[ExtremeUnction]

Those employers should be arrested for not reporting taxes to the government.

Before we blame the "Underground Economy" on illegals and their employers, let's look at the big picture. I know of many people who exchange services for services. I have neighbor who has a very successful tattoo business. He routinely compensates individuals who provide services at his house with free tattoos at his shop. And I can give many more examples of barter that goes on everyday. This person is not doing this to avoid taxes, it's just a logical and easy way to trade services. I think that this has been going on since our country was founded.

[StJacques]

You are correct that a lot of people exchange services. I do it myself on occasion. I've developed several small web sites for friends in exchange for everything from getting a chance to use hidden files on their servers for demos for potential clients to getting help on cutting down a tree Hurricane Rita knocked down in my backyard, instead of paying a service $2,000 to do it. I take my labor and turn into capital.

No one can claim that the underground economy will ever be eliminated under any tax system. Nor is it desirable that it should be. But 300+ billion in uncollected taxes (according to CBO) is a situation that must change. And that figure goes way beyond the impact of illegal immigrants.

[pigdog]

And in the overall picture with reference to taxes, that means what???