the black economy

[kath3]

we've all dealt with that shady person who knows someone who can do the job on the side. the one who'll do a cash in hand job at the drop of the hat.

those who work without paying tax... are they beneficial to a country. are any of them beneficial.

An interesting subject billy, though I'm not so sure I agree with your choice of adjective to describe these types of people ... you got the bee in my bonnet buzzing. In conjunction with my part-time job I've worked most of my adult life working under the table to help subsidize my income, doing house cleaning, yard work, child/animal care, odd painting jobs, just about any type of honest hard work. A choice that is out of neccessity as our area suffers from high unemployment and I'm not one to sit on my ass waiting for gov't hand outs.
As VF pointed out most of these types of people are of a limited income to start with. Being available at the drop of the hat is probably due to the fact that they don't have a full time job and that bit of cash may very well mean the difference between buying a loaf of white bread or going the little extra for whole grain. With Christmas around the corner ... just maybe that new tricycle is possible.
There are plenty of down to earth folks who are as honest as the day is long working for that quick cash job. When hiring someone it's always good to trust your instincts of someones character as there's plenty of shady, slack-ass workers within ligitimate companies who's only concern is to get the job done and get home, while most folks that I know of working under the table will give their best in hopes of establishing future odd jobs. The names of harding working honest people get passed around quickly.
As to whether these people are benefitcial to the ecomomy, I'd say yes.
Most cash jobs are made by local folks spending locally. They also provide services to other low income folks such as the aged widow who needs her windows washed and can afford $10.00 an hour as opposed to the ligitimate company charging $20.00 an hour.
There are shady people who pay taxes who are ripping off folks and government daily.
Something else to think about is that most folks who are earning their living by being paid under the table have to pay their own medical/dental, they haven't the priviledge or luxury of company benefits or pensions to rely on. I admire folks who have the incentive to generate an income rather than relying on social assistance.
Signed ... The Unshady Lady

i agree,it leaves the question how governments are going to pay for rubbish collection,education,health etc.if nobody's gonna pay taxes.

I don't see that day coming anytime soon. People are nickled and dimed to death by taxes. It's certainly not the hard working blue collar folks getting the huge tax breaks either. If the wealthy were made to pay their fair share of taxes that would more than make up for the poorer class earning a few dollars under the table tax free, that and stopping
unneccessary/wasteful govenment spending of our tax dollars would eliminate any worry of the little bit the govn't losses out on with small cash jobs.