me to be an offer of....you're homeless, so you should be lucky to come to my home and do all these "womanly" duties for me and my family, in exchange for free room and board. Hmmm....if I were a homeless single Mom, which I'm not, I think I might enjoy a tent better than that offer, but that's just me. You're offering servitude for really nothing in return. And if she wants to get a job so she can spend money and work to get out on her own? Then what? How will she pay for her car and insurance if she is staying home with your kids all day?

So I understand what you want....but my honest feeling is you'd be better off HIRING someone to do the dirty work around your house, because at least then, you know you're getting a good job done and you'll get what you pay for. Oh, by the way.....maids AREN'T cheap, neither are cooks, and have you seen the prices of live-in nanny's? This is a disaster you're asking for when she discovers what you want from her...why do it for free when there are families who pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for just ONE of those jobs?

I think your offer could be insulting to a hard-working woman (drugs excluded for the sake of conversation) who got hit hard by the economy, and no woman in her right mind would agree to that situation, let alone sign a contract with you and your family. I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but your tone towards the homeless seems less than respectful of their humanity or their desire to want more out of life. Would YOU agree to the situation you offered? Would your wife? It doesn't seem like a fair exchange at all to me.

So why a woman? Why not a man? Why not a youth? Why not adopt? Why not just donate to a homeless shelter or have you and your family volunteer at the food bank or cafeteria? If you really want to help, that's where it's needed....you won't get anything in return except a good feeling. Heck, you might even make some amazing friends who you'd never consider asking to do your housework!