Do you agree that food should be the only exception for theft?

[AnusNdaPainus]

We all gotta eat.

Updates

+1 y

I am by no way shape or form saying that theft should be legal

When I say “Exception” I mean at the worst they should be given a slap on the wrist

Updates

+1 y

Wow! Can’t say I’m surprised but a lot of you people are scum

[Msputiton]

It depends.

Right. How many people would steal just to steal.

Also depends who they steal from. A big business that wouldn't miss it, i get that.

But like a local corner store, barely keeping food in their own family' mouth could be ruined.

We need more the government to stop ignoring the issue, and begin creating programs that could help these situations.

Taking care of the people who need it, create programs that help set them on a path that could get them back on their feet.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Lots of them are too young or too old to work or too sick to work

[Msputiton]

Which is why the government needs to create programs to help them, not say steal from others.
Our government doesn't do enough

[AnusNdaPainus]

Or a little compassion for the less fortunate? It’s not really the government’s responsibility

We just need to lend a hand to the next man poverty stricken people in other countries don’t live how they do in the US people in the community look out for them

The average woman has 20 pairs of shoes it’s not gonna hurt to give a few to those who needs them

[Msputiton]

It completely is the government's responsibility. They are elected officials to help all citizens, not just the ones who they feel like helping.
They need to step up.
I do more for the homeless and starving than they do.
Eventhough they are paid and elected to help all citizens and I'm not

[WaterIsland]

No. Here is why. The goal is for people who are struggling to get stable again. We need more resources to help those in need.


Permitting stealing of food, solves the symptom, not the problem. It doesn’t provide long term support or resources to those in need.


Remember also. Society used to require everyone to grow or gather their own food. Only in recent modern society do we have a food surplus. Due to major technological advances. Food is still considered a luxury in many parts of the world. In those areas would it be fair to steal food? No.


In developed nations we are lucky to have access to food. For those that aren’t. We need to provide long term stable resources to support those people. Theft isn’t the solution.

[AnusNdaPainus]

So the ends don’t justify the means?

[AnusNdaPainus]

Some people don’t have any parents or are too sick to work I’m not talking about your average regular scumbag tryna get over and cheat the system I’m talking about people who really need it

I’ve never seen a person steal food who didn’t desperately need it

[WaterIsland]

I’m not saying that the current system is fair or right. My point is those people who would be in a position to steal food, likely need way more support and help than that.

Why not instead of permitting theft, we have public resources to get those people back on their feet? And get them actual real support? Food banks, counseling services, housing services, connections with non profit organizations.

Permitting theft, would be turning a blind eye to the actual problem. Let’s fix the actual problem, not the symptom.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Well this is why I said exception

In no way will theft ever be permitted but in cases such as these I don’t believe people should be punished for that

I mean without food we die so denying people food is denying them the right to life

[ChefPapiChulo]

“Society used to require everyone to grow or gather their own food. Only in recent modern society do we have a food surplus.”

When we’re people required to grow their own food lol?

[AnusNdaPainus]

@ChefPapiChulo I think he is talking about the dawn of human history and even then if I had a farm and a wife and kid anything left over would’ve been sold anyways

[ChefPapiChulo]

Man what he’s talking about just doesn’t make any sense lol.

[NamerOfStars]

No- because if farmers can't make money because it's okay to steal from them, then who's going to grow our food?

Besides, we've all gotta have shelter from the weather, too; would you make stealing houses okay?

[AnusNdaPainus]

Are you familiar with the parable of Lazarus and the rich man?

[NamerOfStars]

Yes.

[TrueConfection]

Hmm... We have food banks.

It's tough to watch Range Rovers, BMWs, and other luxury cars pull up and load up on groceries. My son (who helps out with sorting food) said, "Mom! They eat better than we do!"

Yeah, I don't think we should permit stealing of any sort.

[AnusNdaPainus]

You’re like the 4th person to focus on the theft instead of the person who desperately needs it

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you grew up very privileged

[TrueConfection]

Wow, you must be a genius or something. So smart!

[AnusNdaPainus]

Honestly you all sound like the type of people that would put a person in jail for stealing food

So inhumane

[SaoirseS]

No. Theft is theft, no matter the circumstances. If it’s not yours, and if you don’t pay for it, leave it alone. There needs to be consequences for stealing, so leave it to a judge to decide. If a person is truly stealing food because he or she needs food, the judge can take that into account when sentencing. But stop rationalizing that stealing is ok, because it is not. Neither is vandalism. Considering the social and volunteer programs available in the US to feed people, theft of food is insupportable.

[Razp_Sorbet]

I don't think it should be written into law. But I wouldn't nark on someone stealing essentials.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Exactly.

[SueShe]

I disagree with this statement. Criminal statistics have shown that food theft, among others, is also done by high revenue people. If this law would apply, then a millionaire that steals a $1,000 can of caviar would go free...

[AnusNdaPainus]

@SueShe what? Guys theft is already illegal do you all not know that?

[Razp_Sorbet]

@SueShe caviar isn't an essential.

[Razp_Sorbet]

@SueShe I also never said that it should be legal. Just that I wouldn't tell on someone if I saw them slip a can of soup into their bag or a pack of tampons

[SueShe]

There is no mention of "essentials" in the question. To me, the question is whether food in general should be an exception for theft, not bread, caviar or mushrooms.

[Razp_Sorbet]

@SueShe but you commented on my opinion which mentions essentials.

[SueShe]

And how are you going to make the difference between essentials? For a rich person, caviar may be what he/she considers essentials because he/she feeds on that while for a homeless or unemployed, essentials may be a loaf of bread.

Are you going to have a guard in front of each store that checks the shopping bag of each and everyone that exits the grocery store and checks your shopping list?

This is a delicate topic because you touch the economy directly. Are you, as a shop owner, going to tell the farmer that the wheat he produces must be donated in order to feed the poor or the ones temporarily short of cash?

[Razp_Sorbet]

@SueShe we all know what essentials are. You're taking this way out of context.

[ChefPapiChulo]

that might be ChatGPT

[SueShe]

I am not taking anything out of context.

How do you justify to give free essentials to a person that has a fortune of NZD10 million. It is not possible to make a list of who is entitled of free essentials and who is not.

My point is that it is not possible to put this idea in practice and the costs for implementing it is disproportionate because you will need to implement some form of control. Why should a person that has the means to buy food be exempted? I could agree that those living below minimum wage can profit from it. Unless you reintroduce food stamps, there is no way of controlling abuse.

[Razp_Sorbet]

@SueShe I don't know if you're having trouble understanding or just refusing to read what I actually wrote. You are taking this out of context, because as I have already explained I'm not talking about making a law, there is no implementing anything. I'm just talking about myself and what I would/wouldn't do if I saw a person steal something as miniscule as a can of soup or a box of sanitary products.

[SueShe]

I see it is not worth continuing this conversation. I just hope you are not the shop owner that will close an eye on regular theft of "essentials". You would be the first one to call the police after half of your profit has vanished in theft. Good luck.

[ChefPapiChulo]

its chatgpt

[Potteplante]

No, theft is theft, however I don't believe they should be harshly judged for it - punishment for crimes vary after the severity of the crime commited.

& I don't see how making theft legal in some cases isn't going to fix anything. Will just be another band aid - while the issues get worse.

[Adam1978]

No you shouldn't need to steal, when we have a society with this kind of wealth. If you need to steal take from those who won't miss it, because they stole it from someone else. Ie took more than they deserved.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Not eating means death
There should be no law that prevents the destitute from a deserved meal

[Adam1978]

They should have somewhere to go to get the food, not need to steal it. Social welfare or church.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Food can’t be stolen because we all have a right to eat it is not okay to steal but for the good of mankind we need to have more compassion for others

[Adam1978]

Of course you can steal food. You have no right to the food I got. I could agree with you if it's an apple on a tree or something growing in nature without needing help, such as berries, nuts and you are living from nature itself.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Well I said it’s the exception because you have no right to steal but yo do have a right to eat

[Adam1978]

Right to eat what you gathered or hunted yourself. Not the other peoples food, that you have to earn a right too.

[Sour-rose]

I don't think so. Theft is theft. And with theft comes hunger... so much hunger someone eats a bullet. :D With their chest. So tasty they're drooling blood.

Don't think anyone wants to be that hungry sooo i don't think so

[jennifer_bloom]

Food is affordable if you have thoroughly researched your options. I could eat for less than $5.00 a day.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Do the ends justify the means for those who are too sick or just unable to work?

[jennifer_bloom]

If somebody is that poor they could panhandle cause $5.00 a day is enough to survive.

[genericname85]

no, theft should stay illegal. yeah we can all have sympathy for someone stealing out of hunger. but that shouldn't make that act legal. specially cause there's a bunch of options for free food.

[Kaneki05]

If you see homeless person stealing food. And you tell on them, then I just hope Karma does exist.

[Stoner710]

Maybe but where is that Logic end. Everyone needs money to survive shit robbing a bank illegal.

[Agape93]

Or emergency medication, like insulin, epinephrine or inhalers

[AnusNdaPainus]

No that stuff is small scale but everything needs to eat even plants

[Agape93]

You also need to not die within minutes to enjoy your food

[AnusNdaPainus]

You’re definitely going to die if you don’t eat so that takes priority

[Agape93]

After weeks, since no meds can kill in minutes that takes priority lol

[AnusNdaPainus]

Everyone isn’t on meds so again food takes priority

[Ben487]

well you can always go to the food bank and get free food. Nobody in America needs to starve... but if you are in fact starving yes you may steal food.

[TallAnon]

No. Otherwise, better stop eating cuz it's all mine.

[Fuentes]

Lol Biden wants to send billions to Ukraine instead of helping the homeless and poor eat.

[AnusNdaPainus]

3 million kids a year die from starvation

And in America we are told not to fat shame

Foh.🙄

[Fuentes]

Walmart has been crying to many people are stealing lol billionaires crying over a few dollar losses hahaha

[AnusNdaPainus]

I get that they work hard to get where they are really I understand

But you need to give back because we have no real enemies in life except our hearts and minds

Billionaires wasting money in 20 bedroom mansion
When there are people that sleep outside

People so fat they gorge themselves of 30k calories a day then cry about being overweight

[Luopio27]

Poverty on that level is the faults of governments. They have the armies, cops and money to balance the economy.

[TacosRAwesome]

Yes I agree. If someone steals food they should get help not a prison sentence.

[Freyke]

Steal one, and the victim will starve.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Right , which is actually why I’d never steal food from anyone

[AnusNdaPainus]

Again…haha

[AngryCarl2]

I can't condone stealing food unless you're literally starving. Can't you go to a food bank?

[NostalgiaSenpi]

Nope. No exceptions for theft.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Even in cases of extreme starvation or desperation

[Jlove23]

If I see someone stealing food, I ignore it! I never know what their financial situation is or I’ll offer to pay for it.

[007kingifrit]

no exceptions at all