Public opinion is not always synonymous with right/moral/good/whatever.
So from a subjective point of view, I would agree that it is a stupid point of view. And I actually think that a poll of gamers, not just TF2 players, would give you the same answer.
However from a business point of view, certainly not a stupid view, since (as you said) it does actually work.
Depends what you're trying to judge, the concept for gamers or the concept as a business plan.