It turns out homelessness is like the weather. Everyone complains, but no one does much about it.

So here's your chance, Las Vegas -- to complain, but also to make suggestions to address this complex issue. In this and future columns, I'll give you a chance to vent and take a shot at improving the plight of the down and out in Southern Nevada.

Monday's citing of television and radio station personnel for feeding the homeless in violation of the city's new and constitutionally questionable ordinance has focused the community's fickle attention on a key issue. Trouble is, I'm not sure which issue you're most excited about: helping the homeless, or dousing the inflammatory rhetoric of Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Not long after 3 a.m., ACLU of Nevada Executive Director Gary Peck was fired up and ready to hold forth: "I quite agree with your basic contention that this has turned into a circus, but I want to be clear that's not the ACLU's fault. Basically, we say at every opportunity that the problem here is a law was passed that's plainly unconstitutional that's being used to bully people instead of actually seeking real, effective solutions to the problem.

"The real, fundamental problem is a lack of political commitment and will to dedicate the kinds of resources that are necessary to really address the problem. ... Both the community and politicians are unwilling to dedicate the kinds of resources that are required to make a real dent in the problem."

Another caller said the city's marshals could be put to better use.

"They should be leaving the homeless alone and using those marshals to go after the illegals (immigrants, that is) that are in this town flooding our hospitals and causing heartache wherever they go."

Another caller added, "What is your plan? It's not easy, is it? And the laws apply to all of us. There's no reason the defiant radio and TV reporters should be exempt."

My plan is to, first, never be homeless. And, second, never become a defiant radio or TV reporter.

A reader observed, "It reminds me of an old adage that ... goes something like, 'Not even God can approach a hungry man without food in his hand.'"

I'm sure that's true. But how do we improve the way we deal with the issue of homelessness?

A reader describing herself as a "senior from Henderson, formerly of Las Vegas," said, "Oscar Goodman, or Mayor Martini as we call him, has not done anything constructive. In his entire two terms in office, the only thing constructive he has done was spend $2 million to fix up the City Council's chambers so they could look good on TV. ...

"If Goodman really means to help the unfortunate, then he ought to put two of those portable bathrooms that the construction guys use and put one at each end (of the park).

"The other thing is, instead of this once-a-year or twice-a-year thing at Cashman Field (designed to help the homeless), since the city owns the building, what would be the big deal on having it there once a month? And the people who would really like to work, whether it's part-time or full-time, give them a chance to be interviewed."

Barbara Lopez, who has experienced the system and has seen the holes in the social services safety net, adds, "I think the mayor has decided it's not fun to be mayor any more. This problem can't be fixed with showgirls and Elvis impersonators. I'd like to see him take a crack at the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities and the others and hold them accountable for what they receive and the work they do. They are professional businesses. I don't think they are being held accountable for what they do."

She says she believes some social service agencies actually alienate the homeless by miring them in needless red tape.

"You are treated as the lowest of the low. They have this power. If you don't like it, where else are you going to go?"

Does this community really lack the collective will to face this issue head-on?

Are Goodman and the council solving problems, or creating them?

Are local social services agencies part of the problem?

Hey, don't look at me.

I don't have the answers. I just ask the questions.

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.