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Ducking Government Regulation the Old Fashioned Way: A Look at the Black Market
equities.com ^ | 10-30-2013 | Joel Anderson

Posted on 10/31/2013 1:09:48 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat

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The only part of the economy that seems to be thriving right now, with the exception of oil and gas. While we of course don't know the size of the underground economy, it's interesting to look at the amount of currency in circulation:


1 posted on 10/31/2013 1:09:48 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat
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To: freespirited; oblomov; Jet Jaguar; wastedyears; nascarnation; Henry Belden; petercooper; ...
Surviving Socialism Pinglist
Stories and tips with a financial emphasis to help conservatives SURVIVE and prosper during difficult times.

To be added or taken off this list, please send a FR mail to RKBA Democrat. FAIR WARNING, I'm one of the worst pinglist administrators on FR. I ping infrequently then I ping a lot. I forget to add people to the list. I disappear for months at a time when I get fed up with politics. But I do try to make sure that the articles pinged are worthy of your time. Search the keyword "survivingsocialism" to see previous articles and pings.

2 posted on 10/31/2013 1:11:43 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat ( There is no worst president but owebama, and valerie jarrett is his prophet.)
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To: RKBA Democrat

Today it cannot be done.

Too many people talk. Piss one off and it’s over.

People can’t go five minutes without their phones and commenting about SOMETHING.

Will never work.


3 posted on 10/31/2013 1:12:48 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: RKBA Democrat

Interesting graph.

I remember in the late 60s when I worked in an auto plant in Ohio, there were always guys in the parking lot selling cartons of low tax Kentucky cigarettes. And this was when cigs were a quarter a pack.


4 posted on 10/31/2013 1:13:35 PM PDT by nascarnation (Frequently wrong but rarely in doubt....)
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To: Secret Agent Man

“Today it cannot be done. Too many people talk. Piss one off and it’s over.”

I’m NOT advocating this. Simply noting it. Frankly, it disgusts me that people feel that they have have to conduct their life on the fringes on the economy. I’m blessed to not have to.

Failure, thy name is owebama.


5 posted on 10/31/2013 1:20:42 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat ( There is no worst president but owebama, and valerie jarrett is his prophet.)
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To: RKBA Democrat

I know you weren’t advocating it, I’m just saying the way people are today, I seriously don’t think it could be done.


6 posted on 10/31/2013 1:23:55 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: RKBA Democrat

If the government is repressive enough sometimes the black market is the only thing stopping mass starvation.


7 posted on 10/31/2013 1:25:19 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: Secret Agent Man

I dunno.

Ever been to a flea market? How many of those people are paying business taxes?


8 posted on 10/31/2013 1:26:00 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: Secret Agent Man
It’s enough to make one seriously consider taking it all underground. What would it be like? To operate a company without any concerns other than profit and your employees?

My deceased father-in-law successfully did this from the 1970’s until his death in 2000. and I'm not sure to this day how he managed. He ran a rather large scrap metal business and in 25+ years never filed or paid a penny in tax (personal or business) or obtained one license or permit. In fact he often bragged that he wouldn't know how to file a tax return because he had never filed one in his entire life. I think he got away with it because he would deal ONLY in cash, when he passed he had over $60,000 in his dresser drawer (literally). All his employees were family (his sons and brothers who he paid only in cash) and he kept what large assets the company had (mostly large trucks and other equipment) registered in the names of his sons so nobody had very much in their name.

9 posted on 10/31/2013 1:27:17 PM PDT by apillar
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To: nascarnation

Still a good deal here in san diego area, go to the duty free stores along the border, get smokes, some times some never heard of brand, 2 cartons/12.00 and u and a friend bring them into mexcio and come walk back thu customs and viola at least 50.00 bucks.. I know ppl who do this every day...


10 posted on 10/31/2013 1:28:15 PM PDT by JoanneSD
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To: RKBA Democrat

“What if Bill Gates could have just gotten a gun and FORCED everyone to use windows?”

Well, that’s exactly what’s happening with ObammyCare.

This happens all the time. How many restaurants don’t ring up a sale here and there? Does Garcia’s landscaping report every dollar of income? Every waiter report every tip? Electrician working after hours report every dollar of income?

That’s the underground economy.


11 posted on 10/31/2013 1:29:54 PM PDT by Darteaus94025 (Phony President)
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To: RKBA Democrat

In the US it is highly likely that illegal immigrants are major players in the underground economy.


12 posted on 10/31/2013 1:30:16 PM PDT by monocle
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To: Secret Agent Man
Today it cannot be done.

I disagree. If we're to survive, it's going to have to be done.

Barter for example, is becoming more commonplace. There are plenty of cops, but unless you're big-time, there's simply not jail space enough for low-level activity. Keeping a low profile and person to person exchanges will be untraceable.

Jelousy is just as prevalent in above ground business, but with the black market, as well as in legitimate business, mutual dependence provides a counter-balance.

There's also the fear of retribution, which can take many forms.

This is the new America; we're all unapprehended outlaws.

13 posted on 10/31/2013 1:33:47 PM PDT by tsomer
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To: nascarnation

Socialism greatly magnifies black market activity. Avoidance of government intrusion into personal financial activity is a primary dynamic of all trade. Taxation and regulation are never motivational except as negative influences.
Entrepeneurship always begins as black market, unregulated and untaxed. Only when it becomes established in the public sector does it become necessary to accede to government intrusion.
Certainly the uncontrolled market for goods and services globally is at least as large as government controlled markets, perhaps larger. Every yard sale, every Craig’s listing, every kitchen poker game, every barter, most house cleaning, all are black market, outside the purvey of government. Fully half of all purchases, trades, arrangements and deals are unreported. The more government attempts to govern these activities the deeper it is driven underground. Private, after all, means private.


14 posted on 10/31/2013 1:34:12 PM PDT by Louis Foxwell (This is a wake up call. Join the Sultan Knish ping list.)
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To: monocle

“In the US it is highly likely that illegal immigrants are major players in the underground economy.”

And now you know why amnesty will pass. It isn’t about being humane or anything else to the illegals. It’s about trying to bring these folks into the legitimate economy.


15 posted on 10/31/2013 1:38:11 PM PDT by RKBA Democrat ( There is no worst president but owebama, and valerie jarrett is his prophet.)
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To: RKBA Democrat

There’s a whole separate underground economy just with individuals bartering goods and services - basically “cash under the table”.

It doesn’t require organization nor a mob and the chances of getting caught are basically nil.

If you look for it, you can find it all over the place. Some of it is blatantly illegal, most is in the grey area between a business and helping your friends and neighbors.


16 posted on 10/31/2013 1:39:16 PM PDT by chrisser (Senseless legislation does nothing to solve senseless violence.)
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To: RKBA Democrat

Does anyone know of any websites, blogs or discussion groups that provide information on strategies and legal tactics for operating in this economy?

Let’s face the fact: the country is dead. The game has changed and we’d better look to adapting and surviving. Ruminating on how things should be is a waste of time and energy.


17 posted on 10/31/2013 1:41:21 PM PDT by tsomer
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To: tsomer

Have you been to E-Bay?


18 posted on 10/31/2013 1:42:32 PM PDT by Louis Foxwell (This is a wake up call. Join the Sultan Knish ping list.)
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To: RKBA Democrat

Do you really believe amnesty will bring these people in from the cold. Evading taxes and many other laws is so ingrained in their character they are unlikely to surface to the legal world.


19 posted on 10/31/2013 1:47:18 PM PDT by monocle
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To: GeronL
If you are selling used low price items they tend not to bother you any more then they go after garage sales.

On the other hand if you are selling new or high value items they will come down on you like a ton of bricks.

The line between "Hobby" (not taxed, mildly regulated) and "Business" (taxed and regulated up the wazoo) generally has to do with how often you sell and at what price.

20 posted on 10/31/2013 1:47:21 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (Proud Infidel, Gun Nut, Religious Fanatic and Freedom Fiend)
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