Taxpaying Illegals?

I caught some of the Democratic debate this afternoon, bopping back-and-forth between that and the Packers-Seahawks game, missing the Packers' OT touchdown while watching Dean give a fairly lame answer on his God-talk gambit. You could also get on Gephardt for suggesting that we shouldn't use reservists, we should be using other countries troops that the Presidient has scared off; great red herring, but one that will play well in Iowa. Edwards deserves a chuckle for announcing that unlike Dean, he didn't have to learn about the South; he's playing for the South Carolina viewers.

However, one part that really will be blog-material is a responce Dean gave to a question on whether he'd favor amnesty for illegal immegrants. I don't have an exact quote, but Dean said that if they paid their taxes, raised their families and kept out of trouble, they deserve to be given amnesty.

Illegals don't pay much in the way of taxes, Dr. Dean. Sales tax, maybe, but most illegals are going to be paid under the table in cash, with the IRS not seeing the details. There may be some that work on forged Social Security cards and pay FICA, but you're not going to see too many illegals announcing their presence by paying income taxes.

[Update 1/5 5AM-The Evangelical Outpost points out that there's more than you'd think; read about the ITIN]

Comments

[Kevin Holtsberry]

You were watching a political debate, and a lame one at that, instead of an overtime football game? Shame on you Mark. I have always put sports before politics . . . Plus watching all those D's gives me a headache.

I guess you will get to see Al Harris's pick on replay.