The Hidden Economy

          When most people here about the underground economy they think about the black market.  This is not the case though.  The hidden economy is system of workers who can not find a full-time employment.  These people are usually paid in cash for doing certain tasks and all this is done without the government's knowledge of the transaction taking place.  Some examples of this are paying housekeepers, the hiring of illegal immigrants, and one day construction tasks.
          The hidden economy can be beneficial in several different ways.  It can help support the actual economy by providing the working class extra spending money to put into the economy.  It can also allow workers to provide for their families even though many people loss work hours.  Also the income that you make in the hidden economy is tax free because the government does not know about the transaction that took place.
          The underground economy can be detrimental for several different reasons.  The first is that it causes the government to loss money so they increase taxes to make up for the money lost in the hidden economy.  Secondly, the hidden economy usually leads to increased drug issues and other violent crimes.  Thirdly, those who participate in the hidden economy don't receive Social Security and health benefits for the tasks they are doing.