JOE LEGAL vs. JOSE ILLEGAL

JOE LEGAL vs. JOSE ILLEGAL

  You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal". Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California .
   Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.
   Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".

  Ready? Now pay attention...

• Joe Legal: $25.00 per hour x 40 hours = $1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has $31,231.00.
• Jose Illegal: $15.00 per hour x 40 hours = $600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has $31,200.00.
• Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $24,031.00.
• Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
• Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.
• Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.
• Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00.
• Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.
• Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.
• Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.
• Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.
• Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.
• Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.
• Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.
• Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school.
• Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.
• Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.
• Do you get it, now?