The Underground Economy

Being part of the recently unemployed masses here in Michigan, a little more worldly now than say ten years ago, I have found the underground economy.

It raises some ethical questions. Why? Because the law can't stand it.

The underground economy for those who don't know is the transfer of monies or services without record or taxation applied.

I have heard of this before but never in action as much as it is now.

I have heard "rumors" of doctors avoiding the hassle of the insurance claim system and the atrocious effect the insurance industry has on health care on the whole, and taking goods and services in it's stead for treatment rendered.

Re-read the above paragraph, I said doctors. This isn't just those malpractice magnets you imagined when you read the above, this is leaders in their fields at prestigious hospitals.

This is disturbing, for one I would COMMEND any doctor willing to take this path showing care for those uninsured or unable to afford coverage for health treatment or more often than not, not covered by some technicality of the insurance company.

But back to point. Aside from my theoretical example of the underground economy above, this occurs in virtually every business field in existence in one form or another.

A tile contractors completes some work for a another contractor without cost, the contractor later gives the tile guy a new set of tile cutters he came across.

A guy fixes someones computer for a case of beer.

A hairdresser cuts hair for free for a year but gets their salon painted for free....you get the idea

This has always happened so what's the big deal?

Well now it's happening with high level professional fields where previously it would have been considered unethical or immoral but now seen as a viable resolution to the increasing ridiculous demands of bureaucracy, red tape, the criminal insurance industry or the crippled economy as a whole.

Read that again, this means the economy is now significantly more fucked up than its ever been.

But this again has always been happening. Big business has ALWAYS used it.

What? Think I am making that up?

Just ask the bidder who takes a potential client to the tittie bar for a few free lap dances if this has ever happened in big business.
They will let you know ALL about it. How much it cost them, how they explained the cost on the books and how it got them the contract in the end.

I knew one guy who always demanded being taken to Hooters for business meetings.
How lame is that? But I digress.

The higher the office, the bigger and usually more criminal the underground economy transfer.

But when normal, ethical citizens decide this is the way to go, since it's the only way they can survive month to month, it can be seen as a huge flashing red light indicator that the "above board" economy is headed for the toilet el pronto.

Strangely enough there is very little on the underground economy I could find on the net.

I am not saying its not talked about but it just doesn't seem to be a hot topic.
More of a scholastic argument for a thesis paper or someone hawking their book on it.

Here was a relatively good one though from 2002

So whats my point? I guess I don't really have much of one other than this is yet another indicator of the poor ass economy.

If "I" start to see it with how limited my "streetwise" capabilities are, it must be pretty prevalent.

Where do you see it?

Illegal activities? Under the counter deals? Swapping services? Grandma not claiming her casino winnings?



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