Recession or Depression?

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by Ldyluck88

I apologize if I have offended a few people by my post. Where I lived in the desert, many were paid under the table and did not pay taxes, etc. I should not have generalized, my fault. But, I am entitled to my opinion, like anyone else, and I will try to watch how I state things from now on.

The employer did not pay taxes, social security pension fund, health insurance, disability, etc. In addition, the employer gets the pleasure of having the worker do whatever or else report them, These people work in inhumane conditions.

If this wasn't a good deal for those honest employers, then this would not be a problem.

I am sure if you go to this place you speak of they would hire you. I say go for it.

And yes, we are all entitled to our opinions. But "I" prefer that racist remarks be left in the confine of our homes.

[Ldyluck88]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

And yes, we are all entitled to our opinions. But "I" prefer that racist remarks be left in the confine of our homes.

I am not a racist if you are "assuming" I am. I apologized for the remark, but in no way does that make me a racist and did not appreciate you refering to me as one!! Enough said.

[christie]

I once worked for an employer in TN who made a practice of hiring employees who had "questionable documentation". While the documents they presented for I9 requirements had one name, they went by another and every year, the Department of Social Security would send a list of employees whose provided social security numbers did not match official records.

We were required to post the list and ask the employees to contact SS to resolve the issue. For the two years I was there, the list was the same and the employees listed were also the same.

These employees did have social security and medicare taxes withdrawn from their pay, but all of them had completed W-4's in a manner that no federal tax was withheld. TN doesn't have a state income tax, so there was no contribution to the state except in the sales tax they paid on purchases.

Of course, the employer paid matching SS and medicare taxes along with FUTA and SUTA.

I left employment there based on some other questionable activities that I could not be a party to once I became aware of them.

Of course, there are many employers who do have unofficial employees who are paid off the books or as 1099-MISC independent contractor. There are no employment taxes (SS, Medicare, SUTA or FUTA) paid nor are these folks eligible for any benefits.

Several years later, at a different employer, I was able to assist one of our employees in gaining his citizenship. The expense, things he had to learn, the process was so overwhelming even to me. Some of the things he had to learn to "pass the test" were questions that I had to look up - things that I am not even sure were covered in my many years of education.

It took him a good 5 years to obtain his citizenship and I was honored that he asked me to attend the ceremony. I watched as 51 people from 26 different countries took the oath of citizenship and it struck me as to how much they wanted to be a part of the country that we so often bitch and moan about - that they went through the ordeal to have some of the very rights we do have and take for granted. It was humbling, to say the least.

I still have a ring that he gave me as a thank you present that he purchased on his first trip back to visit his family (what was left of it) in Iraq. There are times when I am digging in my jewelry box that I come across it and think about Khalid and what becoming a citizen meant to him.

A slight derail to the topic at hand, I know, but I felt important to mention that while I understand non documented persons are just trying to feed their families and survive as the rest of us do, this issue does add to the overall economic issues.

Its not about racism, but more that I feel it needs to be easier, less costly for a person to become documented. I feel we need to make it more difficult for employers to "pay under the table" so that it solves both issues - the worker who works for meager pennies and the employer who surely uses this power he has over the worker to his advantage.

More to the topic at hand, the industry in which I work has historically shown economic trends 3-6 months before other industries. Q1, we have shown a 11% increase in sales, many "new business", which based on our 57 year history, indicates that we should see an upswing in the economy in the next 3-6 months. I watched the ebb and flow of our business last year and the 3-6 month theory held pretty well. It makes me hopeful.

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by Ldyluck88

I am not a racist if you are "assuming" I am. I apologized for the remark, but in no way does that make me a racist and did not appreciate you refering to me as one!! Enough said.

I am not "assuming" anything, besides I am not the only one who got that from your comments and lack of sensitivity.

Most racist don't think they are being racists. I am not saying this is the case with you, but I invite you to take a closer look at your moral compass.

I will also invite you to look around this forum and see how low the tolerance is for "racist" remarks. There is a plethora of them available to anyone wishing to spew them, either directly or indirectly. This does not make them ok.

Your apology did not ring true to me, I am sorry but that is MY opinion.

As a member of the Latin community, I found your comments offensive.

[turasultana]

Taking this to another direction.. I just came out of a 1 1/2 hour presentation on consumer trends and the economy.

There's a free white paper (haven't looked at it yet but I believe its the same subject matter of the presentation) here: http://www.darwiniangale.com (edit: just looked and you have to fill in info to get it, be forewarned).

Basically how we've gone from an age of indulgence to an age of consequence where folks are more aware of the consequence of risk. They will still spend but prioritize their spending more and shop on value not just price.

Technically we're no longer in a recession but slow growth recovery (with bumps in the road).

Anyway, not going to bore you will all the details, but I took notes

[Ldyluck88]

Originally Posted by turasultana

Taking this to another direction.. I just came out of a 1 1/2 hour presentation on consumer trends and the economy.

There's a free white paper (haven't looked at it yet but I believe its the same subject matter of the presentation) here: http://www.darwiniangale.com (edit: just looked and you have to fill in info to get it, be forewarned).

Basically how we've gone from an age of indulgence to an age of consequence where folks are more aware of the consequence of risk. They will still spend but prioritize their spending more and shop on value not just price.

Technically we're no longer in a recession but slow growth recovery (with bumps in the road).

Anyway, not going to bore you will all the details, but I took notes

Thank you for your post. I guess it may depend on where you live. Here in CA, it said: The number of people unemployed in California is 2,308,00--up by 31,000 over the month, and up by 362,000 compared to March of last year.
I hope you are right and jobs do become available to people. The government needs to find a way to create new jobs to help the economy grow once again. Keeping my fingers crossed!!

[SuperFemme]

In these types of conversations I often wonder why nobody brings up all the undocumented workers who DO pay taxes, pay into Social Security and Disability but can never file for those tax benefits?

The amount is astronomical.

[julieisafemme]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

In these types of conversations I often wonder why nobody brings up all the undocumented workers who DO pay taxes, pay into Social Security and Disability but can never file for those tax benefits?

The amount is astronomical.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! Bit also brought this up a page or so back.

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

In these types of conversations I often wonder why nobody brings up all the undocumented workers who DO pay taxes, pay into Social Security and Disability but can never file for those tax benefits?

The amount is astronomical.

And that they buy food and gas and clothing and merchandise and services that contribute to the economy and to the tax base.

It's difficult to rant about a group of people sucking the life force out of the US economy if you have to acknowledge that they contribute to that economy. Better to just ignore the facts that are inconvenient.

[Ldyluck88]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

I am not "assuming" anything, besides I am not the only one who got that from your comments and lack of sensitivity.

Most racist don't think they are being racists. I am not saying this is the case with you, but I invite you to take a closer look at your moral compass.

I will also invite you to look around this forum and see how low the tolerance is for "racist" remarks. There is a plethora of them available to anyone wishing to spew them, either directly or indirectly. This does not make them ok.

Your apology did not ring true to me, I am sorry but that is MY opinion.

As a member of the Latin community, I found your comments offensive.

I already apologized, and you will not give it a rest. I feel you are now beating a dead horse, let it die!! A new day, that was yesterday, it's gone and one cannot live in the past. DO NOT judge me, that is in God's hands, and tho you are entitled to you opinion, I too am entitled to mine. Btw, it is not up to you to question my morality, nor is it mine to question yours. Can you pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee stop all these negative comments now???? I read your "opinions', so noted, time to move on now, ok?