Posted on 08/29/2003 6:58:25 AM PDT by Rockitz
I am an engineer so I love a good problem and illegal immigration certainly fits that bill. First, let me say that I believe that those who do venture to this country are among the brightest and hardest working individuals that the world has to offer. Certainly it takes a special person to consciously decide to make such a radical change in their life. Having said that, the idea of being in opposition to the law tends to make such an individual operate in a manner that seeks to avoid detection. Accordingly, such a person would be hesitant to register their presence in any manner, whether it be through "official" employment, a bank account, a credit card, a regular doctor, the Department of Motor Vehicles, a post office, or any other activity that might make that person's presence known to law enforcement. As such, norms of society such as paying income tax, DMV registration, health insurance, and the like are naturally avoided through cash compensation for work, operating vehicles without a license or registration, using public clinics and hospital emergency rooms for health maintenance, etc. While that means of operation may be appealing to the illegal immigrant on a number of counts, it leaves the remaining citizenry to pay the cost of government services like education, law enforcement, fire protection, infrastructure, and the like as well as higher costs for health care, auto insurance and other private services. While the illegal immigrant does pay certain state sales taxes, such payments are certainly a very small fraction of those paid by the average citizen who also pays federal and state income tax, social security, various insurances, etc.
National registration of alien workers, increased border security, and laws forbidding the hiring of illegal immigrants have significant costs in themselves and do little to attack the costs that the illegal immigrant imposes on society. A possible solution that does address these costs imposed by illegal immigration is collection of a Value Added Tax (VAT) or national or state-based sales tax. This tax would apply to all goods and services and ultimately make it difficult for an illegal immigrant to shirk responsibility for any of the myriad of costs that he routinely passes on to the remaining citizenry. Although all would pay it, those legal residents who are responsible in paying and filing their tax returns could recoup such taxes through reduced income tax rates. For those at the lower end of the economic scale, such taxes could be offset by credits. For those at the upper end of the economic scale, such taxes could be used to justify substantial decreases in income tax rates. While I personally believe that passing those collected taxes through the government is detestable on numerous counts including considerable inefficiencies and potential diversion to pet programs, the status quo is unacceptable and will ultimately bankrupt our states and nation. The idea of a VAT or national sales tax is far from original, however it is typically ignored by conservatives simply because it is a tax. I choose to look at it as a viable alternative tax policy that will close the "cash compensation" loophole and ultimately discourage illegal immigration.
I didn't like your proposal much. Primarly because of the tax thing. I can see how you think that it would help, but I don't think it will help in the long run. Illegals get away with out paying tax primarily because they demand cash as payment. There own blackmarkets would not be subject to your VAT Tax. I would like to see our BS Tax code revised anyway, but not for the reasons stated.
Many have noted that you started with an obvious pandering fallacy. Instead, I propose that you change your goal, make it: To ensure that future Legal immigrents 'are among the brightest and hardest working individuals that the world has to offer.'
It is logically motivated that to achieve this goal, we have to make America an attractive place for these people.
I also have started to think about this problem in earnest as well, and I put forth my proposal. Which combines too problems designed to make America a better more free place
1. Start with legalizing drugs. Put warning labels on them and Tax them.
2. Funded by the drug tax move the out of work vast resorces of the DEA and local drug task forces, gang task forces and seatbelt violater hunters into the fight against illegal aliens. A lift and shift of focus from citizens to illegal citizens.
3. Catch them and Deport them.
4. Do away with Minimum wage, let the market decide the payrate.
5. Fill the vacant jobs left by the illegals with Americans.
Some say that the Americans won't want the jobs, or will want to be paid more, But I am not so sure. If they want to be paid more then perhaps it would be worth it, because you could get much better work ethic for the quality of effort.
In addition we all know that Market supply and demand will always dictate fare and certain prices for these products, be it landscaping, working at wendys or house cleaning. I am convienced that you will still pay around the same price for things. Here is the reason: The Illegal master will no longer make the disgusting profits off the pitance paid to the illegals. For example, say it costs $100 to clean your house and you hire a company that pays it's cleaner $24 for a 4 hour job (That's $6 dollars an hour). That's a profit of $76 that goes to the lawbreaker Guy who didn't really do anything except pay the illegal. He justifies this by saying that he is taking a chance by hiring the poor illegal cleaner and often will treat them any which way he wants because legally they have no recourse and he knows this. If instead you were to give a hired American the same $100 to clean your house, that American would get $25 per hour and would likely be happy doing a good job. With this plan, Illegals will see that America is no longer a push over and will eventually get tired of being hunted and deported by the heavy handed and well trained (highly paid by the drug tax) Jack Booted thugs. This will ensure that those that wish to enter our great country future will try to enter legally to gain the benefits America is known for. Once our country is free of illegals, people will see that America is not a teet to be sucked on anymore and then only the best and brightests will flock to our shores legally once again. Comments are welcome. CJ
Do you understand what the term "unemployed and underemployed US workers" means?
<^..^>
Although all would pay it, those legal residents who are responsible in paying and filing their tax returns could recoup such taxes through reduced income tax rates. For those at the lower end of the economic scale, such taxes could be offset by credits.
Which, by the way, I am in favor of.
Where do you think you are? Do you think you can get away with this kind of crap?? I am tempted to turn you in to the AM.
How DARE you end a sentence in a preposition! The proper way to say it is: Of which, by the way, I am in favor
Watch yourself. I'll be keeping tabs....
;>)
I was young and believed this was possible once. Now I'm jaded and know that NO BALLS is pretty much in the job description for a politician.
My proposal is something I think is possible in the current political climate, not all the other utopian ideas that have been presented. Being idealistic is a luxury that will not get you too far in politics. Sometimes you have to be pragmatic in your approach to achieve the desired goal. I think my proposal will achieve the goal.
I am just as disappointed as anyone that our president has chosen to do so little on this issue.
I don't believe you have a total grasp of reality here. I know you think your tax might help ... and I know your tax will not. I have so many cases in point that proves my belief and so do many others here.
ENFORCEMENT WORKS! Yep, everytime it is tried. We just have politicians (like you want to be), that go off in every other direction. Viewing the problem of illegal immigration as you do would cause you NOT to get a vote from me. End of story.
If anyone reading this (other than Rockitz) knows where I can go to become an active participant in changing what is happening to our beatiful state due to illegal immigration ... please let me know where to go to get active on this. I would rather be part of the solution than part of the problem.
Yes, we saw a fine example of that on 9-11-01.
Which is precisely why we have to stop the illegals from crossing into this country. If the INS didn't have their heads up their asses it wouldn't have happened. They were in hear "legally" which only shows that the battle must be fought at more than just the borders. We need to clean up the borders and the immigration statutes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.