Can you spare a dime?

An emerging trend among Web surfers is "cyberbegging." For me, this new term conjures the image of a man who is wearing a burlap sack and old boots panhandling outside the library computer lab. A real "cyberbegger" is one who makes a Web site describing their financial hardships while utilizing programs like PayPal to allow users to donate money. I don't know about you, but I find these Web sites the true sign of the degradation of mankind.\nThe problem with these 21st century street urchins is that they're making a mockery of charitable organizations that could really use the money. Some of the cyberbeggers' "needs" are just flat out ridiculous. One man started a Web site asking for money so he can buy a Hummer. Oh boy, pity the poor man who can't afford a Hummer. Whatever happened to the concept of working for money? I'd like to be able to afford the $7 TV dinner from the Willkie Convenience Store, but you don't see me setting up a charity for it.\nWhat's weird is there are actually people who donate money to these slackers. Rather than donate money to a worthwhile cause, like maybe curing cancer, people would rather piddle their money away on those who have overdrawn at the bank of common sense. How do the donators know they aren't being swindled? They don't. A Web site like the ones I have visited could be easily made by anyone.\nMost of the cyberbeggers are trying to clear debts. There are millions of people with debts of all kinds, but these people seem to put themselves ahead of everyone. They obviously possess great public relations skills, so why not get a job? If they can con people into donating money for their expenditures, why shouldn't they be able to work as a telemarketing agent selling magazine subscriptions? It might be an annoying job, but it's at least an honest one.\nTake the case of "Karyn," a twenty-something girl with a weakness for her credit card. I'd give out her Web address, but she doesn't need the promotion. Karyn managed to rake in over $20,000 in credit card debt. She claims her frivolous spending on "morning lattes" and "Prada pumps" was "helping out the economy." What an amazing idea Karyn! Everyone, follow her lead! Let's all max out our credit cards and help our country's failing economy! No? The only people who benefited off this lady's financial disaster were collectors and repossessing agencies who had to go pick up all the crap she bought when her bills went past due.\nAs you may have suspected, some cyberbeggers are college students or college graduates paying off student loans. Some have managed to make over $1,000 a week in pure donations. Now before you set off to make your own Web site, realize that there are other options out there … like credit counseling or debt consolidation. $1,000 is a lot of money, but couldn't this money have been put to better use? There are certainly more needy people in the world, like the homeless.\nBased on the unfortunate success of cyberbeggers, I predict we may begin to see more begging, in all forms. Are you tired of annoying pop-up ads while surfing the net? How about pop-up ads with people begging for money? "Can you spare a dime, friend? -- Brought to you by the Amazing X10 Camera"