If a beggar is deceiving us, they don't deserve our money. As for those who are honestly poor, the money is not helping either. On the contrary, it only keeps them in the position of beggars. Now, many people might not mind it. Of course, it's a job as any other. Sitting in a cubicle all day can be equally demeaning. Writing for a newspaper can be equally deceiving. And if you have a company that is very successful, you may also hire lobbyists to help alter the law, making it harder for your competitors to stay in the game. And this latter point is what successful business beggars are doing to their competitors who have actually fallen on hard times. As for me, these reasons are enough not to give anything to any beggar, ever, under any circumstances... while not feeling bad about it.
Thanks for your post, though, on this highly controversial subject.