I think it's a scandal and a disgrace - SOMEBODY call 60 minutes!

But no, seriously, why do people have such a big problem with this? The person begging and earning 50k is hardly getting money for nothing - I've done both telemarketing and shopping mall face to face direct sales and that's not easy or enjoyable. I think directly asking for money would be worse.

If someone spends 20 to 40 hours a week and manages to make a decent living, I don't see how that is bad, and I'm sure I can think of jobs and maybe entire industries that have a worse net effect economically or socially but are considered OK.

There are definitely more dishonest yet not as maligned ways to make a living than donning some old clothing and pretending to be poor.