Raleigh has a government enforced beggars cartel. That’s right entry into the beggars market, and therefore competition among beggars, is controlled by a licensing law, which is the way cartels are traditionally enforced. And this cartel is indeed enforced. People are arrested for begging without a license. Personally, I am for free market begging. If people want to earn a living by asking other people for voluntary contributions I say go for it. The only time the government should be involved is if there is harassment or force involved. But of course if Raleigh’s beggars cartel is eliminated their will be more competition and cartel profits will be reduced. As WRAL.com points out, one local beggar boasts that “he can make $20 an hour panhandling, but he must have a permit from the Raleigh Police Department.” The point is that it’s probably because he has to have a permit that he can make $20 and hour–presumably tax free.
by Locker Room contributor