If a person wants a bus ticket it seems respectful to give it to them regardless of ones fears about the outcome but hell I give homeless people cash with absolutely no concern that the money might spent on booze or drugs. I hope my five bucks buys them a sliver of freedom or comfort. I have little respect for Maslow. I find Nanny state moralizing nauseating but if we looked at busing programs and fond out they had a net benefit for the individuals maybe people who want to have a chance at fresh start would get even more opportunities to take that chance.
I understand where you're coming from. The distinction here is that it is not individuals giving other individuals bus passes. It is government organizations, working on behalf of the people they serve, giving individuals bus passes as part of official programs to combat homelessness. Perceptions of nanny state or not, because this is governments acting we should expect a degree of accountability and responsibility out of them.If a person wants a bus ticket it seems respectful to give it to them regardless of ones fears about the outcome but hell I give homeless people cash with absolutely no concern that the money might spent on booze or drugs.