Panhandler Arrested Making $60,000: Legalize Begging?

no! i hate beggars! except for bukkit dawg! WOOB!

It is impossible to legalize begging because there would be no way to regulate it. Are beggars going to set aside 60% of their revenue for income taxes, mandatory health insurance, and double FICA? Really?

"Legalizing panhandling would allow people like Mr. Speegle to earn money instead of collect welfare..." I'm pretty sure he can beg and collect welfare at the same time, which is probably what he does now.

If begging is legalized, we are only one step away from beggars setting up shop on the sidewalk in front of businesses, waiting for a bribe from the business owner to go away. At least when that happens today, the cops can limit the areas where beggars operate.

Business owners beware: Customers generally avoid areas with panhandlers.

Governmental intrusion!
Anyway, if it is legal, it is taxable income.

Sure, why don't we just get a license for doing everything? Have a license for going out of your house. Then we'll need a license for walking down the streets, or maybe going to a restaurant for a cup of coffee. Let's license everyone for doing anything and everything. HOW ABOUT THIS SUGGESTION? GET THE GOVERMENT OUT OF OUR LIVES. Let us be the free people that we were once. There was a time when we could set up stores. Didn't need a license for that. There was a time when an immigrant could be a taxi driver, didn't need a license for that either. Who are we protecting with all these "SPECIAL" licenses? The big corporations that are in competition with these "PRIVATE ENTERPRISES". This a collution between BIG GOVERNMENT and BIG BUSINESS. I HAVE A SUGGESTION FOR ALL GOVERNMENTS, WHETHER CITY, COUNTY, STATE OR FEDERAL, LEAVE US THE "F" ALONE.

You have a have a permit in Houston. And I've talked to many and they make $200-$300 a day.

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I am thinking now of the Eddy Murphy movie, Trading Places. Smart as a whip and resourceful but begging on the street. No I don't think we should legalize begging. I always carry a few singles with me because I cannot pass without giving something. I always think my conscience is clear and if they are scam artists then shame on them. However, making it completely legal would mean us being swamped with begging and none of us knowing who is really in trouble and who is actually better of than we are.

But only in very limited places, and the places where it is legal should be pretty much nonexistent where working people go. So it should be limited to less than 1% of the city. Those people are annoying and they are mostly just scammers. They should only be able to hold a small sign and not be allowed to bother or harass people.And these rules need to be strictly enforced. And these people need to be forced to pay taxes. I know I have to pay them when I make money, so maybe some sort of license is not such a bad idea. I knew a lady who dated and then married one of those guys that stand on the freeway ramp with a sign, and he was making like 3 and 4 hundred bucks a day back in the late 80's. The bleeding hearts don't want to believe this but it's true. This guy in the article is not the anomaly that they want to believe he is. If somebody does not have any money then they are eligible for government assistance. I wouldn't be surprised if only 1 or 2% of them are really who they are representing themselves as. The lady who married the panhandler gave him a home to live in and he would get tired of it and go back to the streets because he said he liked the lifestyle. And he told me he was pretty much the typical panhandler. He was this little weasel looking guy and his name was Rambo of all things.

Helloooo clariceeeee

Why is this even a discussion? Poor people have to suffer for their lives and well-being and yet you have these greedy, lazy people mooching off people's sympathy to get money. I can't believe this happens, poor people don't have a home and to see people that does using poor people's way of surviving to their advantage, sicken me. It's sick because this technique is also used in human trafficking, forcing victims to beg on the streets so that the business earns more money. I guess, not a lot of people gives a crap about the poor, right? As long as you are not in that situation, it's not an issue some people should not care about. It's wrong and disgusting....they have to survive, most of us don't so why can't he get up off his lazy butt, get an education, and get a job like the hard working people of society? I really do despise lazy people and freeloaders especially when something like this happens.

Are you kidding me? The city requires a permit and insurance for a person to ask another person for $? If you want to stop panhandling, fine those who give them $. That way the person who needs help gets it and the city can make $ off those that have it to give away. Next thing you know the city will fine a little girl for selling lemonade. Oh wait they already do that too.

Its already legal! Its called political contributions in the way of soft moneys that allow a few contributors to fund someone's special interest election !

Look beggars are annoying, and even worse than scum if they're not really homeless.

But to outright BAN begging... how is that fair to those who really NEED the help? Outrageous.

Talk about letting a few bad apples spoil the whole barrel.

While most if not all of us dont care for beggars I find it hard to believe its not covered by the Freedom of Speech.

He sounds more like a con man than a peddler.

IF *MR. OBAMA GETS "RE-ELECTED" (SHUDDER),... WE'LL HAVE TO! *(KLINK! HIS HOPE AND CHANGE IN ACTION,..."WOULD YOU LIKE A RECEIPT FOR THAT?)

I think I found my DREAM JOB!!!

LOL!!!

well it is pathetic but it shouldnt be a crime and some people really did work hard and lost everything and its sad some are just nuts

With obamanomics in full swing we should. Then the high and mighty politicians can TAX their take as well!!!!!!

The government, the banks, Wall Street, and GM do it all the time. You don't see them going to jail.

If you want to beg than beg. You are not hurting anybody and as long as people are voluntarily giving you money I don't see what is wrong.

If that's your dream, go for it. Free enterprise baby.

Besides, What Would Jesus Do?

He would be disgusted at all the hypocrisy done in his name.

Yes he would.

Who knew it was illegal, I guess we should ask for their last bank statement

Tax it.

So will we need to send W2s to everyone we hand money or clothes to

they'll have to keep records.

They need to keep record of where it came from too

they should probably use a spreadsheet.

actually i think that would fall into the 1099 catagory

Only you would know that, and maybe my buddy Phil

way to go Phil

Tax the churches too!

Begging isn't already.. ?

Too many people already make money doing everything BUT work and welfare should be cut too!If you want to make money get a job-wonder why that idea alludes more people today then it ever has?

You must not be affected yet by the world wide recession. Don't forget to say thanks in your prayers tonight. I don't want to judge you, but I have seen people lately who spoke as you did until they lost their jobs and homes. They are very grateful for the welfare that has saved their families from the street. I very sincerely hope that you never have to feel that gratitude. I would suggest that those, who want to and can give to beggars, do. Those who don't want to give don't. Legalize begging? Criminalize charity? The guy who started the debate appears to be a douche, but maybe he is following the American way of "getting his".

WTF is 'alludes'

Yes, tax the Beggars

This is something that should be neither legal nor illegal. This is none of your damed business!