Underground Economy

Recently I submitted our trusty old vacuum cleaner to one of our local businesses for some maintenance and a little repair. I utilize his services because I enjoy patronizing local as well as nurturing relationship with the proprietor who has become a friend over the years. When I lightheartedly protested his rather high fee, his too quick comeback was, “for cash you can give me …” I responded, “No I’ll use my credit card and pay the GST, and you can pay your taxes.” He smiled, obviously getting my message. On the spot, without any premeditation on my part, he now knew this friend is not one who might help him cheat the government out of what he needs to pay to stay in business.

This reminds me of a number of years ago, speaking with my brother about his business dealings here there and everywhere back in hometown Saskatchewan. He was telling me about some of his creative neighborly entrepreneurial activities which he openly labeled as underground economy. He is a charming relational person with many friends both in ‘high and low places’ (Garth Brooks?😊) and this is simply how he gets along. Come to think of it, I could now cite considerable other examples of people ‘making casual money.’ Over the years I have listened to many stories definitely among family members, often dramatically told among truck driver friends, and interestingly quite recently among fellow retirees - most of these fellow Christians, church members even! These cash deals are the fee for services in their area of expertise at reduced special rates. Good deal for all of us, yes? Who of us, especially of the Mennonite persuasion, does not appreciate a good deal? 

Aah there is the rub. I do not like this. And my dislike is coming to the fore especially as I hear this coming from fellow somewhat well heeled retirees. Many of these have already raised families and I wonder what is the mantra going forward in the headspaces of the next generation? Hey my friends, is this what we have taught our children? I am aware this may be my concern and my concern alone, not yet discussed with many around me. But here I am once more thinking about things. Many of you know my line, “I says it as I sees it." As a retired preacher I sometimes venture outside or slightly beyond the party lines. I am free to do that. Thank God we don't have thought control just yet, although artificial intelligence is working at it. Seems to me this one is about plain old personal integrity. 

Integrity also being challenged, well illustrated these last two years with coronavirus protocol. As the virus is making itself at home not only in our country but worldwide, there is of course a never ending cacophony of official and unofficial statements of numbers up or down, variants and vaccines, and of course enforcement or encouragement of lifestyle adjustments. Almost every change in protocol regulations is then followed by a yammer of self-righteous souls expressing their displeasure either with government or health care or church or other officials who got it all wrong, can’t you see! [This afternoon I walked across a piece of sidewalk with an offensive stencil, “vaxxing doesn’t work.” It was in capitals but I will not give it that much visibility here on my blog]. I mention our coronavirus chaos only to illustrate what threatens when new circumstances enter into already learned behavior patterns. 

The focus here is mainly on this illegal freedom of underground economy. The context obviously is us, all of us citizens, in this country at least, living with a democratically elected government mandated to provide all the necessities (comforts?) of an increasingly spoiled, self-righteous populace. The logic of democracy is that the chosen government has the authority to make decisions like the ones just mentioned. It has the responsibility to govern within parameters of our constitution. Within this populace, even those of religious persuasion also have teachings which would support this, eg Christians have Romans 13 in their Bible, Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities.  Even among denominational and interfaith variations there is probably agreement on an organizing principle here. So whether borne of logics or of religion, I submit that it behooves us, the citizenry, to think and act for the good of all.  Who then has the right to complain about Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB), about government childcare and taxes and/or incentives to support businesses and/or employment recovery? We all have the right actually. We can complain and we can vote, but we do not have the right to break the law especially if we think ourselves honorable citizens.

Now back to my opener about these little illegal freedoms. When half the country believes it’s okay to screw the government out of its rightful way of collecting the revenue to accomplish a mandated job it becomes a moral issue. And here these next several sentences my very own, I am appalled at some of my friends, Christian pro-private enterprise fellows who participate in shady income tax evasive schemes as though this is a legitimate protest against government. Yes, some of them even seek to justify former U.S. President Donald Trump not having paid income tax for eighteen years in his previous lifetime when he was a successful businessman! I shudder at this skewed logic! As a socialist Christian (Yes that’s me. See my recent post, “Private Enterprise Welfare,” Nov. 13) I also have some reserve about some of my 'progressive' brothers and sisters in my faith community deliberately avoiding income (at least on their tax returns, sometimes also by creative bookkeeping) to avoid paying war taxes. This is an occasion where I wish that we as Christians might take some healthy moral leadership rather than slimey tax evasion tactics. Faith based living can be a powerful contributor to mutual wellbeing in society around us. On this topic I recommend some further reading, Advocating for Peace: Stories from the Ottawa Office of Mennonite Central Committee, 1975 - 2008, by William Janzen (Kitchener, Pandora Press, 2019).

By virtue of personal faith claims we are no better and no worse than those who have no faith at all. It's our actions that matter. Would that the actions of us in faith communities, regardless of political leaning, not make fools of all of us! I find it interesting that in three of the gospels Jesus gives a consistent response to the question about taxes.“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. (Mark 12:17, cf  Matthew 22:21; Luke 20:25).  To those of us in the socialist persuasion I would say, Jesus knew the craftiness in the question. His answer suggests not to be presumptuous and be careful in claiming to know what belongs to God and to Caesar. I see no suggestion of tax evasion here. I see only integrity. I am amazed at this answer still. To those of the conservative private enterprise mindset, be careful that your actions not be merely self-righteousness politics, definitely a denial of your claims to citizenship in heaven. 😖 To all of us I see an invitation to be amazed and be honorable; not a sneaky schemer.

In three days I will have a small transaction with another neighborhood entrepreneur.  It’s a small amount, she also asking for cash, already told me it’s to avoid the fee. I may comply because she’s so polite and helpful. If I have the courage I may also ask her if it is to avoid income tax. No big deal ma’am. 😇 I’m just your friendly neighborhood retired preacher.