Living standards in Europe 2018
in Economy ·
The data coming out of Gallup really gives you pause. It makes you wonder—why don't our national statistics ever reflect what’s actually happening on the ground? It’s pretty simple, really. It's all because of the massive shadow economy. If I were calculating anything, I’d probably just shave 20% to 40% off the top of everything to get a real number. Just look at a recent piece in The New York Times about people from the Midwest heading out on summer vacation; one couple mentioned they wouldn't have even been able to afford a trip to the Florida coast if they hadn't made some extra cash under the table.
I have to ask you guys—what are seasonal workers actually making for small business owners down in Florida? What's the actual take-home pay after everything is said and done?
Will you really get a formal receipt for a scoop of ice cream while walking along the Boardwalk in a small town?
Or maybe an official invoice for a tiling job over in a place like St. Louis?
What about a receipt for a round of mini-golf on a getaway island?
There's just no way those numbers show up in the official stats.
We aren't some accidental nation, but we certainly are a nation of absurdities.
I have to ask you guys—what are seasonal workers actually making for small business owners down in Florida? What's the actual take-home pay after everything is said and done?
Will you really get a formal receipt for a scoop of ice cream while walking along the Boardwalk in a small town?
Or maybe an official invoice for a tiling job over in a place like St. Louis?
What about a receipt for a round of mini-golf on a getaway island?
There's just no way those numbers show up in the official stats.
We aren't some accidental nation, but we certainly are a nation of absurdities.