And we wonder why the world hates us

[Reynolds]

Mistake costs dishwasher $59,000 (http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/27/immigrant.money/index.html)

Basically this Venezuelan man worked here as a dishwasher for 11 years, making $5.50 ($5.75 after his raise), and raised $59,000. When he went to fly home, he failed to claim the money he was taking over (which must be done when it's over $10,000). Customs then seized the money. A newspaper started a fundraiser, and raised $9,000 to give him. The US told him if he kept quiet, they'd give him $10,000 and let him keep the $9,0000. He said no, he wanted all of his money. So now the IRS is trying to seize the donated $9k in order to cover taxes he didn't pay on the $59k he earned. He was saving the money to buy land and build a house for his mother and sisters.

Probably the most fucked up story I heard all year.

[meanmrbill]

This story is depressing on so many levels. Immigrants are already demonized enough. Just sad.

[Bulldogcakes]

This story is depressing on so many levels. Immigrants are already demonized enough. Just sad.

Yep, and its so brave to attack people who are the most poor and least able to defend themselves. Sickening.

[Thrice]

11 fucking years. 11. More than a decade of his life wasted in a foreign country washing motherfucking dishes all day every day just to save up enough money to become a farmer only to have it stolen from him on a technicality. This man wasn't asking for handouts. He wasn't a leech on the system. He wasn't a criminal. He was a man working a job. Plain and simple.

Absolutely disgusting story.

[A.J.]

Rules are made to be bent. Let the IRS take what he owes in back taxes and give him back the rest.

[ChrisTheCop]

I never wondered why the world hates us, but that is a sad story.

Now I know why he should hate us.

[LiddyRules]

What's sad is that a lot of people would probably cheer the government for doing this because he's an illegal immigrant and deserves nothing.

(I don't feel that way, I'm just saying a number of people probably would.)

[oh_kee_pa]

wait... so it's ok for him to not pay taxes on american earned money, then take the money he earns here to another country to put back into there economy?

no wonder why our econmy is fucked...

[DarkHippie]

wait... so it's ok for him to not pay taxes on american earned money, then take the money he earns here to another country to put back into there economy?

no wonder why our econmy is fucked...

they seized all of his money. They should give him back the 59,000 and take whatever portion of unpaid taxes he has out of the 9,000

[sailor]

i think everyone can agree on this one.

[lleeder]

i think everyone can agree on this one.

Yeah...good thing we got that money before he left.

[spoon]

Rules are made to be bent. Let the IRS take what he owes in back taxes and give him back the rest.

I disagree, I blame his employer most here and they should take the tax hit if they were paying a poor man under the table/taking advantage of him.

[furie]

I disagree, I blame his employer most here and they should take the tax hit if they were paying a poor man under the table/taking advantage of him.

that's the only sensible thing said in this thread

[patsopinion]

nope
I wake up every day questioning why the rest of the world doesn't hate us more

[Zorro]

I disagree, I blame his employer most here and they should take the tax hit if they were paying a poor man under the table/taking advantage of him.

The back taxes on this would probably be really small. After the standard deduction and one dependent (himself) he'll probably qualify for an earned income credit. The only thing this guy's gonna owe is his share of social security (roughly 7.5%) Chances are we'll owe him money

[lleeder]

I bet he had the money in a garbage bag all in singles.

[scottinnj]

I disagree, I blame his employer most here and they should take the tax hit if they were paying a poor man under the table/taking advantage of him.


Yeah, what the hell? I am so sick and tired of employers skating on this topic. Immigrants wouldn't be here illegally if it weren't for these people hiring them. And I have heard the "they just do the jobs Americans don't want to do" argument, and if it's true, we have a bunch of lazy high school kids then. I cut grass and framed houses when I was a kid, and my sisters all worked in restaraunts and hotels doing dishes and housekeeping. I live near Ocean City, NJ, and see kids up there selling fudge and pizza who are from Russia and Ireland.

My point is, if you are an employer, and you hire an illegal knowingly to skate on paying the person a decent wage, or pay the taxes, you should be liable for that loss of revenue to the government, not the employee. The employee makes an agreement or contract with the employer to work a certain job for certain pay. It's not the employee's responsibility to pay the income taxes. He is not a subcontractor, he is an employee. The employer has the repsonsiblity to do that, that is why he is licensed to operate his business and has a tax ID issued to him.

I want illegal immigration stopped, but to beat up on those who come here to make money for their families back home is ridiculous and cruel. Go after the employers, and the market for these shadow jobs will disappear and so will the incentive to come here to find work. That will solve a lot of the immigration problem, and the border patrol can concentrate on criminals and drug dealers crossing over the border.

[scottinnj]

The back taxes on this would probably be really small. After the standard deduction and one dependent (himself) he'll probably qualify for an earned income credit. The only thing this guy's gonna owe is his share of social security (roughly 7.5%) Chances are we'll owe him money


59,000 over 11 years is 5363 dollars a year.

He owes 402 dollars a year in Social Security.

There should be no other taxes he owes, he is way within the EIC window.

All in all roughly 4500 should have been taken from him in "back taxes" if any at all.
It should be taken from the employer, who was obligated to deduct it from his payroll and pay the government in the first place.

[A.J.]

Rules are made to be bent. Let the IRS take what he owes in back taxes and give him back the rest.

I disagree, I blame his employer most here and they should take the tax hit if they were paying a poor man under the table/taking advantage of him.

That too of course.

[FUNKMAN]

Yeah, what the hell? I am so sick and tired of employers skating on this topic. Immigrants wouldn't be here illegally if it weren't for these people hiring them. And I have heard the "they just do the jobs Americans don't want to do" argument, and if it's true, we have a bunch of lazy high school kids then. I cut grass and framed houses when I was a kid, and my sisters all worked in restaraunts and hotels doing dishes and housekeeping. I live near Ocean City, NJ, and see kids up there selling fudge and pizza who are from Russia and Ireland.

My point is, if you are an employer, and you hire an illegal knowingly to skate on paying the person a decent wage, or pay the taxes, you should be liable for that loss of revenue to the government, not the employee. The employee makes an agreement or contract with the employer to work a certain job for certain pay. It's not the employee's responsibility to pay the income taxes. He is not a subcontractor, he is an employee. The employer has the repsonsiblity to do that, that is why he is licensed to operate his business and has a tax ID issued to him.

I want illegal immigration stopped, but to beat up on those who come here to make money for their families back home is ridiculous and cruel. Go after the employers, and the market for these shadow jobs will disappear and so will the incentive to come here to find work. That will solve a lot of the immigration problem, and the border patrol can concentrate on criminals and drug dealers crossing over the border.

it's good in theory but the employer will argue he will not be able to make enough profit and may have to close his business

some of the problems going on here are alot of americans are accustomed to a certain standard of living. the illegal immigrants are willing to live 10 or more to a dwelling whereas most americans like 'their space' for lack of a better word. So if you split rent 10 ways as oppose to 1 or 2 then the illegal immigrants can afford to get paid less. the illegal immigrant is not looking for the luxuries most americans are accustomed to like premium cable, 2 bathrooms, taking vaction twice a year or more, just to name a few...

the illegal immigrant is also being housed somewhere so in essence you also have to go after their landlords

just another little piece of the puzzle

[sr71blackbird]

Yeah, what the hell? I am so sick and tired of employers skating on this topic. Immigrants wouldn't be here illegally if it weren't for these people hiring them. And I have heard the "they just do the jobs Americans don't want to do" argument, and if it's true, we have a bunch of lazy high school kids then. I cut grass and framed houses when I was a kid, and my sisters all worked in restaraunts and hotels doing dishes and housekeeping. I live near Ocean City, NJ, and see kids up there selling fudge and pizza who are from Russia and Ireland.

My point is, if you are an employer, and you hire an illegal knowingly to skate on paying the person a decent wage, or pay the taxes, you should be liable for that loss of revenue to the government, not the employee. The employee makes an agreement or contract with the employer to work a certain job for certain pay. It's not the employee's responsibility to pay the income taxes. He is not a subcontractor, he is an employee. The employer has the repsonsiblity to do that, that is why he is licensed to operate his business and has a tax ID issued to him.

I want illegal immigration stopped, but to beat up on those who come here to make money for their families back home is ridiculous and cruel. Go after the employers, and the market for these shadow jobs will disappear and so will the incentive to come here to find work. That will solve a lot of the immigration problem, and the border patrol can concentrate on criminals and drug dealers crossing over the border.

Well said, I agree 100%

[cougarjake13]

they should take whatever taxes he shoulda paid and let him have the rest and then if he wants to ever come back he has to go through the process of being a citizen

[Zorro]

it's good in theory but the employer will argue he will not be able to make enough profit and may have to close his business


If the employer can't run a legal business then he should close. Not paying taxes and paying under minimum wage gives him an unfair advantage over companies that follow the law. He should also be fined the $10,000 for hiring an illegal.

America needs to get off the fence when it comes to illegal immigration. Bring them into the system. All this anti-illegal sentiment going on now is being fomented by corporations that are using illegals to lower the wages of all workers.

[scottinnj]

it's good in theory but the employer will argue he will not be able to make enough profit and may have to close his business

Tough. I'm a capitalist. Someone will have to lose. That sounds cruel, but most businesses that fail in America do not equate a family losing their home and living in their Navigator.

some of the problems going on here are alot of americans are accustomed to a certain standard of living. the illegal immigrants are willing to live 10 or more to a dwelling whereas most americans like 'their space' for lack of a better word. So if you split rent 10 ways as oppose to 1 or 2 then the illegal immigrants can afford to get paid less. the illegal immigrant is not looking for the luxuries most americans are accustomed to like premium cable, 2 bathrooms, taking vaction twice a year or more, just to name a few...

the illegal immigrant is also being housed somewhere so in essence you also have to go after their landlords

just another little piece of the puzzle

The whole housing thing is out of control too. Go after the landlords, and you'll get fried in the press.
Ask O'Reilly.


The whole thing is a mess, and nobody has the guts to fix it. And it just seems that some people want the "wink, wink, nudge nudge" policy we have now to just go on and on and on.

[DarkHippie]

If the employer can't run a legal business then he should close. Not paying taxes and paying under minimum wage gives him an unfair advantage over companies that follow the law. He should also be fined the $10,000 for hiring an illegal.

America needs to get off the fence when it comes to illegal immigration. Bring them into the system. All this anti-illegal sentiment going on now is being fomented by corporations that are using illegals to lower the wages of all workers.

There are very few businesses that can afford to not break the law. Not saying its right, it just is.

[SatCam]

Tough. I'm a capitalist. Someone will have to lose. That sounds cruel, but most businesses that fail in America do not equate a family losing their home and living in their Navigator.

A true capitalist wouldnt agree with the government taxing businesses

[Bulldogcakes]

There are very few businesses that can afford to not break the law. Not saying its right, it just is.

Just try getting rid of all the illegals and see what happens. See how many small businesses close, see how much it costs for a sandwich, see how much more it costs to get construction work of any kind done. The fact is many of the people bitching about illegals have a better lifestyle and higher standard of living because of them. You can afford things that you never would be able to without them. You want to get rid of illegals? Be careful, you just might get what you wish for.

[sailor]

i've worked for hotels and restaurants for 7+ years and everyone employed was legal and paid taxes, so it can be done. not everyone needs to break the law.

[Zorro]

There are very few businesses that can afford to not break the law. Not saying its right, it just is.

You say this like it's a fact. When it;s really just your opinion. Businesses break the law because they can. Not because they have to.

[Zorro]

Just try getting rid of all the illegals and see what happens. See how many small businesses close, see how much it costs for a sandwich, see how much more it costs to get construction work of any kind done. The fact is many of the people bitching about illegals have a better lifestyle and higher standard of living because of them. You can afford things that you never would be able to without them. You want to get rid of illegals? Be careful, you just might get what you wish for.

Same argument used by the Confederacy.

[scottinnj]

A true capitalist wouldnt agree with the government taxing businesses


I don't, but since the government does, I have no problem with the lobbyists. In fact, the whole campaign financing structure is dumb. You as a taxpayer or a corporation as a taxpayer should be allowed to donate any amount of money you see fit to any candidate in the field.

If not, then we should just scrap the whole thing and go to a fixed system where each candidate gets an equal amount of money, and that is all that is allowed................
.............except for that pesky First Amendment.

Having said that, even though I don't have a problem with lobbyists, I do have a problem with candidates putting the people second, and lobbyists first. On both sides.

[Sneaky Fucking Russian]

Wow! That sucks! How does that guy not get a gun and start killing people?

[drjoek]

If he was here for 11 years and saved $59000 that means that he made quite a bit more that he lived on and paid no taxes on. I wouldn't mind going through life not paying taxes. Im sure if he was here he used medical services more than once that he didnt pay for that the hospitol rolled over to us paying customers with insurance that i pay for. He may have children here all of whom were educated here without cost and they went to the hospital clinic same as him with out paying. So his untimate goal was to take all this money and build a house back in Venezuela. A newspaper tries to help him out and raise money and he gets defensive and wants it all. Yeah it seems he WANTS IT ALL and not have to pay like the rest of us. Cry me a fucking river.

[Freitag]

Yeah, what the hell? I am so sick and tired of employers skating on this topic. Immigrants wouldn't be here illegally if it weren't for these people hiring them. And I have heard the "they just do the jobs Americans don't want to do" argument, and if it's true, we have a bunch of lazy high school kids then. I cut grass and framed houses when I was a kid, and my sisters all worked in restaraunts and hotels doing dishes and housekeeping. I live near Ocean City, NJ, and see kids up there selling fudge and pizza who are from Russia and Ireland.

My point is, if you are an employer, and you hire an illegal knowingly to skate on paying the person a decent wage, or pay the taxes, you should be liable for that loss of revenue to the government, not the employee.



I assumed those kids from Russia and Ireland were here legally... am I wrong?

[led37zep]

I don't, but since the government does, I have no problem with the lobbyists. In fact, the whole campaign financing structure is dumb. You as a taxpayer or a corporation as a taxpayer should be allowed to donate any amount of money you see fit to any candidate in the field.

If not, then we should just scrap the whole thing and go to a fixed system where each candidate gets an equal amount of money, and that is all that is allowed................
.............except for that pesky First Amendment.

Having said that, even though I don't have a problem with lobbyists, I do have a problem with candidates putting the people second, and lobbyists first. On both sides.

There was a time when I would be so damn passionate about a topic like this but I'm just fucking tired of all the bullshit that comes with politics. Who donates to who, who said what 10 years ago, who's wearing what pin on their shirt. It fucking annoys me.

That being said...

What some people don't understand is that if a group (say Cancer patients) formed an organization to create and shape legislation they would be, by definition, a lobby. So when people make blanket statements like "we need to get the lobbyists out of Washington" they are in fact talking about removing a voice from the people. The problem is most people associate lobbyists with big tobacco, oil, or whatever else they deem "evil" and forget that they aren't all bad. A lobby is a yet another arm of the political process since its impossible for a representative to hear from all of his/her constituents.

[Crispy123]

And we wonder why the world hates us

Just hate the world back...it works for me.

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