underground economy (Corporate Profits, illegal, drugs, lawyers) - City-Data Forum

krsheely · 03-29-2010, 10:26 AM

In speaking with alot of my peers or people I work with or just about everyone I know. I have discovered that most people I know have a job but also most have some sort of side "hustle" or something done to increase their money. Now not all of this is going to be reported as income. So how is this or is this extra figured into our gdp? And do others countries have the same sort of underground economics. It seems like everyone has something extra they do to keep themselves afloat.

Omaha Rocks · 03-29-2010, 10:50 AM

As taxes continue to increase - and will probably skyrocket to pay for all of President Obama's new programs - there will be more and more business that flies below the radar. More bartering. More cash only deals. More payment in kind work. More labor trades.

Those who are always calling for more programs and more taxes simply don't get it.

How does it figure into our GDP? There's simply no way to know.

jtur88 · 03-29-2010, 12:23 PM

The underground economy is disaspproved of in the USA because it cuts into the profits of the big corporations and benefits the consumers. Both are violations of the fundamental principles upon which this republic was re-founded as an oligarchy,

hilgi · 03-29-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtur88

The underground economy is disaspproved of in the USA because it cuts into the profits of the big corporations and benefits the consumers. Both are violations of the fundamental principles upon which this republic was re-founded as an oligarchy,

Last time I checked no one was ever convicted of reducing corporate profits but they sure do get convicted of tax evasion.

I must say, you are funny.

JetJockey · 03-29-2010, 04:19 PM

Pretty much everyone I've met has done it their entire lives. I used to do livestock related chores (clipping hooves, trimming show animals, exercising horses etc.) I also used to barter goat milk in exchange for veggies and whatnot. I see nothing wrong with that.

nichirenx · 03-29-2010, 05:28 PM

Having known people from other nations, yes they also have underground economies.
Some participate , others do not.
Personally i am working towards getting all my income from and underground source.
And becoming sovereign as well.

Because none of the Federal/state/local governments use the money they take from me in a way that actually is efficient enough to reduce crime and poverty while increasing opportunity for education and self sufficiency.

i do know that some people do not care to try to succeed.
But even if all the law schools in the USA were filled to capacity and graduated students who passed the bar, there would not be enough jobs.

*backing off my soapbox*

GregW · 03-30-2010, 05:16 AM

You will not know what government does for you until you try living without one. The toughest business in the world is vending dope on the street. Most vendors do not last long even if they do not use. Check out a description in "Freekanomics" (I forgot the author's name).

In the US the entire "Flea Market" system is based on "off the books" commerce.

my54ford · 03-30-2010, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JetJockey

Pretty much everyone I've met has done it their entire lives. I used to do livestock related chores (clipping hooves, trimming show animals, exercising horses etc.) I also used to barter goat milk in exchange for veggies and whatnot. I see nothing wrong with that.

I think that's just survival mode for people in the rural areas. We always trade skills or whatever. i.e. If you store your turdhurse in my machine shed I get to use it. Almost a communal thing IMHO thats how I get meat in the freezer tradeing.........If uncle suger puts the bite on it somehow it's gonna hurt bad.

hilgi · 03-30-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW

You will not know what government does for you until you try living without one. The toughest business in the world is vending dope on the street. Most vendors do not last long even if they do not use. Check out a description in "Freekanomics" (I forgot the author's name).

In the US the entire "Flea Market" system is based on "off the books" commerce.

Levitt & Dubner http://freakonomicsbook.com/ great book. The government is very much involved in the drug trade, they created it by making drugs illegal. By their involvement in a voluntary interaction they created gangs and cartels.

Many Flea Markets are now taxed by state and local governments.

krsheely · 03-30-2010, 09:00 AM

Levitt & Dubner http://freakonomicsbook.com/ great book. The government is very much involved in the drug trade, they created it by making drugs illegal. By their involvement in a voluntary interaction they created gangs and cartels.

absolutley: think about it, lawyers, police, jails, lawyers, lawyers lawyers lol......they are all supported by in large by non violent drug offenders. Also I've not yet read freakonomics but the part in the book about drug dealing was supplied by the author of gang leader for a day. great book anyone who wants to delve deeper into the underground economy of the robert taylor homes should read it...great book that goes furthur into the underground economy than just drug dealing.