Greconomics

Yesterday it rained 8 inches in New York City. I had a Greconomics experience in the midst of it. Against my better nature, I drove over the Tri-borough bridge to pick up my girlfriend. 125th Street was a pond at certain points. I hate driving down 125th street under normal circumstances because of the incredibly slow traffic, the double parking and mostly because of the jay walking. I find it very dangerous, and I'm constantly in fear of hitting someone I can't see, someone darting into the traffic, crossing against traffic, crossing against the lights, crossing in the middle, yes, in the middle of the street.

With the rain, i figured pedestrian traffic would be at a minimum. I was right. Except around 2nd Avenue there was a begger standing in the midst of traffic with his cup, going from car to car. He literally was too foolish to get out of the rain. It was raining so hard, he was difficult to see, and no one was opening their windows to give him change, even if they wanted to, because they didn't want to get soaked.

Yet his man (who was white by the way) had a supercilious smile on his face. Forget for the moment the strong possibility that this man was mentally ill,likely schizoid or schizophrenic. But the grin on his face seemed to say, 'See I'm truly homeless. I'm no fair weather homeless man. I'm truly in need.' How else to explain that smile? He certainly didn't seem to be doing well economically when i drove by.