motley:  If someone has a bad limp, that is not the "problem".  It is the manifestation of the problem.  Cure the problem (the cause) and you cure the manifestation.  The solutions must be for the problem itself, not the physical manifestation which results from the problem.  Have an open festering wound on your arm?  Wearing a long sleeve shirt will not treat it.  It does no good to merely hide the panhandling which often results from poverty.  Let's, intead, address those many causes of poverty.  I'll happily send you the same Op Ed piece I offered Don.  Please note: I wrote" First, panhandling is not a PROBLEM. It is a manifestation of poverty and homelessness which are, themselves, manifestations of a multitude of social and economic problems."  That's a very statement from saying "panhandling is not a problem."  

And you're right Malcolm, although I'm proud of the Op Eds I write, I do like to think there are far more important things I've accomplished in my life.