Walking through urban landscapes, one can’t escape the zombies. These creatures shuffle down sidewalks, sometimes in various states of mental distress. Some push grocery carts packed with the detritus of their nightmarish existence. Others talk to invisible friends. They move to various locations in search of food and shelter. They linger in every space encampments, and we slide past them uncomfortable in our shallow existence.

Homelessness is a national epidemic, a national shame, and a perfect metaphor for our throwaway society.

There are various reasons for this blight. Mental illness, addiction, poverty, and a lack of affordable housing are all contributing factors. Besides, the number of our heroic veterans who end up on the streets is equally quite disturbing.

Affluent enclaves are not excluded from the issue as; suburbia, beaches, parks, and commercial hubs fall prey to the problem. As we draw closer to the holiday season, thoughts about the less fortunate seem to resonate more strongly. Indeed, most of us know we are one paycheck away from oblivion.

Government and local agencies must do more to ensure the welfare of all citizens. Affordable housing, living wages, and mental healthcare are all viable solutions as opposed to the criminalization of the down-and-out.

In this election cycle, we hear very little from Presidential candidates on the issue perhaps if the zombies could give donations to campaigns, they would be the quite undead, no more.